ก็

Then and Also

Level 1

ก็ connects a statement to what came before. Depending on the sentence, it can suggest 'then', 'also', or 'well...'.

How It Works

ก็ connects ideas in several constructions. Read the whole clause to choose its meaning:

  • Consequence (If... then): It can mark the result of a condition, corresponding to 'then' in the ถ้า ... ก็ pattern. It is not required in every conditional sentence when the condition and result are already clear.
  • Direct Result (So): When used as ก็เลย, it means 'and so' or 'consequently'.
  • Indefinite Readings: In some complete constructions, a question word like ใคร (who) or อะไร (what) can have an 'anyone' or 'anything' reading with this particle and the rest of the clause. The question word does not have that meaning in every sentence.
  • Concessive (Even if): In the 'ถึง...ก็' pattern, it links the contrasting main statement to the condition; a word meaning 'still' may also be present.
  • Additive (Also/Too): It can add a matching statement about another person or thing. In the displayed subject-plus-predicate pattern it follows the subject (e.g., ผมก็... = I also...).
  • Sequential (And then): It links events in time, usually as แล้วก็.
  • Settling/Compromise: The phrase ก็แล้วกัน is used to say 'let's just do this' when making a final decision.

Nuance Note: A response such as 'ก็ดี' can express a qualified assessment, but it does not always show indifference. Its force depends on the preceding conversation and how it is said.

Examples (6)

  1. ถ้าฝนตก ผมก็ไม่ไป

    If it rains, [then] I won't go.

    Word by Word: If rain fall, I then not go

    Here, ก็ makes the result of the rain condition explicit in the ถ้า ... ก็ pattern. A conditional sentence does not always need this result marker when the relation is clear.

  2. เขาไม่มา ผมก็เลยไปคนเดียว

    He didn't come, so I went alone.

    Word by Word: He not come, I so go person single

    The combination ก็เลย is used to show a direct result or consequence of a previous situation.

  3. ใครก็ทำได้

    Anyone can do it.

    Word by Word: Who also do can

    In this complete sentence, ใคร (who) combines with ก็ and the following ability statement to give an 'anyone can' reading.

  4. ถึงเหนื่อยเขาก็ยังทำงาน

    Even though he's tired, he's still working.

    Word by Word: Even tired he then still work

    In this ถึง...ก็ construction, ก็ links the main statement to the concessive condition. The sentence says that he continues working despite being tired.

  5. เขาก็ชอบอาหารไทยเหมือนกัน

    He also likes Thai food.

    Word by Word: He also like food Thai same

    In this sentence, ก็ follows the subject and adds a matching statement about another person's preference, with เหมือนกัน reinforcing 'too'.

  6. กินข้าวแล้วก็ไปทำงาน

    Eat rice and then go to work.

    Word by Word: Eat rice already then go work

    Combined with แล้วก็, it shows a sequence of actions.

Common Mistakes

  • Using ก็ to link two nouns like 'and'.

    ส้มก็แอปเปิ้ล
    ส้มและแอปเปิ้ล

    In this intended noun list, ก็ does not mean 'and' between the two items. Use และ or กับ to join the nouns.

  • Putting ก็ after the verb in the displayed 'then go' reply.

    ไปก็สิ (intended: 'Then go.')
    ก็ไปสิ

    For this intended reply, ก็ belongs before the verb. An understood subject can be omitted, so ก็ can begin the reply: 'ก็ไปสิ'. Keeping an explicit subject is not automatically wrong; its use depends on who is speaking and what is being contrasted.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ก็Level 1Then and Also

Learn This First

To use 'ก็' (then/also) correctly, you need to understand basic Thai sentence structure, as 'ก็' is placed before the verb to link a new statement to a previous one. It is also helpful to understand other conjunctions and cause-effect markers, as 'ก็' often functions to show a logical progression or result between two ideas.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

And 7 more in the full list.

Words in This Pattern

ก็ก็ก็