Uses of 'ละ' (Particle and Distributive) — Thai Grammar

The particle (lá) attaches to the end of a clause to signal completion (often translated "already" or "now"), or — paired with (gankankan) as (lá ganlá kanlá kan) — to settle a decision. A separate use as a distributive adverb means "each" or "per."

Marking Completion or "Already"

At the end of a clause, (lá) signals that something has just become the case, or that the speaker is about to act right now. It overlaps with (lɛ́ɛoláeolé̩o) but feels softer and more conversational. You will often hear it in casual spoken Thai.

ไปละ
bpai lápai lápai lá
I'm off (now).
พอละ
pɔɔ lápho lápho̦ lá
That's enough.

Settling on a Choice with 'ละกัน'

After a verb of choice or decision, (lá) — typically paired with (gankankan) as (lá ganlá kanlá kan) — signals "let's just go with that" or "that settles it." It softens a final decision and invites agreement.

เอาอันนี้ละกัน
ao an níi lá ganao an ní lá kanao an ní lá kan
Let's go with this one then.
กินข้าวละกัน
gin kâao lá gankin khâo lá kankin khâo lá kan
Let's just eat then.

Distributive 'Each' / 'Per'

As a distributive adverb, (lá) is placed between a counted noun (or classifier) and a quantity, expressing "per X" or "X each."

วันละครั้ง
wan lá krángwan lá khrángwan lá khráng
once a day
คนละสองชิ้น
kon lá sɔ̌ɔng chínkhon lá sǒng chínkhon lá sǒ̦ng čín
two pieces each

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