🎁 Enroll now and get a FREE Thai Pronunciation Course!

Categories
Read and Write Thai Uncategorized

Form-changing Vowels in Thai

Those learning Thai reading and writing usually find Thai vowels quite tricky, especially when some vowels change their form depending on their position in a word. These are called “Form-Changing Vowels” (āļŠāļĢāļ°āđ€āļ›āļĨāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ™āļĢāļđāļ› – saĖ€-raĖ€ bpliĖ€ian-ruĖ‚up). Don’t worry if you’re struggling with them; you’re not alone!  

In this guide, we’ll explain what you need to know about form-changing vowels in Thai, including key rules, step-by-step usage, and practice tips. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

ðŸĪ” What are Form-Changing Vowels (āļŠāļĢāļ°āđ€āļ›āļĨāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ™āļĢāļđāļ›)?

Form-changing vowels are Thai vowels that look different when written with certain consonants. Unlike standard vowels, which always appear in the same position (before, after, above, or below a consonant), they change shape based on their surrounding letters.  

These changes help Thai writing stay compact and readable, but they can be confusing for learners.

Let’s clarify the rules! 

🧠 Key Rules and Concepts You Need to Know

You may have noticed that Thai vowels have many characteristics that are different from those of other languages, especially in “writing”. Some of these unique characteristics include:

  • Written around consonants
  • Single letters or vowel clusters
  • Short and long vowels
  • Change its form under certain circumstances

Thai words are formed by combining an initial (or beginning) consonant with the vowel. This directly affects the tone we pronounce that word.

Whether the word is monosyllable or multi-syllable, it may also have an ending consonant. The ending consonant, however, affects not only the way we write the word, but also the tone we pronounce it.

The Thai vowels can be categorized into 3 groups according to the way they are written in a word, namely

  • Non-Form Changing Vowels (āļŠāļĢāļ°āļ„āļ‡āļĢāļđāļ› – saĖ€-raĖ€ kong-ruĖ‚up) – As the name suggests, their form remains unchanged when writing.

For example:

The vowel  -āļĩ /ii/ is always put above the initial consonant, as in āļ”āļĩ /dii/ (= good), āļĄāļĩ /mii/ (= to have), or āļˆāļĩāļ™ /āđˆjiin/ (= China, Chinese)

The vowel āđ€-āļ·āļ­ /eeua/ is always written with āđ€ in front, -āļ· above, and āļ­ after the initial consonant, as in āđ€āļĢāļ·āļ­ /reeua/ (= boat)

  • Form-Changing Vowel (āļŠāļĢāļ°āđ€āļ›āļĨāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ™āļĢāļđāļ› – saĖ€-raĖ€ bpliĖ€ian-ruĖ‚up) – The vowel form changes when the word has an ending consonant

For example:

When there is an ending consonant, the vowel -āļ° changes the form to write with -āļą over the initial consonant, as in āļ + āļ° + āļš = āļāļąāļš /gaĖ€p/ (with)

  • Inherent (Reduced) Vowel (āļŠāļĢāļ°āļĨāļ”āļĢāļđāļ› – saĖ€-raĖ€ loˁd-ruĖ‚up) – The vowel form disappears (or partly disappears) when the word has an ending consonant

For example:

When there is an ending consonant, the vowel āđ‚-āļ° entirely disappears, as in āļ™ + āđ‚-āļ° + āļ = āļ™āļ /noˁk/ (= bird)

In this blog, we will focus on the second type of vowels, which change form when there is an ending consonant – or “Form-Changing Vowels“.

some Thai vowel forms, Thai vowels

ðŸ‘Ģ Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying Form-Changing Vowels (āļŠāļĢāļ°āđ€āļ›āļĨāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ™āļĢāļđāļ›)

Below are steps to help you identify the form-changing vowels in Thai:

1ïļâƒĢ Step 1: Identify the Vowel

Look at the vowel in its full (normal) form first (i.e., –āļ° /-a/, āđ€â€“āļ° /-e/, āđ€āđ€â€“āļ° /-ae/, āđ€â€“āļ­ /-eeu/).  

2ïļâƒĢ Step 2: Check for a Final Consonant  

If the syllable ends with a consonant, the vowel may change:  

– “–āļ°” → “◌āļą ” (e.g., “āļāļąāļ™” /gan/ instead of “āļāļ°āļ™”).  

– ” āđ€â€“āļ° ” → ” āđ€â€“āđ‡ ” (e.g., “āđ€āļ”āđ‡ā /dÃĻk/ instead of  “āđ€āļ”āļ°ā).  

3ïļâƒĢ Step 3: Adjust the Vowel Position  

Some vowels change its form, or a part of its form, and move above the consonant:  

ðŸšĻVowel “–āļ°” becomes a small mark above “◌āļą ” the initial consonant.

        For example:

  • āļ + –āļ° + āļ™ becomes “āļāļąāļ™” /gan/
  • āļˆ + –āļ° + āļ” becomes “āļˆāļąāļ”” /jaĖ€d/
  • āļ› + –āļ° + āļ becomes “āļ›āļąā /bpaĖ€k/

ðŸšĻVowel ” āđ€â€“āļ° ” becomes a small mark above ” āđ€â€“āđ‡ ” the initial consonant.

