| bai ____ dai mai (kun pôot paa-săa tai bpen măi?) Performed at a world-class 600-seat theater accompanied by bustling sound effects, Muay... Read more. Oh yeah, and when we spell a word with more than one syllable, we use a hyphen between the syllables. | koon poot cha-cha dai mai (and there are 5 different tones and 2 different lengths for each vowel), *any given sound can be said 9 ways and potentially produce 9 different words* You can go from banana to penis simply by mispronouncing the tone. So what I need are opinions (yours) on words that are missing or unnecessary. กู goo. There is seemingly nothing that could happen that could derail your trip. | mah jahk prah-tet ____  Sure, you’ll make some mistakes and get some funny looks, but it’s all part of the fun. Because the Thai alphabet is different than th… From Bangkok, the most congested city in the world, to island hopping in the south of Thailand, visitors are going to be utilising more than a handful of forms of public transportation. Yes, many Thai people understand a few simple English words and phrases, so why not show the same respect and learn those same simple words and phrases in Thai? It’s free, so use it! My name is [name]. Err on the safe side and have her wear t-shirt instead of spaghetti strap dress and a dress that’s longer rather than shorter. | ah-yoo tao-rai Thai uses long, short, high and low tones to give the words meaning. | baep dee-ao nah For example, a word such as “kao” has many meanings, depending on the tone with which it is spoken. ThaiBasic Words is on Facebook. Try to say hee-yoo in one smooth syllable. Some common words for places are: Do you have Wifi? This is one of those really useful Thai phrases. I have packed loose pants and longer dresses with short sleeves that I will make her wear to temples etc. Bangkok Itinerary: Things to do in Bangkok in 3 days, Tiffany’s show: Essential Tips to Enjoy Thailand’s Best Cabaret Show, Thailand: Your Gateway to Southeast Asia | Norei's Little feet, What to pack for Thailand? As one of the most popular foodie destinations in the world, knowing these words while dining is a must. | nawg (general) / noo (someone who is younger) / pee (someone who is older), May I have [thing]? However, the easier way revolves around a 24-hour clock, so as long as you know your numbers 1-24, you’ll be ok. What time is it? / Park there. I just noticed that the English spelling for the Thai words are too “westernized”, other than that its a great blog especially for beginners. :-). Maybe we’ll follow up this post with a video on pronunciations with a Thai friend. I sent them this post of yours as their reference since its very informative. After all these years of undoubtedly butchering the word for banana countless times, we’ve yet to receive a penis in anything we’ve ordered from the food stalls… Read more ». | gee mohng laew Madame Tussauds Bangkok: Top Tips and Complete Guide to Explore The Best Wax Museum... What else does Bangkok have to offer … | mai sai [food] noy, I’m allergic to [food]. In Thai, every syllable is pronounced in one of the 5 tones: low, mid, high, falling, or rising. There’s no extra cost if you click one, but in doing so it helps compensate us for our time researching and sharing great finds with readers like you. We learned many of our useful Thai phrases from Pimsleur’s Thai (conversational CD) and Complete Thai (book + CD). Our mission is to make this process easier. We don’t hear this too often, but you might be inclined to say it after someone has thanked you. | pae [food]  You have entered an incorrect email address! ผััดผกรวมมิตรราดข าว phàt phàk ruam-mít râat khâaw Fried mixed vegetables on top of rice 8. You take every precaution you could possibly fathom and are ready for your trip to Thailand. For example, the word ‘hello’ is written sawatdee or sawasdee. Have you eaten yet? It helps to imagine the letter being really tiny at the end of the word. Can I use the bathroom? Basic Thai phrases for directions (taxis, buses, airport, etc. How much is this? The ones listed here are the most commonly used ones and recommended for foreign speakers. Hence my suggestion for them to also learn a few English words that almost all Thai people understand because expecting people who haven’t had any experience with tones before (and the English language is a perfect example… Read more », Yes, the different tones make learning Thai very difficult at times. / It’s too big. Today we live as full time expats