Thai Phrases

English Phrases

Thai Phrases

English Greetings

Thai Greetings:

Hi!

sa-was-dee ส ส

Good morning!

a-roon-sa-was

Good evening!

sa-yan-sa-was ส

Welcome! (to greet someone)

yin-dee-ton-rab

How are you?

sa-bai-dee-mai ส

I'm fine, thanks!

sa-bai-dee, kob-kun ส

And you?

leaw-kun-la

Good/ So-So.

kor-dee/ reauy-reauy

Thank you (very much)!

kob-kun-(mak)

You're welcome! (for "thank you")

สส หส ส

ห ,

ห / (

)

mai-prn-rai

Hey! Friend!

yai-puan

I missed you so much!

chan/phom-kid-thung-kun-mak

What's new?

mee-a-rai-mai-bang

Nothing much

mai-mee-ar-rai-mak

Good night!

ra-tee-sa-was

See you later!

leaw-jor-kan-mai

Good bye!

la-korn

ห

สส ห

Asking for Help and Directions I'm lost

chan/phom-long-tang

/ ห ท

/

English Phrases

Thai Phrases

Can I help you?

hai-chan/phom-chuay-a-rai-mai-ka/krab ห /

Can you help me?

chuay-chan/phom-noi-dai-mai-ka/krab / ห ห /

Where is the (bathroom/

nai-ka/krab ห / ทห

Go straight!

trong-pai

Turn left

leaw-sai

Turn right

leaw-kaw

I'm looking for john.

chan/phom-kam-lang-ha-John-you

One moment please!

pab-neung-na

Hold on please! (phone)

theu-sai-roo-sak-kru-na-ka/krab

How much is this?

an-nee-tao-rai

something)

/

/

ห

ส

/

ส

ท ห

kor-thod-ka/krab- .....

kor-tang-noi-ka/krab

Come with me!

ma-kab-chan/phom/si

โทษ /

.....

/

ท ห

/

How to Introduce Yourself kun-pood-pa-sa-ang-kgrit-dai-

ษ

mai

ษ ห

Do You Speak Thai?

kun-pood-pa-sa-thai-dai-mai

Just a little.

nid-noi

ห

ห

ห

Excuse me! ( to pass by)

Do you speak English?

/

houng-num(bathroom)/ ran-kay-ya(pharmacy) .... you-tee-

pharmacy)?

Excuse me ...! (to ask for

ห

ษ ท

ห

English Phrases

Thai Phrases

What's your name?

kun-cheu-a-rai

My name is ...

chan/phom-cheu.....

Mr.../ Mrs.…/ Miss…

nai.../ nabg.../ nang-saaw...

Nice to meet you!

yin-dee-tee-dai-ruu-jak

You're very kind!

kun-jai-dee-jang

Where are you from?

kun-ma-jak-tee-nai

I'm from (the U.S/ Thailand)

chan/phom-ma-jak-america/pa-thad-thai / / ทศ ท

I'm (American)

chan/phom-pen-kon-american

Where do you live?

kun-you-tee-nai

I live in (the U.S/ Thai)

chan/phom-you-tee-pra-thad-america/thai / ท ทศ /ท

Did you like it here?

kun-chob-tee-nee-mai

Thailand is a wonderful country

pra-thad-thai-pen-pra-thad-tee-wi-sead-mak& ทศ ท ทศท ศษ

What do you do for a living?

kun-tam-ngan-a-rai

I work as a (translator/ businessman)

chan/phom-pen... (nak-plea/nak-tu-ra-kit) / /

I like Thailand

chan/phom-chob-(pa-sa-thai)

I've been learning Thai for 1 month

chan/phom-rean-pa-sa-thai-ma-neung-dean-leaw / ษ ท 1

Oh! That's good!

oh-man-dee-mak-leoy โ !

How old are you?

kun-r-yu-tao-rai

I'm (twenty, thirty...) years old. I have to go

/

..... .../

.../

ส ...

ท

ทห

/

ทห

ท ห

ท

/

( ษ ท)

ท ห

chan/phom-r-yu-(yee-sib/sam-sib) chan/phom-tong-pai-leaw-na

/

/

(20, 30)

English Phrases I will be right back!

Thai Phrases leaw-chan/phom-ja-klab-ma-mai

/

ห

Wish Someone Something Good luck!

chock-dee-na โ

Happy birthday!

suk-san-wan-kerd ส ส

Happy new year!

sa-was-dee-pee-mai ส ส

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! --

Congratulations!

yin-dee-dauy-na

Enjoy! (for meals...)

kin-khao-hai-a-roi-na

I'd like to visit Thailand one day

ห

ห

chan/phom-yak-ma-teaw-meang-thai

Say hi to John for me

fak-sa-was-dee-John-douy-na

Bless you (when sneezing)

Nothing is said after sneezing --

Good night and sweet dreams!

ra-tee-sa-was / fun-dee-na

สส

/

ท

ท

ห

สส /

Solving a Misunderstanding I'm Sorry! (if you don't hear something)

ko-thod-ka/krab-a-rai-na-ka/krab

โทษ /

Sorry (for a mistake)

ko-thod-ka/krab

No Problem!

mai-mee-pan-ha

Can You Say It Again?

chuay-pood-mai-eak-krang-na-ka/krab ห /

Can You Speak Slowly?

chuay-pood-chaa-chaa-noi-ka/krab

Write It Down Please!

chuay-kean-hai-doo-noi-ka/krab

I Don't Understand!

