Daily Thai Confidence — Using ต้อง (dtâwng)

Modal Verb: ต้อง (dtâwng)
Meaning: must / have to / need to / required to

In this Thai lesson, we will learn how to use the word ต้อง (dtâwng), which is commonly translated as ‘must,’ ‘have to,’ ‘need to,’ or ‘required to’. It is used to express obligation (rules, duties, strong advice), necessity (something is necessary), or strong certainty (logical conclusion), and it is one of the most important words in everyday Thai.

Since ต้อง (dtâwng) is a modal verb used to show that an action is necessary, it is placed before the main verb in a sentence. The typical structure usually follows the pattern: subject + ต้อง (dtâwng) + main verb (+ complement — a word or phrase that gives more information about the verb).

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

chǎn dtâwng dtèun-nāwn dtàe-cháo p^hrûng-née
Literal: I have to wake-sleep since-morning tomorrow.
I have to wake up early tomorrow morning.

The main clause ฉันต้องตื่นนอน (chǎn dtâwng dtèun-nāwn = I have to wake up) is structurally complete on its own. The speaker adds extra information with the time expressions แต่เช้า (dtàe-cháo = early in the morning) and พรุ่งนี้ (p^hrûng-née = tomorrow), which modify the main verb ตื่นนอน (dtèun-nāwn = to wake up) by explaining when the action must happen. Together, they tell us that the waking up must happen early tomorrow morning.

k^hǎo dtâwng bpāi t^hêe-t^hām-ngāan p^hêua āo àek-gà-sǎan
Literal: He has to go place-do-work for get document.
He has to go to the office to get the documents.

The main clause เขาต้องไปที่ทำงาน (k^hǎo dtâwng bpāi t^hêe-t^hām-ngāan = he has to go to the office) is structurally complete on its own. The speaker adds extra information with a purpose clause เพื่อเอาเอกสาร (p^hêua āo àek-gà-sǎan = in order to get the documents), which explains why he is going to the office. Please note: The preposition เพื่อ (p^hêua) means ‘in order to,’ ‘for the purpose of,’ or ‘for the sake of’. It is used to introduce a purpose clause, showing why an action happens. It connects an action to its purpose. It can be followed by a verb, verb phrase, or sometimes a noun — main clause + เพื่อ (p^hêua) + purpose clause.

p^hǒm dtâwng rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi p^hrót wâa p^hǒm jà bpāi t^hām-ngāan t^hêe bprà-t^hâed Thāi bpēe ^hnâa
Literal: I have to learn language Thai because I will go do-work in country Thai year next.
I need to learn Thai because I’m going to work in Thailand next year.

The main clause ผมต้องเรียนภาษาไทย (p^hǒm dtâwng rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi = I need to learn Thai language) is structurally complete on its own. The speaker adds extra information with a purpose clause เพราะว่าผมจะไปทำงานที่ประเทศไทยปีหน้า (p^hrót wâa p^hǒm jà bpāi t^hām-ngāan t^hêe bprà-t^hâed Thāi bpēe ^hnâa = because I’m going to work in Thailand next year), which explains why the action of learning Thai is necessary. Please note: The word หน้า (^hnâa) is highly versatile in Thai, and its meaning depends on the context. It can function as a noun meaning ‘face’ when referring to the physical front of the head. It can also mean ‘page’ when referring to pages inside books, notebooks, or documents. Other times, it can function as a preposition of place meaning ‘in front of’. In this case, it is shortened from the word ข้างหน้า (k^hâang-^hnâa). It can also function as an adjective, like in this sentence, meaning ‘next’. In this usage, it usually placed after a time word — time word + หน้า (^hnâa). For examples: สัปดาห์หน้า (sàb-dāa ^hnâa = next week); เดือนหน้า (dēuan ^hnâa = next month); ปีหน้า (bpēe ^hnâa = next year); วันจันทร์หน้า (wān jān ^hnâa = next Monday) etc.

t^hēr dtâwng t^hām-ngāan wān sǎo née
Literal: She has to do-work day of Saturn this.
She has to work this Saturday.

The main clause เธอต้องทำงาน (t^hēr dtâwng t^hām-ngāan = she has to work) is structurally complete on its own. The speaker adds extra information with an adverbial clause of time วันเสาร์นี้ (wān sǎo née = this Saturday), which indicates when the action must happen.

Practise putting your newly learned Thai word into a sentence by translating the following sentences below.

1. I have to do my Thai homework today.
2. We need to buy groceries this afternoon.
3. She has to call her parents tonight.
4. He has to go to the bank to withdraw money.
5. They must prepare the documents for the meeting.

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Urai Khomkham

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