06.30 pm คือกี่โมง
What does 06.30 pm mean in Thai time?
If you're familiar with Thai culture, you might have come across the time notation "06.30 pm คือกี่โมง" which can be confusing for non-Thais. Let's break it down and understand what it means.
The Notation
In Thailand, the time notation is slightly different from what we're used to in the West. The Thai language uses its own script and numbering system, which can be unfamiliar to foreigners.
06.30 pm
The "06.30 pm" part of the notation is straightforward. It represents 6 hours and 30 minutes in the evening. This is equivalent to 18:30 in 24-hour format.
คือกี่โมง
Now, let's focus on the Thai script: "คือกี่โมง". This is where things get interesting.
In Thai, "คือ" is a conjunction that means "which" or "that". "กี่" is a question word that means "what" or "how many". Finally, "โมง" means "o'clock" or "hour".
So, "คือกี่โมง" can be translated to "what time is it?" or "what o'clock is it?".
Putting it Together
When you combine the two parts, "06.30 pm คือกี่โมง" can be translated to "6:30 pm, what time is it?" or "6:30 pm, what o'clock is it?".
In essence, the notation is asking the question, "What time is it when it's 6:30 pm?" It's a way of expressing the time while also asking for confirmation or clarification.
Conclusion
Now that we've broken down the notation, we can understand that "06.30 pm คือกี่โมง" is a unique way of expressing time in Thai culture. It's a fusion of Western time notation with the Thai language, making it a fascinating aspect of Thai communication.
