Daily Thai Confidence — Using จำเป็นต้อง (jām-bpēn dtâwng)

Verb: จำเป็นต้อง (jām-bpēn dtâwng)
Meaning: to be necessary to / to really need to

In this Thai lesson, we will learn how to use the verb phrase จำเป็นต้อง (jām-bpēn dtâwng), which is used to express strong necessity. It is stronger and more formal than ต้อง (dtâwng). While ต้อง (dtâwng) can express obligation, rules, or strong advice, จำเป็นต้อง (jām-bpēn dtâwng) focuses on the idea that something is necessary and unavoidable.

It functions like a modal verb phrase and is placed before the main verb, just like ต้อง (dtâwng). The extra information (time, place, reason, purpose) can be added after it.

The typical structure usually follows the pattern: subject + จำเป็นต้อง (jām-bpēn dtâwng) + main verb (+ complement — a word or phrase that gives more information about the verb).

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

chǎn jām-bpēn dtâwng bpāi rōng-p^há-yāa-bāan wān-née
Literal: I necessary-must go hospital day-this.
I need to go to the hospital today.

The main clause ฉันจำเป็นต้องไปโรงพยาบาล (chǎn jām-bpēn dtâwng bpāi rōng-p^há-yāa-bāan = I need to go to the hospital) is structurally complete on its own. The time expression, วันนี้ (wān-née = today) is added to give extra information about when the action needs to happen. Please note: The word โรง (rōng) refers to a commercial building, structure, or place that is used for a specific purpose, especially for production, work, services, public or functional activities. It most commonly appears as the first element in compound nouns — โรง (rōng) + noun / verb. For example: โรงเรียน (rōng-rian = school / a place for learning); โรงงาน (rōng-ngāan = factory / a place for working or production); โรงแรม (rōng-rāem = hotel / a place for staying overnight); โรงพยาบาล (rōng-p^há-yāa-bāan = hospital / a place for nurses); โรงหนัง (rōng-^hnǎng = cinema / a place for movies); โรงครัว (rōng-k^hrūa = kitchen / a place for cooking) etc.

k^hǎo jām-bpēn dtâwng t^hām-ngāan lûang wāy-lāa p^hêua-hâi sèd ngāan t^hān wāy-lāa
Literal: He necessary-must do-work pass time in order to finish work on time.
He needs to work overtime to get the job done on time.

The main clause เขาจำเป็นต้องทำงานล่วงเวลา (k^hǎo jām-bpēn dtâwng t^hām-ngāan lûang wāy-lāa = He needs to work overtime) is structurally complete on its own. The purpose clause, เพื่อให้งานเสร็จทันเวลา (p^hêua-hâi ngāan sèd t^hān wāy-lāa = in order to get the job done on time) is added to explain why the action is necessary. Please note: The preposition เพื่อให้ (p^hêua-hâi) means ‘in order to make (something/someone)….’ or ‘so that…. (a result happens)’. It is used to express purpose with an intended result, especially when one action is done or so that another result or change will happen — main clause + เพื่อให้ (p^hêua-hâi) + result clause.

p^hûak-rāo jām-bpēn dtâwng rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi p^hrót wâa p^hûak-rāo t^hām-ngāan gàb k^hōn Thāi
Literal: We necessary-must learn language Thai because we do-work with people Thai.
We need to learn Thai because we work with Thai people.

The main clause พวกเราจำเป็นต้องเรียนภาษาไทย (p^hûak-rāo jām-bpēn dtâwng rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi = we need to learn Thai language) is structurally complete on its own. The reason clause, เพราะว่าพวกเราทำงานกับคนไทย (p^hrót wâa p^hûak-rāo t^hām-ngāan gàb k^hōn Thāi = because we work with Thai people), which explains the reason why the action of learning is necessary.

p^hûak-rāo jām-bpēn dtâwng àwk dēuhn-t^hāang dtàe-cháo p^hrûng-née p^hêua-hâi bpāi t^hěung t^hān wāy-lāa
Literal: We necessary-must out walk-way since-morning tomorrow in order to go reach on time.
We need to leave early in the morning tomorrow so that we get there on time.

The main clause พวกเราจำเป็นต้องออกเดินทางแต่เช้าพรุ่งนี้ (p^hûak-rāo jām-bpēn dtâwng àwk dēuhn-t^hāang dtàe-cháo p^hrûng-née = we need to leave early in the morning tomorrow) is structurally complete on its own. The purpose clause,  เพื่อให้ไปถึงทันเวลา (p^hêua-hâi bpāi t^hěung t^hān wāy-lāa = so that we get there on time), which explain the purpose of the action.

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

1. I need to learn Thai before travelling to Thailand next year.
2. I need to save money because I want to buy a new car.
3. She needs to rest because she is sick.
4. He needs to submit the assignment by tomorrow.
5. They need to practise speaking Thai every day.

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Urai Khomkham

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