in Chiang Mai, offering future expats and travelers firsthand knowledge about all things Thailand! In our American English phonetic transcription throughout the post, here’s how to pronounce the vowels and consonants using letter combinations you should already be familiar with: Secondly, the stress often falls on the last syllable. Hahah! However. When planning for your upcoming trip, you may easily find yourself overwhelmed with information from search results and listing platforms. We don’t hear this often, but it’s not bad to know. This is a way of saying “I” in an impolite way. This will come in handy if you are looking for a landmark or (if you’re like me) a bathroom. When my parents fight. And they know many English words like no sugar, spicy?, take-away (not many understand the phrase “to go”), toilet (they don’t understand washroom), taxi (this will get you a ride of a few different varieties – Songtaew (red truck), Tuk tuk or a cab) – I don’t think in the two years we’ve lived here, that we’ve met a Thai person who hasn’t understood these simple words. The small effort it takes from travellers to memorise basic greetings goes a long way in the eyes of the locals in Thailand. People are addressed differently based on things like age and social rank. We’re in their country after all. / I haven’t ordered yet. You’re welcome. Luckily for you, we compiled 100 of the most basic Thai phrases that are sure to make your life easier while travelling Thailand. | koon poot pah-sah un-grit dai mai To move from beginner to intermediate, you need to learn all 1000+ of those words. This is a very helpful phrase to use when a street vendor is haggling with you or if a server is hovering over you waiting for your decision. I can eat spicy. In most languages a verb may agree with the person, gender, and/or number of some of its arguments, such as its subject, or object. | ____ yoo tee-nai Phrases and words for directions or transport: because traveling is a matter of getting around. Now keep some basic Thai phrases so you can travel Thailand like a […], You can use the Thai phrasebook apps to help with pronunciation such as Survive in Thailand, Speak Thai. Imagine being surrounded by the exciting atmosphere of a movie-like fight and witnessing appealing moves of Thai traditional boxing just a few feet away from you! Because Thai people don’t speak/understand much English so you will talk to them using hand gestures and little English. The meaning of every word depends on how it is said. Don’t miss out on these amazing experiences, […] We got a Tuktuk tour that brought us to only 6 temples but all worth it (Tuktuk – most famous passenger vehicle to get you around Thailand). Travel to Thailand in 2020: How to conquer Thailand like a real local? | suh-bai dee / mai sah-bai. For kids her age we aren’t aware of temples being really strict on dress code. We also met a filipina solo traveler, who easily became friend and she joined us to the tour. / Not that delicious. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With our smart filters and customization tools, you can find the most suitable tours, add your favorite local experiences and exclude unwanted activities. This casual greeting is used if you see someone regularly. Go straight. How do you say ... in Thai? If there is no hyphen, then it’s a new word. Women always say ka and men always say krup. Would it be best if she wore things like this all the time or are shorts and t-shirts ok for… Read more ». | gin pet dai / git pet mai dai Conversing in Thai is confusing. Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Do not even get us started on Thai cuisine, either. Like Chinese, Thai is a tonal language. | loht noy dai mai Not sure what you should learn? “Kao” can mean: nine, knee, rice, come in, or news, depending on the tone used when it is spoken.The words listed below have been written as you would pronounce them in English. Don’t pronounce gin like the alcohol. Thai people assume that most foreigners can’t eat spicy food. = Arai? When the new language is Thai, the difficult task seemingly transforms into an impossible feat. If you’re only going to learn a handful of Thai words, these are the ones to go for: Yes — Chai (khrup/ka) No — Mai (khrup/ka) I Don’t Want That — Mai Ao (khrup/ka) This will come in handy. You can then carry the note cards around with you and practice as you go. Join food tours with Inspitrip now! Sleeveless is ok, just be aware of the strong sun. ... By