Thai Word For The Past?

[uptou]

do thais have a specific word for the past?

when my freind talks about things that have happened not so long ago,she says 'before,before' in english,& if its a long time ago its,'before,before,before,before'.

it always makes me smile.

[Farma]

The word I hear used a lot to describe the past is Sa mai gon สมัยก่อน

[patri]

do thais have a specific word for the past?

when my freind talks about things that have happened not so long ago,she says 'before,before' in english,& if its a long time ago its,'before,before,before,before'.

it always makes me smile.

also เมื่อก่อน (Mue Kno), อดีต (Adeet), etc...

[jdinasia]

muea gorn .... amongst many .... how far in the past?

Edited May 24, 2007 by jdinasia

[mangkorn]

muea gorn .... amongst many .... how far in the past?

I think "meua gorn" would apply to the more recent past; while "samai gorn" applies to history.

The first would be something in your lifetime, for example; the second could be akin to "the olden days."

[Johpa]

muea gorn .... amongst many .... how far in the past?

Mua kon is closer to "previously" or "before" and depends upon context as to how far in the past it refers. It is often used to denote a change, as in "before you use to be an honest person but now I don't trust you.

Samai kon refers to a set period of time in the past that the speaker feels no longer exists due to change, again context is need for the details. Sort of like "once upon a time."

Adit is closer to "the past" in a more technical or historical sense.

[soundman]

เมื่อกี้ - meua gee - a short while ago (ie earlier today)

เมื่อก่อน - meua gorn - a while ago (ie yesterday, last week etc.)

นานมาแล้ว - nahn mah lairow - a long time ago (ie last year)

Cheers,

Soundman.

Edited May 26, 2007 by soundman