Daily Thai Confidence — Using รอ (rāw)

Verb: รอ (rāw)
Meaning: to wait

In this Thai lesson, we learn how to use the verb รอ (rāw), which means ‘to wait’. It is used whenever someone pauses or waits for something to happen or for someone to arrive. Since it is a verb, it is placed after the subject of the sentence.

The typical structure usually follows the pattern: subject + รอ (rāw).

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

(chǎn rāw p^hêuan ^awyùu t^hêe ráan gāa-fāe bpēn wāy-lāa nāan)
Literal: I wait friend to be situated at shop coffee to be time long time.
I waited for my friend at the coffee shop for a long time.

The preposition of time เป็นเวลา (bpēn wāy-lāa) means ‘for,’ and it is used to indicate how long something lasts, similar to the English preposition ‘for’ when talking about duration. Since it is a preposition of time, it is always followed by duration of time — เป็นเวลา (bpēn wāy-lāa) + time duration. For example: ฉันรอเป็นเวลา 10 นาที (chǎn rāw bpēn wāy-lāa 10 nāa-t^hēe = I waited for 10 minutes.); เขาเรียนภาษาไทยเป็นเวลา 3 ปี (k^hǎo rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi bpēn wāy-lāa 3 bpēe = He studied Thai for 3 years.); เขาทำงานที่บริษัทนี้เป็นเวลา 5 ปีแล้ว (k^hǎo t^hām-ngāan t^hêe bāw-rí-sád née bpēn wāy-lāa 5 bpēe = He has worked at this company for 5 years now.), etc.

(k^hǎo gām-lāng rāw hâi t^hēr t^hōo glàb)
Literal: He currently wait for her call back.
He is waiting for her to call back.

The helping verb กำลัง (gām-lāng) is often placed before the main verb to show that the action is happening right now, similar to the English present continuous tense. It is like saying ‘in process of’ doing the verb that followed — subject + กำลัง (gām-lāng) + main verb. For example: เขากำลังทำอาหารเย็นอยู่ข้างหลังบ้าน (k^hǎo gām-lāng t^hām āa-hǎan-yēn ^awyùu k^hâang-^hlǎng bâan = He is making dinner at the back of the house.); คุณกำลังทำอะไร (k^hūn gām-lāng t^hām à-rāi? = What are you doing?), etc.

(k^hūn gām-lāng rāw k^hrāi?)
Literal: You currently wait for who?
Who are you waiting for?

The word อยู่ (^awyùu) often functions as a linking verb meaning ‘to be,’ ‘is,’ ‘am,’ or ‘are’ and is used to indicate where someone or something is located. When it is used in this way, it is often followed by a preposition, then a location — subject + อยู่ (^awyùu) + preposition of place + noun for location. For example: ฉันกำลังอยู่ที่บ้านตอนนี้ (chǎn gām-lāng ^awyùu t^hêe bâan dtāwn-née = I am at home.). However, อยู่ (^awyùu) can also function as a helping verb to show that the action in ‘currently in process’ — just like the helping verb กำลัง (gām-lāng). The difference is that, อยู่ (^awyùu) goes after the main verb or verb phrase — subject + main verb / verb phrase + อยู่ (^awyùu). For example: เขาทำอาหารเย็นอยู่ (k^hǎo t^hām āa-hǎan-yēn ^awyùu = He is making dinner.); คุณทำอะไรอยู่ (k^hūn t^hām à-rāi ^awyùu? = What are you doing?). Often, both helping verbs are used together — subject + กำลัง (gām-lāng) + main verb / verb phrase + อยู่ (^awyùu). It is like saying ‘in the process of….currenlty’. For example: เขากำลังทำอาหารเย็นอยู่ (k^hǎo gām-lāng t^hām āa-hǎan-yēn ^awyùu = He is making dinner.); คุณกำลังทำอะไรอยู่ (k^hūn gām-lāng t^hām à-rāi ^awyuu? = What are you doing?), etc.

(p^hûak-rāo dtâwng rāw hâi fǒn ^hyùd dtòk gàwn k^hàb-ród dtàw)
Literal: We have to wait for rain stop falling before drive-car continue.
We have to wait for the rain to stop before continuing to drive.

The verb ต่อ (dtàw) means ‘to continue’ or ‘to proceed’ with an action. It often follows a verb to show that the action will carry on after something else — verb + ต่อ (dtàw). For example: ฉันจะอ่านหนังสือต่อหลังอาหารเย็น (chǎn jà àan-^hnǎng-sěu dtàw ^hlǎng āa-hǎan-yēn = I will continue reading the book after dinner.); พวกเขาจะพูดคุยกันต่อพรุ่งนี้ (p^hûak-rāo jà p^hûud-k^hūi gān dtàw p^hrûng-née = We will continue the discussion tomorrow.), etc.

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

1. He waited for the bus for a long time.
2. The children are waiting to get on the school bus.
3. We have to wait and see the exam results.
4. She is waiting for her friend to call back.
5. I’m waiting for him to tell me whether he is coming with me tomorrow.

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Urai Khomkham

Hi, I’m Urai Khomkham, a Thai language teacher and the creator of Thai Language Tuition UK. I help learners understand how Thai really works, so they can stop guessing and start feeling confident using the language in real life. Inside the community, I share clear lessons, practical explanations, and gentle guidance to support steady, meaningful progress — without pressure or overwhelm. I also share free Thai lessons and learning tips on my YouTube channel, where I break things down step by step and help you build strong foundations at your own pace. By subscribing, you’re not only supporting your own learning — you’re also helping me continue creating free resources to support you and other learners on their Thai journey.

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