learning even the basics of Thai, you will immediately endear yourself to the locals, gain their respect and admiration, and transform your experience of Thailand and Thai people. Where is ____? What’s up? Every language has its common words and its rare words. Since we didn’t include voice recordings (and because the Thai language has its own script ภาษาไทยมีลักษณะเช่นนี้, we’ve put together a little blurb on the pronunciations. Even more casually, drop the ‘r’ and say suh-waht-dee kup. / Sorry. In Thai, there are no reflexive or other personal pronouns, but possession may be … / Takeaway, please. Learn more here. | mai kao-jai Simple phrases like “Pasa English” will let a Thai person know you are asking them if they speak English. A man says suh-waht-dee krup. This will give you some time to make a choice. How are you? […], […] packing your suitcase? Thai people are just establishing who is older as a way to determine hierarchy. ก . | took / paeng, I like it. | ao uhn nee / ao uhn nun The Quick & Dirty Thai Vocabulary Greetings and Introductions Page 34 Hello สวัสดี ค่ะ/ครับ sa-wàt-dee kâ/kráp Good-bye ลาก่อน นะ ค่ะ/ครับ laa gòn ná kâ/kráp My name is… ดิฉัน/ผม ชื่อ … ค่ะ /ครับ dì-chăn chêu… kâ/kráp We felt waaay more confident talking to Thais in their own language after building a solid base using those two resources (plus a really awesome grammar book that might be too dry for most people). Also, bartering is a must at stalls and vendors. If you ask this phrase, the Thai person who is working will almost always direct you to the Wifi passport (printed on a menu, taped on the wall, etc). Thai grammar is relatively simple. = Yangngai? It’s difficult to pronounce because there are a lot of ‘ng’s. Basic Thai greetings are hands down the most important of phrases visitors will want to memorise before journeying to the Land of Smiles. Where? However, the Thai people you encounter will be impressed for sure if you try and use a little Thai with them. For example, addressing someone older than you with a title that is used for someone younger than you can be considered offensive to some. ไข ีเจ ยว khày ciaw Omelet Thai style 10. These polite participles are used to show respect and politeness and make the sentence ‘sound nicer’ to Thai ears. Thai Vocabulary. And you know what? Thai language uses long and short tones, high tones and low tones in pronunciation to describe a word. Here are some of the most basic of phrases worth remembering. We are curious – what way would you have phonetically spelled the Thai words? Convenience stores are notorious for handing out plastic bags, even if you buy one small item! Here, some helpful phrases to get you from point A to point B. Thailand is home to an abundance of souvenirs worth stowing away in your carry-on for the long flight home. / Turn left. Use Phonetic Language or learn the most common Thai Letters so that you can read basic words; Use a spaced repetition vocabulary builder to learn words and phrases; Focus on learning the five tones correctly early on as the wrong tones can change the meaning of words completely; Check out our comprehensive Thai learning App L-Lingo which contains 105 lessons with grammar notes, … | drohng bai / lee-oh sai / lee-oh kwah, Stop here. I am fine/not fine. Thai words and sentences are written in their own unique alphabet, and sentences are written without spaces between the words as an added challenge. / How much is that? / Turn right. | mai ao toong Important Thai Words 3 – Thank You in Thai: Khop Khun kha/khap The Thai word for thank you is khop khun. Join Facebook to connect with ThaiBasic Words and others you may know. Might as well throw this in there while we’re talking about numbers. Hi Kimberly, very glad that you found it helpful! Remember, it’s a hard ‘g’ like ‘go’. INTRODUCTION TO THAI LANGUAGE When visiting a foreign count ry it is always a good idea to learn some words. Practice the following Thai phrases by exploring top things to do in Bangkok now! How would you say ‘is this you’ in thai?? If you can, be sure to tell them gin pet dai to get the real deal. | kao hawng-nahm dai mai. | koon suh-bai-dee mai Can you lower the price? | cha-cha noy Basic Thai Sentence Structure. | hee-yoo mai | kaw-tohd The course has subsequently been improved and adapted by the author for Thai language instruction to foreign students at Prince Skip to main content Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer. I’ve ordered already. I am bringing my 6 year