(chan/phom)-mai-khao-jai-ka/krab

I Don't Know!

Chan/phom-mai-ruu

/

โทษ / ห

/

/

ห ห ห ( / )

/ /

English Phrases

Thai Phrases

I Have No Idea.

chan/phom-kid-mai-ook

What's That Called In Thai?

an-nee-pa-sa-thai-reak-wa-a-rai-ka/krab ษ ท /

What Does "gato" Mean In English?

/

'chuay duay'-plair-wa-a-rai-nai-pa-sa-ang-krit-ka/krab " " ษ ษ

Thai?

kam-wa-'please'-nai-pa-sa-thai-pood-yang-rai 'please' ษ ท

What Is This?

an-nee-keo-a-rai

My Thai is bad.

pa-sa-thai-khaong-chan/phom-mai-koay-khang-reang ษ ท /

I need to practice my Thai

chan/phom-yak-fik-pa-sa-thai

Don't worry!

mai-thong-pen-huang

How Do You Say "Please" In

/

ษ ท

ห

Thai Expressions and Words Good/ Bad/ So-So.

dee/mai-dee/ngan-ngan

/

/

Big/ Small

yai/lek

Today/ Now

wan-nee /deaw-nee

Tomorrow/ Yesterday

prung-nee/ mea-waan-nee

Yes/ No

chai/mai-chai

Do you like it?

kun-chab-man-mai

I really like it!

chan/phom-chob-man-mak

I'm hungry.

chan/phom-hew-khao

/ ห

I'm thirsty.

chan/phom-hew-num

/ ห

In The Morning/ Evening/ At Night.

thorn-chao/ thorn-yen/ thorn-klang-kean / /

This/ That. Here/There

nee/ nan / tee-nee/ tee-nan ท

ห / / /

/ ห /

ท

.ท

ท

English Phrases

Thai Phrases

Me/ You. Him/ Her.

chan/ kun/ khao/ lon

/

/

/ห

Really!

jring-reu

Really!

jring-jring

Look!

doo-nan-si

Hurry up!

reaw-khao

What? Where?

a-rai tee-nai ท ห

What time is it?

thorn-nee-kee-moang-leaw-ka/krab

It's 10 o'clock. 07:30pm.

thorn-nee-sib-moang-leaw-ka/krab

Give me this!

ko-doo-chin-nee-noi-ka/krab

I love you!

chan/phon-rak-kun-mak

I feel sick.

chan/phom-mai-sa-bai

I need a doctor

chan/phom-yak-pob-maw

One, Two, Three

neung/ sawng/ sahm 1/ 2/ 3

Four, Five, Six

see/ ha/ hok 4/ 5/ 6

Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten

jet/ paat/ gow/ sib 7/ 8/ 9/ 10

ห

ส

ห โ 10 โ ห

/ /

/

/ /

ส /

ห

Beginning Your Relationship I am single. (pom yung sot) You are very beautiful. (koon suay mak mak) You are very cute. (koon na-ruk mak mak) I like your smile. (pom chorp roi yim kong koon) Can I see you tomorrow? (proong nee jer gun dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” Are you free tonight? (keun nee koon wang mai) – For yes the reply is “wang” and for no the reply is “mai wang” Do you like me? (koon chorp pom reu blao) – For yes the reply is “chorp” and for no the reply is “mai chorp” Can you go out with me? (bai tee-o gup pom dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? (koon mee faen reu yung) – For yes the reply is “me” and for no the reply is “yung mai mee” What kind of men do you like? (koon chorp poo-chai bap nai) Can you tell me your phone number please? (kor ber tor koon dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai”

