You probably know that the word ได้ (dâi) is commonly used to express ability in Thai. But did you know there are many other natural and colloquial ways to say you can or cannot do something?
In this lesson, we’ll explore a slightly more advanced concept: complementary verb phrases — combinations of two verbs that convey whether or not an action is possible. These are widely used in daily conversations and carry emotional or physical nuance.
Table of Contents
What Are Complementary Verb Phrases?
These phrases are made up of:
A main verb (the action)
A complementary verb (to show success or ability)
They work like phrasal verbs in English, but in Thai they often highlight whether someone is able or unable to complete an action, often because of physical or emotional limitations.
Syntax: How to Use Them
✅ Positive Statements
The phrase uses a verb + complementary verb pattern.
เปิดออก (bpə̀ət ɔ̀ɔk) = able to open it
เปิด = to open
ออก = out
❌ Negative Statements
To express inability, simply insert ไม่ (mâi) between the two verbs.
เปิดไม่ออก (bpə̀ət mâi ɔ̀ɔk) = not able to open it
List of Common Verb Phrases
Here is a list of the common verb phrases that you can use to express the ability or inability.
| Positive Form | English Meaning | Negative Form |
|---|---|---|
| นอนหลับ (nɔɔn làp) | Can sleep | นอนไม่หลับ (nɔɔn mâi làp) |
| กินลง (gin long) | Can eat | กินไม่ลง (gin mâi long) |
| เปิดออก (bpə̀ət ɔ̀ɔk) | Can open | เปิดไม่ออก (bpə̀ət mâi ɔ̀ɔk) |
| หายใจออก (hăai-jai ɔ̀ɔk) | Can breathe | หายใจไม่ออก (hăai-jai mâi ɔ̀ɔk) |
| ลืมตาขึ้น (lʉʉm-dtaa khʉ̂n) | Can open one’s eyes | ลืมตาไม่ขึ้น (lʉʉm-dtaa mâi khʉ̂n) |
| หลับตาลง (làp-dtaa long) | Can close one’s eyes | หลับตาไม่ลง (làp-dtaa mâi long) |
| พูดออก (phûut ɔ̀ɔk) | Can speak out | พูดไม่ออก (phûut mâi ɔ̀ɔk) |
| ยิ้มออก (yím ɔ̀ɔk) | Can smile | ยิ้มไม่ออก (yím mâi ɔ̀ɔk) |
| ทนไหว (thon wǎi) | Can tolerate | ทนไม่ไหว (thon mâi wǎi) |
| กลั้นอยู่ (glân yùu) | Can hold back something | กลั้นน้ำตาไม่อยู่ (glân nám-dtaa mâi yùu) |
| กลืนลง (klʉʉn long) | Can swallow | กลืนไม่ลง (klʉʉn mâi long) |
| ฟังออก (fang ɔ̀ɔk) | Can understand (by hearing) | ฟังไม่ออก (fang mâi ɔ̀ɔk) |
| ลืมลง (lʉʉm long) | Can forget | ลืมไม่ลง (lʉʉm mâi long) |
Example Sentences in Negative Form
✅ เมื่อคืนฉันนอนไม่หลับเลย
/ mʉ̂a-kʉʉn chăn nɔɔn mâi làp loei /
= I couldn’t sleep at all last night.
✅ เครียดมากจนกินไม่ลง
/ khrîat mâak jon gin mâi long /
= I was so stressed I couldn’t eat.
✅ ขวดนี้เปิดไม่ออกเลย
/ khùat níi bpə̀ət mâi ɔ̀ɔk loei /
= I can’t open this bottle at all.
✅ แน่นอกจนหายใจไม่ออก
/ nâe-n òk jon hăai-jai mâi ɔ̀ɔk /
= I felt so tight in my chest I couldn’t breathe.
✅ เขาพูดเร็วมาก ฉันฟังไม่ออก
/ kháo phûut reo mâak, chăn fang mâi ɔ̀ɔk /
= He spoke so fast I couldn’t understand.
✅ ซึ้งมากจนกลั้นน้ำตาไม่อยู่
/ sʉ́ng mâak jon glân nám-dtaa mâi yùu /
= It was so touching I couldn’t hold back my tears.
Summary
These phrases are fantastic for expressing real-life limitations, emotions, or discomforts — and they sound natural and native. You’ll hear them all the time in everyday speech, stories, even in Thai music.
Practice idea: Pick 2–3 phrases from the list and try writing both positive and negative versions. Add them to your conversations!
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