old daughter to Chiang Mai in a weeks’ time and have found your blog incredibly helpful in working out a bit of a plan for what we will do. This is one of the most basic Thai phrases you can learn. Learning a new language is no easy task. In Thailand, it’s customary to finish a sentence or complete thought with the words ka or krup. They were genuinely excited and intrigued to talk with us! There are two ways to tell time in Thai language. Addressing someone using the incorrect term can be oftentimes considered disrespectful. Funny girl Shei, told us she miss speaking in Tagalog and it was her first time to meet kababayan since the day she arrived in Bangkok. Thais are polite and khop khun is a response that is always appreciated. How? The phrases in this post are extremely common and most Thai people will be able to use context clues to determine what you’re trying to get across. It’s not uncommon to be asked how old you are. I compiled a sample list of Thai words (below) but I took a kitchen sink approach. / I want that. ), Basic Thai phrases for restaurants or cafes, Explore Damnoen Saduak Floating Market & Maeklong Train Market, explore Bangkok city highlights with a local guide, A chef’s guide: Bangkok backstreet food walking tour, Experience Bangkok’s epic food and market scen, Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Go On A Mekong Delta Tour In Vietnam. | gin reu yung Just a moment, please. Only the barest Thai words are needed, but which ones? Here are 15 words that will make you fall in love with the Thai language. Before you arrive in Thailand a good technique to apply is making note cards with basic Thai words. / I can’t eat spicy. All the vaccines and mosquito repellent in the world, however, cannot determine whether an accident may arise. For example the Thai word “kao” can mean: rice, nine, knee, to come in, news, etc… Speaking of smiles, those who can say these words are almost guaranteed to receive a smile in return to everyone they greet with them. The public transportation in Thailand is complicated. A few weeks before our flight, we taught ourselves a few simple but useful Thai phrases to practice with our tuk-tuk drivers, servers, and tour guides. Conversing in Thai is confusing. by Chris and Angela | Last updated Apr 10, 2018 | Published on Mar 20, 2018 | How Tos, Travel Preparation | 17 comments. Regardless of what it is that has you puzzled, you are going to need to know a few question words to clarify, well, everything. Do you speak Thai? This is fantastic- thanks so much for posting it. From night markets to luxury malls in the capital, knowing a few words in regards to shopping will prove to be more than a little bit helpful. I don’t want a plastic bag. This list is a lot harder than it needs to be. Regardless of how easy or difficult learning a language can be, every traveller should memorise a handful of Thai words before venturing to the Kingdom. It is perhaps the most important Thai word to learn. You would use this more so to describe hiding a feeling. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. | poot pah-sah tai mai dai คุณพูดไทยได้ไหม (kun pôot tai dâai măi) คุณพูดภาษาไทยเป็นไหม? Men say pohm for ‘I’ and women say chan for ‘I.’. It did for us. Thai menus are befuddling. | yin-dee Download mp3 - right click and choose 'save target as' . What? Without knowing the tones or inflections, almost anything you try to say beyond the most basic, may make no sense to the Thai ear. Thanks! = Muarai? One question I do have is how covered up her clothes should be to be respectful? The language is tonal, however (of which there are five). Better to learn few local language as well like “hello – sawasdee“, “how much – Taorai?” and “Thank you – khop kun“. / That’s expensive. อี ee. In Thailand, it’s customary to finish a sentence or complete thought with the words ka or krup. […] venture outside of the typical tourist destinations (which we suggest that you do) then learning a few Thai phrases can really help you get the best out of your Thailand […]. Excuse me. | glahp bahn dai mai, Delicious. | chawp / mai chawp. Basic Thai Phrases Hello – Sawadee khrup/ka Yes – Chai (khrup/ka) No – Mai (khrup/ka) Maybe – Aaj ja (khrup/ka) Thank you – khop khun (khrup/ka) Sorry/excuse me – Khor thoad khrup/ka Where is the restroom – Hong nam yoo tee nai khrup/ka? Can you speak English? The good news is that you don’t have to be in Thailand or know how to read or write Thai to start learning how to speak the