Do you want to go and eat with me? (bai gin kao gub pom mai) – For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai” Do you want to go to watch a movie? (bai doo nung gup pom mai) – For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai” Your eyes are so beautiful. (duang dtar kong koon suay mak) Can I hold your hand? (pom kor jub meu koon dai mai?) Have a nice dream. (fun dee na) Take care of yourself. (do lae dtua eng duay na) Taking it to the Next Level Love at first sight. (ruk raek pop) I still remember the first moment we met. (pom yung jum krang-raek tee row pob gun dai) I want you to be happy. (pom dtong gan hai koon mee kwarm sook) You make me happy. (koon tam hai pom mee kwarm sook) I miss you. (pom kit teung koon) I miss you all the time. (pom kit-teung koon dta-lod way-la) Can you be my girlfriend? (ben faen gub pom dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” You are my girlfriend. (koon ben fan kong pom) You are my sweetheart. (koon keu yot -ruk kong pom) You are the one I have been waiting for. (koon bpen kon dieow tee pom ror koi) I am serious about you. (pom jing jai gup koon) I think about you all night. (pom kit teung koon tung keun) I want to meet you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak pop koon) I want to hug you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak got koon) Can I kiss you? (pom kor joop koon dai mai) I want to be with you. (pom yaak yoo gup koon) Do you miss me? (koon kit teung pom baang mai) I won‟t forget you. (pom ja mai leum koon) When do you want me to come back? (koon dtong gan hai pom glup ma muea rai) When You’re Ready to Marry Your Thai Girlfriend I think I have fallen in love with you. (pom kit wa pom long ruk koon) / (pom kit wa pom dtok loom ruk koon) My heart is yours. (hua jai kong pom ben kong koon) You are my angel. (koon keu nung fa kong pom) I love you. (pom ruk koon) I will be faithful to you. (pom ja seu-sut dtor/gub koon) I don‟t want to let you go. (pom mai dtong-gan hai koon bai) Can I meet your parents? (pom ja bai pob por gub mae kong koon dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” I want to see your face every day. (pom yaak hen na koon took wan) I want to marry you. (pom dtong-gan dtang ngan gub koon) I can‟t live without you. (pom yoo mai dai ta mai mee koon) If There’s Trouble I hope I can see you again. (pom wang wa ja dai pob koon eek-krang) Can you give me one more chance? (hai aow-gat pom eek-krang dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” I will never cheat on you (pom ja mai nork jai koon) Your love is very important to me. (kwarm ruk kong koon sam kun dtor/sam-rap pom mak) Please speak to me. (dai brot poot gup pom) You hurt me so much. (koon tam pom jep-bpuat mak) Please trust me. (brot chuea jai pom)

I want you to trust me. (pom dtong gan hai koon chuea jai pom) I never lied to you. (pom mai koie gor hok koon) Don‟t leave me. (ya ting pom) I will always be on your side. (pom ja yoo kiang-kang koon sa-mer)

How to count above 10 in Thai...To count above 10, simply add how many sip (10) and the next corresponding number. Since sip itself is already 10, you can just omit the nung (sip-et instead of nung sip-et). For example, 11 would be sip-et, 12 would be sip soong and 15 would be sip haa. Notice that 11 is sip-et instead of sip-nung. This is the only exception to counting in Thai.

0 - sun 1 – nung 2 – soong 3 – saam 4 – sii 5 – haa 6 – hok 7 – jet 8 – bpeet 9 – gaao 10 – sip

11 - sip-et 12 - sip soong 13 - sip saam 20 - yii sip 21 - yii sip et 25 - yii sip haa 30 – saamsip 36 – saamsiphok 49 - sii sipgaoo 60 - hok-sip 80 - bpeet-sip

31 - saamsip et 40 - sii sip 50 - haa-sip 70 - jet-sip 90 - gaao-sip

To count in 100, simply add how many rooi after the number. For example, 100 would be nung rooi and 111 would be nung rooi, sip-et. 999 would be gaao rooi, gaao-sip, gaao. To count in 1000, you would add pan after the number. For example, 2000 would be soongpan. Similary, 2345 would be soonpan, saam rooi, sip sii, haa. 5987 would be haa pan, gaao rooi, bpeet-sip, jet.

