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Even a modest attempt to speak their native tongue will earn you
a happy smile and respect from most Thais. Thai is a tonal language
and slightly raising or lowering the tone will change the meaning
of a word. For example, the word mai can have five different meanings,
all determined by the tone used.
Thai also uses a slightly different vocabulary for men and women.
The masculine Thai word for ‘me’ or ’I’ is pom.
The feminine equivalent is dichan. Thais always add a polite closing
word to a statement. Men finish a sentence with the Thai word krup
and women close with ka. The words have little if any direct translation,
but a Thai will think very highly of you if you use either of them.
Farang may be the first Thai word that you encounter during your
stay in Thailand. Thais use this word to refer to Caucasian people
or things associated with them (i.e. they call Western food ahan
farang). The word is commonly believed to be derived from the Thai
pronunciation of the name of an early visitor from Greece, Constantine
Phaulkon, who figures prominently in Thai history.
Below is a list of important Thai words for those who want to practice
the language before or during their stay. Learning the numbers and
how to say "Thank you." and "How much?" will
greatly assist you when bargaining with the locals.
| Greetings and small talk |
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Greetings, hello, good-bye
|
Sawadee
|
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Excuse me
|
Khor-thot
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Never mind
|
Mai pen rai
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Thank you
|
Kop-khun
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How are you?
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Khun sabai dee mai?
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I am fine, thank you
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Sabai dee, kop kun
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My name is ……..
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Pom\Chan cheu……
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What is your name?
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Kun cher arai?
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Please
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Ka-roo-na
|
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Good luck
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Chok dee
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Do you have?
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Mee mai?
|
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Very good
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Dee maak
|
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I do not want
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Mai ao Khrap\Ka
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I understand
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Pom\Chan kao jai
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Do you understand?
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Kao jai mai?
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I do not understand
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Pom\Chan mai kao jai
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| Direction |
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Where
|
Tee Nai
|
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When
|
Meu-arai
|
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Turn right
|
Leow khwa
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Turn left
|
Leow sai
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Go straight
|
By trong pai
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Slow down
|
Cha-cha
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Stop here
|
Yoot ti nee
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What street is this?
|
Ni thanon arai?
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I want to go ……
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Pom\Chan yak-ja pai …….
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Restaurant
|
Run ah-han
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Airport
|
Sanam bin
|
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Bus Station
|
Sa-thani rot meh
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Train Station
|
Sa-thani rot fai
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Hotel
|
Rong ram
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Police Station
|
Sa-thani tam ruat
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Post Office
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Praisanii
|
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Hospital
|
Rong paya-ban
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| Time |
|
Today
|
Wan ni
|
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Tomorrow
|
Phrung ni
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Yesterday
|
Meua waan
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| Shopping |
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How much is this?
|
Raka thao-rai?
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Too expensive
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Paeng gurn pai
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Any discount?
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Lot raka noi dai mai?
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Not expensive
|
Mai paeng
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Do you have another color?
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Mee si earn mai?
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Bigger
|
Yai-kwa
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Smaller
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Lek kwa
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I want more
|
Ow-ek
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Enough
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Paw
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| Beach Language |
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Beach
|
Haat
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The weather is hot
|
Ahgaat rawn
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White sand
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Sai Khao
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High tide
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Nam khern
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Low tide
|
Nam long
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Big waves
|
Khluen nam yai
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Strong wind
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Lom raeng
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Nice weather
|
Ahgaat dee
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Rain
|
Fon-tok
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Sunburn
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Daet phao
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Fruit
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Pon la mai
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Thirsty
|
Hiu nam
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Rent boat
|
Chao ruea
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Diving
|
Dam Nam
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Fishing
|
Tok pla
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| Numbers |
|
One
|
Neung
|
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Two
|
Sawng
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Three
|
Saam
|
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Four
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See
|
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Five
|
Haa
|
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Six
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Hok
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Seven
|
Jet
|
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Eight
|
Paet
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Nine
|
Kow
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Ten
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Sip
|
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Eleven
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Sip et
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Twelve
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Sip Sawng
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Twenty
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Yee-sip
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Thirty
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Saam-sip
|
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Forty
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See-sip
|
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Fifty
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Haa-sip
|
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Sixty
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Hok-sip
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Seventy
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Jet sip
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Eighty
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Paet-sip
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Ninety
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Kow-sip
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One hundred
|
Neung-roy
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One thousand
|
Neung-paan
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| Days of the Week |
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Sunday
|
Wan ah-thit
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Monday
|
Wan chan
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Tuesday
|
Wan ang-kan
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Wednesday
|
Wan poot
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Thursday
|
Wan parua hut
|
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Friday
|
Wan sook
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Saturday
|
Wan Sao
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| Months |
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January
|
Mok-kara-kom
|
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February
|
Koom-pa-parn
|
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March
|
Mee-na-kom
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April
|
Mae-sai-yon
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May
|
Preut-sar-pa-kom
|
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June
|
Mee-too-na-yon
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July
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Kara-kada-kom
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August
|
Sing-ha-kom
|
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September
|
Kan-ya-yon
|
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October
|
Too-la-kom
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November
|
Preut-sar-jee-ka-yon
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December
|
Tarn-wa-kom
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