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Topic-Comment & Word Order

Fronting the topic

Thai often fronts the topic

Topic, then comment.

💬 Examples
อาหารไทยผมชอบ
aa-hǎan thai phǒm châawp
Thai food, I like (it).
📝 Topic (Thai food) fronted
หนังเรื่องนี้สนุก
nǎng rʉ̂ang níi sà-nùk
This movie is fun.
📝 Topic + comment
Time/place phrases go at the front or end

Flexible placement.

💬 Examples
เมื่อวานไปไหน
mʉ̂a-waan bpai nǎi
Where did (you) go yesterday?
📝 Time word at the front
ผมกินข้าวที่ร้าน
phǒm gin khâao thîi ráan
I eat at the restaurant.
📝 Place at the end
Known information tends to come first

Information flow.

💬 Examples
เรื่องนี้ผมรู้แล้ว
rʉ̂ang níi phǒm rúu láew
This matter, I already know.
📝 Known topic first
คนนั้นใครรู้จัก
khon nán khrai rúu-jàk
That person, who knows (them)?
📝 Topic-comment order