0

suun

ศูนย์

1

eng

หนึ่ง

2

sawng

สอง

3

saam

สาม

4

i

สี่

5

haa

ห้า

6

k

หก

7

t

เจ็ด

8

et

แปด

9

kao

เก้า

10

p

11

สิ บ

-t

สิ บเอ็ด

12

p-sawng

สิ บสอง

13

p-saam

สิ บสาม

14

- i

สิ บสี่

15

p-haa

สิ บห้า

16

- k

สิ บหก

17

- t

สิ บเจ็ด

18

- et

สิ บแปด

19

p-kao

20

yii-sip

ยี่สิบ

21

yii-sip-et

ยี่สิบเอ็ด

22

yii-sip-sawng

ยี่สิบสอง

31

saam-sip-et

สามสิ บเอ็ด

41

- -t

10

p

20

yii-sip

ยี่สิบ

30

saam-sip

สามสิ บ

40

- p

สี่ สิบ

50

haa-sip

ห้าสิ บ

60

- p

หกสิ บ

70

สิ บเก้า

สี่ สิบเอ็ด สิ บ

- p

80

- p

90

kao-sip

เจ็ดสิ บ แปดสิ บ เก้าสิ บ

100

- wy

หนึ่งร้อย

200

sawng-rawy

สองร้อย

300

saam-rawy

สามร้อย

400

- wy

สี่ ร้อย

500

haa-rawy

ห้าร้อย

600 700

- wy

หกร้อย

- wy

800

- wy

900

kao-rawy

เจ็ดร้อย แปดร้อย เก้าร้อย

1,000

eng-phan

หนึ่งพัน

2,000

sawng-phan

สองพัน

3,000

saam-phan

สามพัน

10,000

- en

หนึ่งหมื่น

20,000

sawng-muen

สองหมื่น

30,000

saam-muen

สามหมื่น

100,000

eng-saen

หนึ่งแสน

200,000

sawng-saen

สองแสน

300,000

saam-saen

สามแสน

1,000,000

- an

หนึ่งล้าน

2,000,000

sawng-laan

สองล้าน

3,000,000

saam-laan

สามล้าน

10,000,000

- an

สิ บล้าน

20,000,000

yii-sip-laan

ยี่สิบล้าน

30,000,000

saam-sip-laan

สามสิ บล้าน

100,000,000

-

- an

หนึ่งร้อยล้าน

200,000,000 sawng-rawy-laan

สองร้อยล้าน

300,000,000 saam-rawy-laan

สามร้อยล้าน

55

ห้าสิ บห้า

62

haa-sip-haa - p-sawng

หกสิ บสอง

73

- p-saam

เจ็ดสิ บสาม

41

- -t

สี่ สิบเอ็ด

36

saam-sip-hok

สามสิ บหก

21

yii-sip-et

ยี่สิบเอ็ด

23

yii-sip-saam

ยี่สิบสาม

99

kao-sip-kao

เก้าสิ บเก้า

5

haa

ห้า

55

haa-sip-haa

ห้าสิ บห้า

555

haa-rawy-haa-sip-haa

ห้าร้อยห้าสิ บห้า

1,100

-

- wy

หนึ่งพันหนึ่งร้อย

1,200

eng-phan-sawng-rawy

หนึ่งพันสองร้อย

1,300

eng-phan-saam-rawy

หนึ่งพันสามร้อย

1,400 1,500

-

-

- - wy

eng-phan-haa-rawy

หนึ่งพันสี่ ร้อย หนึ่งพันห้าร้อย

1,600

-

- - wy

หนึ่งพันหกร้อย

1,700

-

- - wy

หนึ่งพันเจ็ดร้อย

1,800

-

-

หนึ่งพันแปดร้อย

1,900

- wy

eng-phan-kao-rawy

หนึ่งพันเก้าร้อย

2,000

sawng-phan

สองพัน

3

saam

สาม

33

saam-sip-saam

สามสิ บสาม

333

saam-rawy-saam-sip-saam

สามร้อยสามสิ บสาม

3,333

saam-phan-saam-rawy-saam-sip-saam

สามพันสามร้อยสามสิ บสาม

50

haa-sip

ห้าสิ บ

500

haa-rawy

ห้าร้อย

550

haa-rawy-haa-sip

ห้าร้อยห้าสิ บ

5,550

haa-phan-haa-rawy-haa-sip

ห้าพันห้าร้อยห้าสิ บ

27

yii-sip-jet

ยี่สิบเจ็ด

270

sawng-rawy-jet-sip

สองร้อยเจ็ดสิ บ

2,700

sawng-phan-jet-rawy

สองพันเจ็ดร้อย

These are given in English, Thai and an approximate pronunciation of the Thai.

*"Yes" and "no" are often also indicated by simply repeating the verb. So if the question was "Do you want to go ?", it would be answered by saying "want" or "don't want", rather than "yes" or "no". Chai is an general word for "yes", but it's less used than it's English equivalent. Men can also use krap, and women ka, to indicate agreement. These are the same words used at the end of sentences to be polite. **Pom is the polite way of saying "I / me" for a man in Thai, di-chan is the equivalent for a women. You're never likely to offend anyone by using either of these words, but there are also a lot of other words for 'I/Me' that can be used depending on the situation. There's a similarly large amount of words for "you". Khun is the most common, and is a safe word to use when speaking to just about anybody. Tan is a very respectful word, used when talking to someone of markedly higher status than you in Thailand (e.g. a high court judge, or a Buddhist monk). Ter is more informal than khun, it's used when talking to friends.

Sa-wàt dee is the general all purpose greeting in Thailand, the English distinctions of "Good morning", "Good afternoon" etc.. do exist but are almost never used. It's also almost always followed by kráp (for a man) or kâ (for a woman) to be polite.

saL watL deeM

ข

[a polite greeting or farewell used when meeting or parting] hello; goodbye; good morning; good afternoon; good evening; good night; greetings

saL baayM deeM reuuR

"How are you?"

khaawpL khoonM

[spoken formally to a person of higher rank or status, e.g. parents, teachers] "Thank you" [male: add

; female:

add

?

ขโ ษ

neeF thaoF raiM

"How much is this?"

maiF bpenM raiM

"It doesn't matter." — "Never mind." — "You're welcome" — "Don't mention it." — "It's no big deal."

laaeoH phohpH ganMmaiL

"See you later." — "See you soon!" — "Until we meet again."

khaawR tho:htF

"I apologize" — "I'm sorry" — "Excuse me" — "Pardon me."

saL baayM deeM

to be feeling fine; I am fine; I'm fine.

sa wat dee khrap

[spoken politely by a male] hello; goodbye — "Hello, how are you?"

saL watL deeM khaF

[spoken politely by a female] hello or goodbye

phuutF thaiM maiF daiF

"I can't speak Thai."

maiF khaoF jaiM

(I) don't understand

khaoF jaiM maiR

Do you understand?

thaayL ruupF daiF maiR

May I take a picture?

haawngF naamH yuuLtheeF naiR

Where's the restroom?

neeF aL raiM

"What is this?"