language. Thai is a difficult language to master. Why? Thai key phrases. Plus, now you’ll know how to pronounce them! Bottom line: What 100 words do/did you absolutely need to get by in Thai? / I don’t like it. It’s pronounced suh-waht-dee. Here are the basic titles worth remembering so that this does not happen. We remember how excited we were to speak a little Thai on our very first trip to Thailand. Where are you from? Don’t be shy, it’s not considered nosey in Thai culture. I’m from ______. Lastly, the end consonant (the ‘t’ in cat, the ‘k’ in book) in all Thai words is rarely enunciated. This is one of the most useful Thai phrases you can learn. Wanna experience ordering like a real Thai! You probably won't need to use much if you stick to the main tourist destinations. Using Polite Endings. It’s [number 1-12] o’clock. Basic Phrases. For simplicity sake, say chai for ‘yes’ and mai chai for ‘no.’ Although more advanced speakers use different words, Thai vendors will understand your intentions. 100+ Easy But Useful Thai Phrases and Words Thai Pronunciations and Phonetic Spelling. I don’t understand. Learn more about our story here…, Copyright © 2021 Tieland to Thailand | Design by Elegant Themes | Hosting by A2 Turbo Hosting, Use Scan QR Code to copy link and share it, Thai Pronunciations and Phonetic Spelling. Yes / No | chai / mai chai The most basic explanation of Thai sentence structure is SVO – Subject, Verb, and Object. My family usually doesn’t use swear words. Rather than point to something, gesture with an open hand. Always happy to help. And in many… Read more », Hi Aleesha, this post is meant for people who want to learn and feel more self-reliant in the country they’re exploring. Bangkok’s caffeine scene is becoming more popular and thriving every day. Can you speak slowly? | yoot tee-nee / jawt tee-nun. Love having this handy list. Thanks for commenting, David. Book a Night bike tour in Bangkok to make new local friends and practice Thai phrases for a night out above, Travelling to Bangkok soon? pae sounds like the word pair but without saying the ‘r’, Waiter! Use this phrase (with a polite voice) for fast-driving tuk-tuk or van drivers. It’s customary to say ‘Thank you’ after buying something or enjoying a good meal. You can read our full review of what we used to teach ourselves Thai here. = Tum mai? But first we need to know what the role of Verbs is in the structure of the grammar in Thai. Here you can use your mom judgment – if its something that’s not appropriate for school, don’t wear it at the temple (ie., if its a realy short dress, wear leggings under it). Knowing a handful of numbers will better one’s chances of getting a better price on something. Do not give up just yet, as Thai has some of the most beautiful words, regardless of how long they take to master. Thai people are usually curious to know where you’re from. Depending on the “level of speech”, different sets of personal pronouns are being used in Thai. This is another good phrase to memorize. Mind you, there are at least three official phonetic transcription styles plus dozens of various spelling on different websites and YouTube channels. I can’t speak Thai. Being that it is tonal, many have trouble pronouncing words as they should be spoken. If a Thai person can’t speak English, they will usually answer mai dai (cannot) or nit noy/nit dee-ao (a little). Can you go to ____? | pohm cheu [name] / chan cheu [name] Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. As a whole, Thailand is a very polite society. Though the Thai alphabet takes some work to master, if you try to learn it you'll probably discover it's not as hard as you thought. | kaw [thing or action] noy, Can I have this to go? Put this word in front of a woman’s name to sound impolite. Basic Thai words for questions. It’s too small. How you address people in Thailand is very important. Shorts and t-shirts are acceptable for children throughout the day. It’s the general greeting to say hello and it often replaces good morning and good afternoon, too. The public transportation in Thailand is complicated. For some phrases below, two versions are given. Don’t add [food], please. | uhn nee tao-rai / uhn nun tao-rai. Thank you | kawp-koon In case one does, here are some phrases that will help during an emergency. Sometimes it’s better to say this then to stand there in silence (or make a funny face like I usually do). Thanks for reading our blog and commenting! Similar sounding words can