“ไปบ้าน” [pai bâan] is one of the most common mistakes Thai learners make. No Thai person ever says “ไปบ้าน” [pai bâan] for “to go home.” We always say “กลับบ้าน” [glàp bâan], which literally means “to return home,” unless you go to someone else’s house, not your own house.

Examples:

เมื่อไหร่จะกลับบ้าน
[mêau rài jà glàp bâan]
When are you going home?

พรุ่งนี้จะได้กลับบ้านแล้ว ดีใจจัง
[prûng níi jà dâi glàp bâan léaw. Diijai jang]
I’m going home tomorrow. Yay!

วันนี้จะไปบ้านเพื่อน
[wanníi jà pai bâan peûan]
Today, I’m going to my friend’s house.

เมื่อวานเราเพิ่งไปบ้านยายเรามา
[mêua waan rao peûng pai bâan yaai rao maa]
Yesterday, I just went to my grandma’s house.

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