L

ข ข

]

L

M

H

? ข

โ ข ข

?

phaaengM maiR

Is it expensive?

khaawR haiF cho:hkFdeeM

"Good luck to you."

khraiM khaayR khaiL gaiL

[tongue twister, alliteration] "Who sells chicken eggs?"

gepL dtang[k]M

"Check, please."

bpenM yangM ngaiMbaangF

"How's it going?" — "How do you feel?" — "How do you do?" — "What's up?"

khoonM aaM yooH thaoFraiM

"How old are you?"

a rai gaaw dai

anything will do; that option would also be fine; whatever; anything will be okay

bpaiM naiR

Where are you going?

khoonM phuutF phaaMsaaR angM gritL daiFmaiR

"Can you speak English?"

ข

khaawpL khoonM maakF

[a person, younger and/or lower in status, thanking the other who is older and/or higher in status] "Thank you very much"

ข

khaawR maiF phetL

"Please make the food not spicyhot."

khaawR phetL phetLnaH khrapH

[spoken by a male] "Please make the food spicy-hot"

gaL rooH naaM phuutFchaaH chaaH naawyL

"Please speak slowly."

aL raiM naH

"What?" — "Huh?" — "What did you say?" — "What was that?"

L

ษ

ข

ษ

ๆ ๆ ?

M

F

F

khoonM yuuL theeF naiR

F

F

mai chai

"Where are you?"

"I don't think so" — "not right" — "not so" — "not true" — "No, it is not"

khoonM bpenM phuuFchaayM reuuR phuuFyingR "Are you a man or a woman?"

โ ข

English

"I don't understand." — "I do not understand."

phohmR bpenM khohnMaL maehM riH ganM

"I am an American."

(sawùt dee) โ

(hanlǒh) - on phone ? (bpen yung-ngai bâhng?) ( ) (sa-bai dee krúp (kâ)) ? (khun cheu arai)

What's your name?

... (phom cheu ...) m (di-chan cheu ...) f ? (khun maa jaak tee nai?)

Where are you from? I'm from ...

phohmR maiF khaoF jaiM

(yindii ton rap)

How are you? I'm fine, thanks. And you?

My name is ...

"What time is it?"

ภาษาไทย (Thai)

Welcome Hello

geeL mo:hngM laaeoH

... (phõm maa jaak ...) m ... (dìichãn maa jaak ...) f (yin-dii thíi dái rúujàk)

Pleased to meet you Good morning/evening/night

/

Goodbye

(lah gòrn ná)

(sawùt dee krúp/kâ)

ข

โ

(khor hai dern thaang dooi sawatdiphaap)

โ

Bon voyage

(dern thaang dooi sawatdiphaap) (thiaw hai sanuk)

(khun khráp) - m /

Excuse me

ข โ ษ (kh

(khun khâ) - f

thôot) (ra ka thao rai?)

How much is this?

(pǒm (chân) sěe-a jai)

( )

Sorry ข

Thank you

(khàwp khun)

ข

(khàwp khun mâak)

Response (You're welcome)

(mâi bpen rai)

Where's the toilet?

? (hôrng náhm yòo têe nǎi?)

Would you like to dance with me?

(yàhk dtên rum mái?) (phom rak khun - male speaker)

I love you

(chan rak khun - female speaker)

Language difficulties ษ

Do you speak Thai?

?

Please say that again

Please write it down

(pôot èet tee dâi mái?) ข

ษ ข

How do you say ... in Thai?

ษ

I don't understand

ข

Do you understand?

? (khun phûut phaasãa thai bpen mãi?)

ข

? (chôo-ay kĕe-un long hâi nòy, dâi má?)

...

(phaasãa thai ... pôot wâh yung-ngai)

(mâi khâo jai) ? (khâo jai mái)

Emergencies Help! Fire! Stop! Call the police!

! (chôo-ay dôo-ay!) !(fai mâi!) ! (yòot!) (rêe-uk dtum-ròo-ut mah)

Can you make it cheaper? (lot noi dai mai) The Thai word "noi" means little and is used to make a request sound more polite. All "dai mai" questions are answered with "dai" for "yes" and "mai dai" for "no". How about ... baht? (... baht dai mai) Can you help me? (chuay dai mai) Can I see that? (khor doo dai mai) I am just looking. (khor doo thao nun) I will come back later. (ja ma mai) Do you have something bigger? (mee yai gwar mai) Do you have something smaller? (mee lek gwar mai) The thai word "lek" means "small". Adding "gwar" after it makes it "smaller".The thai word "yai" means "big". Adding "gwar" after it makes it "bigger". Do you have something cheaper? (mee took gwar mai) The thai word "took" means "cheap". Adding "gwar" after it makes it "cheaper". Do you have another colour? (mee see auen mai) Where do I pay? (jai ngoen tee nai)

Hello / Goodbye Thank you

sawàt dii (khrúp)

khàwp khun (khrúp)

Sorry / Excuse me Yes No

khãw thôht (khrúp)

chái (khrúp ) mâi chái (khrúp)

Pardon?

arai ná?