have different meanings based on the tone they have. Choosing to learn these common phrases is more than just… Read more », I totally hear you on respecting the people in this country but if the visitor says the tone wrong then the word is wrong. ภาษาไทย ... พูดว่าอย่างไร (paasăa tai ... pôot wâa yàang-rai) Excuse me: ขอโทษ (kŏr tôht) Essential things to have before your trip, How To Get The Best Out Of Your Thailand Experience | David Duayeni, 10 essential things to know before arriving at Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City) Airport, 5 BEST WAYS TO TRAVEL FROM DA NANG TO HOI AN, Comprehensive guide to Hue 20 Best Hotels & Resort, 30 Best Luxury Hotels And Resorts In Nha Trang, 30 Best Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Hoi An. Those who can tell a merchant how much they want something to be will oftentimes get that price. That means that the meaning of a word can change depending on the tone of a syllable. I want this. Words like "soi" (lane/small street), "BTS" (Bangkok Mass Transit System), "Sukhumwit" (name of Bangkok's main road) and "Su-wan-napoom" (Suvarnabhumi - Bangkok International Airport) are straightforward, but that's not usually the case. = Tiinai? | mee wifi mai While you can definitely get by in major cities (see second paragraph) in Thailand without learning the language, not making the attempt to learn more than “Pasa English” (“pah-sah un-grit”) is a bit cringe-worthy. The aim is to create a word list for newbies to communicate in Thai at a basic level. My friends from California are going to move in Bangkok next month and they are asking me some tips for them to easily fit in here. This is similar to English, which means that it is one less major change to have to consider. When? Put this word in front of a man’s name to sound impolite. If you're trying to learn Thai Vocabulary you will find some useful resources including a course about vocabulary and expressions...to help you with your Thai grammar.Try to concentrate on the lesson and notice the pattern that occurs each time the word changes its place. Appendix:200 basic Thai words. Ok, here’s our mini guide to essential Thai phrases and words. Learn to say what country you’re from: How old are you? There are words that translate directly to English that can be misleading and aren't used in the same way in Thai.Paai dtai is not used for ‘under’ like ‘under the table’. As you can see in this basic sentence, it follows the same general order as in English. Yes please to pronunciation video! | suhng lae-ao / yuhng mai suhng. You can point to your wrist or say this phrase if you need to ask what time it is. 150+ Essential Beginner Thai Words & Phrases for Effective Conversations (PDF & MP3 audio). Hi, we’re Chris and Angela and we sold it all, paid off our debt, and left our comfort zones in the US. Here are some fun phrases that will come in handy on a night out. This used whether you want to say ‘excuse me’ (for example, to get your server’s attention or if you need someone to move out the of the way in a market) or ‘I’m sorry’ (if you bump into someone). Are you hungry? Chances are you’ll need to talk to your taxi, tuk-tuk, or songthaew driver during your trip. Regardless of what it is that has you puzzled, you are going to need to know a few question words to clarify, well, everything. We’ve put together a solid list of Thai phrases and words you’ll be glad to have while traveling around Thailand. Even after studying Thai for the last six years it can still be a struggle if we aren’t able to see a new or unfamiliar word written out in front of us in Thai script. มึง meung. | lek gern bai / yai gern bai, That’s cheap. Hello | suh-waht-dee From red light districts to nightclubs and more, you are going to want to enjoy a drink (or two) and experience all the country has to offer after the sun goes down. | bpen yung-ngai bahng Practice writing Thai letters and basic words – by practice writing Thai letters you will learn to associate the symbols and sounds with words that are familiar to yourself. From pet cafes to speciality coffee shops, visitors are going to want to try a cup of joe or two while travelling Thailand. Even though there are a lot of Thai people who speak English in major cities such as Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai, learning just a few essential Thai phrases while traveling in Thailand can really change your experience, especially if you venture into smaller towns or the countryside.