        For example:

  • āļ” + āđ€â€“āļ° + āļ becomes “āđ€āļ”āđ‡ā /dÃĻk/
  • āļˆ + āđ€â€“āļ° + āļ” becomes “āđ€āļˆāđ‡āļ”” /jeĖ€d/
  • āļĄ + āđ€â€“āļ° + āļ” becomes “āđ€āļĄāđ‡āļ”” /meˁd/ 

ðŸšĻVowel ” āđâ€“āļ° ” becomes a small mark above ” āđâ€“āđ‡ ” the initial consonant.

        For example:

  • āļ‚ + āđâ€“āļ° + āļ‡ becomes “āđāļ‚āđ‡ā /kaˌeng/
  • āļŪ + āđâ€“āļ° + āļ becomes “āđāļŪāđ‡ā /haˁek/
  • āļĄ + āđâ€“āļ° + āļ becomes “āđāļĄāđ‡ā /maˁek/  

ðŸšĻVowel ” āđ€â€“āļ­ ” becomes a small mark above ” āđ€â€“āļī ” the initial consonant.

📌 NOTE: This applies to other ending consonants, except for the consonat “āļĒ”

For example:

  • āļ” + āđ€â€“āļ­ + āļ™ becomes “āđ€āļ”āļīāļ™” /deeun/
  • āļŠ + āđ€â€“āļ­ + āļ becomes “āđ€āļŠāļīāļ” /cheeun/
  • āļ + āđ€â€“āļ­ + āļ” becomes “āđ€āļāļīāļ”” /geĖ€eud/

4ïļâƒĢ Step 4: Practice with Real Words  

Here is how you can practice writing and reading Thai words with the form-changing vowels:

ðŸ‡đ🇭 Start with Simple Words – Write each word multiple times and say it out loud as you write.

ðŸ‡đ🇭 Focus on One Vowel at a Time – You can work on one vowel first,  such as the vowel “-āļ°â€ and find the words that use it. You will see how it changes based on the ending consonant it pairs with.

ðŸ‡đ🇭 Highlight the Vowels – When reading words, mark the vowels with a colored pencil or highlighter to visually focus on them while you learn how they interact with consonants.

ðŸ‡đ🇭 Use Vocabulary Lists – Take beginner-friendly word lists and look for those including form-changing vowels. Practice writing each word several times to get yourself familiar with their patterns.

ðŸ‡đ🇭 Practice with Sound – Listen to how the words are pronounced in apps or videos. Then write down what you hear to check if your written vowels match the correct spelling of the words.

🧊 Summary

Thai form-changing vowels, āļŠāļĢāļ°āđ€āļ›āļĨāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ™āļĢāļđāļ› /saˁ-raˁ bpliˁian ruĖ‚up/, present a unique challenge for learners when they change their written form with the presence of the ending consonant. 

You can find below the summarized vowels with some examples:

summary form-changing vowels

Understanding key rules governing these transformations is crucial for accurate reading and writing, thus enabling the learners to improve their Thai language proficiency.

You may wish to check out the following about Thai scripts, reading Thai, or writing Thai:

  ✍ïļÂ Blog: Challenges to learn Thai scripts and ways to overcome them

  🎞ïļ Youtube: Read & Write Thai Tutorial: āđ€āļ™āļĒ (āļŠāļĢāļ°āđ€āļ­ āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­ āļŠāļĢāļ°āđ€āļ­āļ­?)

But if you want to learn how to read and write Thai scripts systematically, step-by-steply, we encourage you to check out our BananaThai’s Ultimate Thai Reading course.

The course is an ultimate guide to helping you master Thai reading effortlessly. We simplified complicated Thai rules to six easy-to-follow chapters with thirty lessons.

📞 Contact our team or book a private Thai lesson at lesson@bananathaischool.com. We are happy to help you get started easily. 

Categories
How to say this in Thai Thai Foundation Uncategorized

Mastering Thai Question Words

Learning to ask questions is one of the essential skills in any language, including Thai. Thai question words are not difficult to use, and once you understand the sentence structure, you’ll form questions like a native Thai!

Today we’ll cover the most common Thai question words, their syntax, exceptions, and practical examples to help you ask and answer questions with confidence. Let’s go!

Table of Contents

Sentence Structure for Thai Question Words

In Thai, most question words are placed at the end of a sentence, unlike in English, where they put question words are placed at the beginning.

The basic structure for Thai questions with question words is:

[Subject] + [Verb] + [Object / Complement] + [Question Word?]

For example:

  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļŠāļ­āļšāļāļīāļ™āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ? (kun chaĖ‚awp gin aĖ€-rai?) = What do you like to eat?

  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļˆāļ°āđ„āļ›āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ„āļŦāļ™? (kun jaĖ€ bpai tÃŪi-naˌi?) = Where are you going?

However, some question words can appear at the beginning of a sentence. We will cover that in the exceptions section.