How are you?

sabai dee mái?

I'm fine / not well (ill)

sabai dee / mâi sabai

I (don't) understand

(mâi) khâo jai

It doesn't matter I don't want Very good

mâi pen rai

mâi aow dii mak

Bad

mâi dii

I'd like to go to...(the airport)

yàak jà pai...(sanãam bin)

Where is the...(bus station)?

(sathãani khõn sòng)...yùu thîi nãi?

What time will the...(bus / train)...depart?

rót jà àwk kìi mohng?

Car

rót yon

Bus

rót meh

Taxi

rót tháek sîi

Bathroom / Toilet

hâwng náam / hâwng sûam

Hospital

rohng pha yaabaan

Market

talàat

Post office

praisanii

How much?

thâo raí?

Expensive

phaeng

Cheap

thùuk

Do you have...?

mii ... mãi?

Can you give me a cheaper price?

lot nàwy dâi mãi?

How much is this?

taw-rai

I want to buy this.

pome tawng-kahn seu sing nee

( )

I want to buy (number).

pome tawng-kahn #

( )

Too expensive!

paeng bai

I don't want it.

mai ow (khrahp)

Okay. I'll take it.

toke-lohng pome ow ahn nee

How much altogether?

tahng-mote taw-rai

Yes.

chai (khrahp)

No.

mai chai (khrahp)

(

(

)

( )

(

)

ข)

I need a taxi. (Don't take a motorcycle taxi; they are deadly!)

pome tawng-kan taek-see

/

I will/want to go to ......................

pome yahk-ja pai...

/

bank

tah-naah-khahn

post office

brai-sa-nee

restaurant

rahn-aahaan

hotel

rohng-raem

night club/bar

nai-khlahp

shopping center

soon-kan-khah

local market

ta-laaht

the Chao Phraya river

mae-nahm jao-pra-yah

museum

pee-pit-tah-pahn

temple

waht

medical clinic

klinik

the U.S. Embassy

sathahn-thoot ah-mei-ree-gah

university

ma-haa wi-tha-ya-lai

I would like . . .

pome khaw

water

nahm plaw

beer

bee-ah

soda

soe-dah

ธ ษ

โ /

ธ

/

โ

ข ...

tea

nahm chah

coffee

gah-fae

Coke

khoke

Pepsi

bep-see

Seven-Up

seh-wen-ahp

orange juice

nahm-sohm

fried Rice

khao paht

noodles

gwei-tee-oh

beef

neuah

chicken

gai

eggs

khai

bread

kha-nome-pahng

sugar

nahm-dahn

salt

gleua

pepper (powder)

prik-tai

chili pepper (hot!)

prik

fish sauce

nahm-blah

butter

noe-ee

cheese

cheet/noe-ee khaeng

โ

/

with/put in/put on

sai

without/don't put in

mai sai

fruit

pone-la-mai

banana

gloo-eh

pineapple

sap-pa-rote

papaya

ma-la-kaw

longan

lam-yai

I eat vegetarian.

pome ghin jei

/

I can't eat spicy food.

pome tahn pet mai dai

/

I can't eat shellfish.

pome mai tahn hoi

/

I can't eat pork.

pome mai tahn muu

/

I don't like fish.

pome mai chawp blah

/

This is delicious.

ahn-nee ah-roi

This is really spicy hot!

ahn-nee pet jing jing

I'm full. Thanks.

pome im laeo khawp khoon

Thank you for the delicious dinner.

khawp khoon sahm-rahp ah-haahn tee a-roi

breakfast

ah-haahn chao

lunch

ah-haahn glahng-wann

ๆ /

ข

ข

dinner

ah-haahn yen

I/We would like to present you with a small gift.

rao khaw mawp khawng khwahn dae tahn

ข

I/We would like to present you with a souvenir from the U.S/ token of our appreciation.

rao khaw mawp khawng tee ra-leuk jahk brah-tate a-mei-ree-gah hai gahp tahn

ข

I/We would like to welcome you to the United States. /

rao khaw chern tahn bai yeu-un brah-tate a-mei-ree-gah

ข ข

ข

ข

Please come to visit us in the U.S. We look forward to exchanges between your university faculty of economics and NIU

rao wahng wah ja mee gahn laek blee-an rah-wahng khah-na sate-ta-saht ma-haa wit-ta-ya-lai (e.g., Thammasat) lae N.I.U.

... ษ ...

Thank you for your generous hospitality.

khawp khoon nai nahm jai khawng tahn

ขข ข

Sunday

wan aa thit

วันอาทิตย์

Monday

wan chan

วันจันทร์

Tuesday

wan aang kan

วันอังคาร

Wednesday

wan pud

วันพุธ

Thursday

wan pa reu had

วันพฤหัส

Friday

wan suk

วันศุกร์

Saturday

wan sao

วันเสาร์

morning

chao

เช้า

noon

thieng

เที่ยง

afternoon

bai

บ่าย

evening

yen

เย็น

night

klang kuen

กลางคืน

What time is it?

