แต่ก่อน

dtɛ̀ɛ-gɔ̀ɔn

Meaning

1AdverbA2

formerly; previously; in the old days

at an earlier time in the past; back then; used to describe how things were before

Examples

แต่ก่อนdtɛ̀ɛ-gɔ̀ɔnแต่ก่อนdtɛ̀ɛ-gɔ̀ɔnformerly; previously; in the old daysตรงนี้dtrong-níiตรงนี้dtrong-níi1here; right here2this place/spot; this location3this part; this section; this pointเป็นbpenเป็นbpen1to be (identity/category/state)2to become3[to] know how; be able to (skill)4alive; living5[to] have; suffer from; be in (a condition)ทุ่งนาtûng-naaทุ่งนาtûng-naarice field; paddy field
Back then, this area was a field.
3 more examples
แต่ก่อนdtɛ̀ɛ-gɔ̀ɔnฉันchǎnเคยkəəiตื่นdtʉ̀ʉnเช้าcháoทุกวันtúk-wan
Back then, I used to wake up early every day.
แต่ก่อนdtɛ̀ɛ-gɔ̀ɔnถนนtà-nǒnเส้นsênนี้níiรถrótไม่ติดmâi-dtìtขนาดนี้kà-nàat-níi
Back then, this road wasn't this congested.
แต่ก่อนdtàe gònเราraoต้องdtôngเขียนkĭianจดหมายjòt măaiหาhăaกันganไม่เหมือนmâi mĕuuanตอนนี้dton néeที่têeโทรคุยtoh kuiกันganได้เลยdâai loei
Back then, we had to write letters to each other, unlike now when we can just call.

Tones

See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.

2 syllables · pick one to see its rule

How the tone is decided

  1. Consonant classMid class
  2. Tone markMai ek
  3. Syllable endingLive syllableNot needed here: the tone mark decides.

Mid class consonants

กจฎฏดตบปอ

Result

Low tone

dtɛ̀ɛ

Starts low and stays low, easing slightly down.

Mid class + Mai ek → Low

Tone chart

Every class and spelling pattern, with this syllable outlined.

Mid classHigh classLow class
No mark + liveMidRisingMid
No mark + dead shortLowLowHigh
No mark + dead longLowLowFalling
Mai ekLowLowFalling
Mai thoFallingFallingHigh
Mai triHigh——
Mai chattawaRising——
Work out any syllable's tone in the tone calculator

Word Breakdown

แต่dtɛ̀ɛแต่dtɛ̀ɛ1but; however (contrast)2only; just (restriction)3from; since (starting point)but; however (contrast)Part 1
+
ก่อนgɔ̀ɔnก่อนgɔ̀ɔn1before; earlier; previously; first2previous; prior; formerbefore; earlier; previously; firstPart 2
แต่ก่อนdtɛ̀ɛ-gɔ̀ɔnแต่ก่อนdtɛ̀ɛ-gɔ̀ɔnformerly; previously; in the old daysformerly; previously; in the old daysWord

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