How to Use "Gèuab" (เกือบ) = Almost in Thai

If you're learning Thai, you might have come across the word "Gèuab" (เกือบ), which means "almost" in English. It’s a useful word that can help you express situations where something nearly happened but didn’t. In this blog, we’ll break down different ways to use "Gèuab" (เกือบ) with example sentences to help you understand and practice!

Gèuab เกือบ + Adverb of Time

You can use "Gèuab" (เกือบ) before an adverb of time to say something has almost reached a certain period of time.

Example:

✅ เรียนไทยเกือบสี่เดือน
(Rian Thai gèuap sìi deuan) = "I've been learning Thai for almost four months."

✅ รอเกือบชั่วโมงแล้ว
(Ror gèuap chûa-moong láew) = "I’ve been waiting for almost an hour."

✅ ทำงานที่นี่เกือบสิบปีแล้ว
(Tham-ngaan tîi-nîi gèuap sìp bpii láew) = "I’ve worked here for almost ten years."

✅ อยู่เมืองไทยเกือบหนึ่งปีแล้ว
(Yùu mueang-Thai gèuap nèung bpii láew) = "I've lived in Thailand for almost a year."

Gèuab เกือบ + Verb

When "Gèuab" (เกือบ) comes before a verb, it means someone almost did something but didn’t in the end.

Example:

✅ เกือบไปทำงานสาย
(Gèuap bpai tham-ngaan sǎai) = "I almost went to work late."

✅ เกือบลื่นล้ม
(Gèuap lûen lóm) = "I almost slipped and fell."

✅ เกือบลืมปิดไฟ
(Gèuap leuum bpìt fai) = "I almost forgot to turn off the lights."

✅ เกือบแพ้เกมนี้
(Gèuap pháe geem níi) = "I almost lost this game."

✅ เกือบไม่ทันรถไฟ
(Gèuap mâi than rót-fai) = "I almost missed the train."

 
Gèuab เกือบ + Leuum ลืม (forgot) + Wâa ว่า (that)

If you want to say "I almost forgot that…", use "Gèuab" (เกือบ) with "Leuum" (ลืม) followed by "Wâa" (ว่า), which means "that".

Example:

✅ เกือบลืมว่าพรุ่งนี้วันจันทร์
(Gèuap leuum wâa phrûng-níi wan-jan) = "I almost forgot that tomorrow is Monday."

✅ เกือบลืมว่านัดเพื่อนตอนบ่าย
(Gèuap leuum wâa nát phûean dton bàai) = "I almost forgot that I have an appointment with my friend in the afternoon."

✅ เกือบลืมว่าวันนี้ต้องส่งงาน
(Gèuap leuum wâa wan-níi dtông sòng ngaan) = "I almost forgot that I have to submit my work today."

✅ เกือบลืมว่าเขาเป็นครู
(Gèuap leuum wâa khǎo bpen khruu) = "I almost forgot that he is a teacher."

 
Gèuab เกือบ + Leuum ลืม + Noun

If you almost forgot something (a noun), you don’t need "Wâa" (ว่า). Simply say "Gèuab" + "Leuum" + Noun.

Example:

✅ เกือบลืมกุญแจบ้าน
(Gèuap leuum gun-jaae bâan) = "I almost forgot my house key."

✅ เกือบลืมกระเป๋าสตางค์
(Gèuap leuum grà-bpǎo sà-dtaang) = "I almost forgot my wallet."

✅ เกือบลืมโทรศัพท์
(Gèuap leuum thoo-rá-sàp) = "I almost forgot my phone."

✅ เกือบลืมเอกสารสำคัญ
(Gèuap leuum èek-gà-sǎan sǎm-khan) = "I almost forgot an important document."

✅ เกือบลืมของฝากให้แม่
(Gèuap leuum khǎawng-fàak hâi mâe) = "I almost forgot the souvenir for my mom."

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