Gee na li ka

กี่นาฬิกา

What time are we going?

rao ja pai ghee mohng

เราจะไปกี่โมง

What time are we finished?

rao ja lerk ghee mohng

เราจะเลิกกี่โมง

What time will we go back to the hotel?

rao ja glahp rohng-raem ghee mohng

เราจะกลับบ้านกี่โมง

What time will we eat (breakfast...)?

rao ja tahn khao ghee mohng

เราจะทานข้าวกี่โมง

Can I see a menu?

kor doo may-noo noy

Can I have......? I would like.......

kor........

Is it very (hot) spicy?

pet mahk mai

I am thirsty

dichan/pom hiu nahm

I am hungry

dichan/pom hiu

breakfast

ah-hahn chao

lunch

ah-hahn glanhg wan

dinner

ah-hahn yen

Bill, please.

chek bin

How? What When? Where? Who?

yàhng rai à-rai meua·rai têe năi kra

CONVERSATION & ESSENTIALS Hello sà·wàt·dii (khráp/khâ) Goodbye Yes châi No mâi châi Please kà·rú·naa

laa kàwn

Thank you khàwp khun That’s fine/You’re welcome mâi pen rai/yin·dii Excuse me khǎw à-phai Sorry khǎw thôht What’s your name? khun chêu à·rai? My name is ... (men) phǒm chêu ... (women) dì·chǎn chêu ... Where are you from? maa jàak nǎi I’m from ... ... maa jàak ... I don’t like ... mâi châwp ...tem Just a minute raw dǐaw DIRECTIONS Where is ...? ... ... yùu thîi nǎi? Go straight ahead trong pai Turn left líaw sáai Turn right líaw khwǎa at the next corner trong mum at the traffic lights trong fai daeng LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES Do you speak English? khun phûut phaa·sǎa ang·krìt dâi mǎi How do you say ... in Thai? ... ... wâa yàang rai phaa·sǎa thai What does ... mean? ... ... plae wâa à-rai I don’t understand mâi khâo jai TIME & DATES What time is it? kìi mohng láew? today yoo wan níi tomorrow phrûng níi yesterday mêua waan Monday wan jan Tuesday wan ang·khaan Wednesday wan phút Thursday wan phá·réu·hàt Friday wan sùk Saturday wan sǎo Sunday wan aa·thít I’d like to buy ... yàak jà séu ... How much is it? thâo raí? I don’t like it mâi châwp May I look at it? duu dâi mǎi I’m just looking duu chǒe chǒe It’s cheap raa·khaa thùuk It’s too expensive phaeng koen pai I’ll take it ao Do you accept credit cards? ráp bàt khreh·dìt mǎi PLACES the church bòht khrít the city centre jai klaang meuang the embassy à·thǎan thûut

the market ta·làat the museum phí·phít·thá·phan the post office prai·sà·nii a public toilet hâwng nám sǎa·thaa·rá·ná the tourist office leoy sǎm·nák ngaan thâwng thîaw TRANSPORT What time does the ... leave? ... jà àwk kìi mohng What time does the ... arrive? ... jà thěung kìi mohng boat reua bus rót meh/rót bát plane khrêuang bin train rót fai I’d like a ticket yàak dâi tǔa I want to go to ... ... yàak jà pai ... The train has been cancelled rót fai thùuk yók lôek láew The train has been delayed rót fai jà cháa weh·laa ticket office timetable taa·raang weh·laa train station wa sa·thǎa·nii rót fai

tûu khǎi tǔa

EMERGENCIES Help! chûay dûay! I’m lost chǎn lǒng thaang Go away! pai sí! Call ...! rîak ... nàwy a doctor mǎw the police tam·rùat TONES In Thai the meaning of a single syllable may be altered by means of different tones – in standard Central Thai there are five: low tone, level or mid tone, falling tone, high tone and rising tone. For example, depending on the tone, the syllable mai can mean „new‟, „burn‟, „wood‟, „not?‟ or „not‟; ponder the phrase mái mài mâi mâi mǎi (New wood doesn‟t burn, does it?) and you begin to appreciate the importance of tones in spoken Thai. This makes it a rather tricky language to learn at first, especially for those of us unaccustomed to the concept of tones. Even when we „know‟ what the correct tone in Thai should be, our tendency to denote emotion, verbal stress, the interrogative etc through tone modulation often interferes with producing the correct tone. Therefore the first rule in learning to speak Thai is to divorce emotions from your speech, at least until you‟ve learned the Thai way to express them without changing essential tone value. The following is visual representation in chart form to show relative tone values: Below is a brief attempt to explain the tones. The only way to really understand the differences is by listening to a native or fluent non-native speaker. The range of all five tones is relative to each speaker‟s vocal range so there is no fixed „pitch‟ intrinsic to the language. low tone – „flat‟ like the mid tone, but pronounced at the relative bottom of one‟s vocal range. It is low, level and with no inflection, eg bàat (baht – the Thai currency).

level or mid tone – pronounced „flat‟, at the relative middle of the speaker‟s vocal range, eg dii (good); no tone mark is used. falling tone – sounds as if you are emphasising a word, or calling someone‟s name from afar, eg mâi (no/not). high tone – usually the most difficult for Westerners. It‟s pronounced near the relative top of the vocal range, as level as possible, eg máa (horse). rising tone – sounds like the inflection used by English speakers to imply a question – „Yes?‟, eg sǎam (three).

PRONUNCIATION The following is a guide to the phonetic system that‟s been used for the words and phrases in this guide. It‟s based on the Royal Thai General System (RTGS). The dots indicate syllable breaks within words.

CONSONANTS The majority of consonants correspond closely to their English counterparts. Here are a few exceptions: k as the „k‟ in „skin‟; similar to the „g‟ in „good‟, but unaspirated (ie with no accompanying puff of air); similar to English „g‟ but unvoiced (i.e. with no vibration in the vocal chords). p as the „p‟ in „stopper‟, unvoiced and unaspirated (not like the „p‟ in „put‟); actually sounds closer to an English „b‟, its voiced equivalent t as the „t‟ in „forty‟, unaspirated; similar to „d‟ but unvoiced kh as the „k‟ in „kite‟, aspirated (ie with an audible puff of air) ph as the „p‟ in „pie‟, aspirated (not to be confused with the „ph‟ in „phone‟) th as the „t‟ in „tie‟, aspirated ng as the „nging‟ in „singing‟; can occur as an initial consonant (practise by saying „singing‟ without the „si‟) r similar to the „r‟ in „run‟ but flapped (i.e. the tongue touches palate); in everyday speech often pronounced like „l‟ VOWELS i as the „i‟ in „it‟ ii as the „ee‟ in „feet‟ ai as the „i‟ in „pipe‟ aa as the „a‟ in „father‟ a half as long as aa, as the „a‟ in „about‟ ae as the „a‟ in „bat‟ or „tab‟ e as the „e‟ in „hen‟ eh as the „ai‟ in „air‟ oe as the „er‟ in „fern‟ (without the „r‟ sound) u as the „u‟ in „put‟ uu as the „oo‟ in „food‟ eu as the „u‟ in „fur‟ (without the „r‟ sound) ao as the „ow‟ in „now‟ aw as the „aw‟ in „jaw‟ or „prawn‟ o as the „o‟ in „bone‟ oh as the „o‟ in „toe‟ eua a combination of eu and ai ia as „ee-ya‟, or as the „ie‟ in French rien ua as the „our‟ in „tour‟ uay sounds like „oo-way‟ iu as the „ew‟ in „new‟ iaw as the „io‟ in „Rio‟ aew like the „a‟ in „cat‟ followed by a short „u‟ as in „put‟ ehw as „air-ooh‟ awy as the „oi‟ in „coin‟

Not too spicy please No sugar, please This is too spicy Chicken Beef

kor mai phet mai sai nam taan nee phet gern pai gai nuea

Pork Fish Spicy prawn soup Chicken & coconut soup Fried fishcakes Chicken in pandanus leaves Chicken curry Chili beef Fried rice Thai-style noodles Salad (usually very spicy) Pomelo salad Sticky rice & mango Coconut ice cream Fresh lime juice Water Tea Coffe Ice Chilies Basic Greetings and Phrases Hello, good morning How are you? Thank you never mind Fine thanks I cannot speak thai Please speak slowly I don't understand Do you understand? May I take a photograph? May I use the telephone? Where is the rest room? How much does this cost? What is this? Very expensive Do you have something cheaper? The bill please Goodbye See you again Pleased to meet you Happy new year Happy birthday Good luck! Sorry/excuse me Does anyone speak english? I need a doctor Delicious! Directions I want to go... Where is...? Turn left Turn right

yaak ja pai... ... yoo nai? leeo sai leeo kwaa

muu plaa tom yam gung tom kha gai tod man pla gai haw bai toey gaeng phet gai panaeng nuea khao pad paad thai yam yam som-o khao niew mamuang ai-tim gathi nam ma-nao nam nam cha ga-fae nam khang prik sawasdee (krup/kaa) sabai dee reu? kop koon (krup/kaa) mai pen rai sabai dee (krup/kaa) phoot Thai mai dai prohd phoot cha-cha mai kao chai kao chai mai? tai ruup dai mai? kor chai torasap dai mai? hong nam yoo tee nai? nee tao-rai (krup/kaa) nee arai? paeng maag mii tuuk gwaa nee mai? gep taang (krup/kaa) la gon laew phob gan mai dee jai thee dai phob gan sawasdee pee mai sooksan wan gerd kor hai chok dee! kor thoad mee krai pood pasa ang-grit dai bang mai? tong karn mor ma raksa a-roy! Places Airport Bus station Railway station Police station

sanam bin sa-tanee rot mae sa-tanee rot fai sa-tanee tum-ruat

Straight ahead Stop here Slow down Be careful

trong pai yuut tee nee cha-cha ra wang

Hotel Embassy Hospital Post office Market

rong-raem sa-tantood rong-payabaan prai-sanee talaad