Exceptions: Question Words That Appear at the Beginning

While most Thai question words are at the end of a sentence, some can be placed at the beginning, especially in formal speech or writing. Examples include:

❓āļ—āļģāđ„āļĄ (tham-mai?) = Why?

          āļ—āļģāđ„āļĄāļ„āļļāļ“āļĄāļēāļŠāļēāļĒ? (tam-mai kun maa saˌai?) = Why are you late?

❓āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ (mÃŧuea-rài?) = When?

          āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆāļ„āļļāļ“āļˆāļ°āđ„āļ›āđ€āļĄāļ·āļ­āļ‡āđ„āļ—āļĒ? (meĖ‚eua-raĖ€i kun jaĖ€ bpai meeuang-tai?) = When will you go to Thailand?

❓āđƒāļ„āļĢ (krai?) = Who? – when it is asked for the “subject” of the sentence

          āđƒāļ„āļĢāļ­āļĒāļđāđˆāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ™āļąāđˆāļ™? (krai yuĖ€u tiĖ‚i naĖ‚n?) = Who is there?

Thai question words, how to use question word in Thai

Common Thai Question Words

The Thai question words here are what we know in English as the “WH-question words”, e.g. what, when, where, why, how, etc. These question words are a group of interrogative words used to ask for specific information – not only for ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Below you will find the common Thai question words with some examples in the questions:

🌚āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ = What?

Used to ask about things, objects, or actions.

Examples:

  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļ—āļģāļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ? (kun tam aĖ€-rai?) = What are you doing?
  • āļ™āļĩāđˆāļ„āļ·āļ­āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ? (niĖ‚i keeu aĖ€-rai?) = What is this?
  • āļ„āļļāļ“āđ€āļŦāđ‡āļ™āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ? (kun heˌn aĖ€-rai?) = What do you see?
ðŸ’Ą Tip:
As mentioned, āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ (à-rai) can be placed either at the beginnning or at the end of the sentence depending on if it works as the subject or an object. 
As a subject (at the beginning)
Examples:
  • āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢāļ­āļĒāļđāđˆāđƒāļ™āļŦāđ‰āļ­āļ‡ (à-rai? yÃđu nai hÃĒawng) = What’s in the room?
  • āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢāļ­āļĢāđˆāļ­āļĒ (à-rai? à-rÃēi) = What’s delicious? / What’s good? 
As an object (At the end)

Examples:

  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļāļīāļ™āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢāļ­āļĒāļđāđˆ (kun gin à-rai? yÃđu) = What are you eating? 
  • āļĄāļ­āļ‡āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ (maawng à-rai?) = What are you looking at?
  • āļ­āļĒāļēāļāļ—āļģāļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ (yàak tam à-rai?) = What do you want to do?

🌚āđƒāļ„āļĢ = Who?

Used to ask about a person’s identity.

Examples:

  • āđ€āļ‚āļēāđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āđƒāļ„āļĢ? (kaˌo bpen krai?) = Who is he?
  • āđƒāļ„āļĢāđ‚āļ—āļĢāļŦāļēāļœāļĄ? (krai too haˌa poˌm?) = Who called me?
Thai question words, how to use question word in Thai

🌚āļāļąāļšāđƒāļ„āļĢ = With whom?

 

Used to ask about ask about companions

Examples:

  • āļ„āļļāļ“āđ„āļ›āđ€āļ—āļĩāđˆāļĒāļ§āļāļąāļšāđƒāļ„āļĢ? (kun bpai-tiĖ‚iaw gaĖ€p krai?) = Who are you traveling with?
  • āđ€āļ‚āļēāļāļīāļ™āļ‚āđ‰āļēāļ§āļāļąāļšāđƒāļ„āļĢ? (kaˌo gin kaĖ‚ao gaĖ€p krai?) = Who are you eating with?

🌚āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āđƒāļ„āļĢ = Whose?

Used as possessive pronoun and possessive adjective

Examples:

  • āļ™āļĩāđˆāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āđƒāļ„āļĢ? (niĖ‚i kaˌawng krai?) = Whose is this?
  • āļŦāļĄāļēāļ•āļąāļ§āļ™āļĩāđ‰āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āđƒāļ„āļĢ? (maˌa dtuua niˁi kaˌawng krai?) = Whose dog is this?

🌚āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ„āļŦāļ™ (tiĖ‚i-naˌi) = Where?

Used to ask about locations

Examples:

  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļ­āļĒāļđāđˆāļ—āļĩāđˆāđ„āļŦāļ™? (kun yuĖ€u tiĖ‚i-naˌi?) = Where are you?
  • āļĢāđ‰āļēāļ™āļ­āļēāļŦāļēāļĢāļ­āļĒāļđāđˆāļ—āļĩāđˆāđ„āļŦāļ™? (raˁan aa-haˌan yuĖ€u tiĖ‚i-naˌi?) = Where is the restaurant?
  • āļžāļ§āļāđ€āļ‚āļēāđ€āļˆāļ­āļāļąāļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ„āļŦāļ™? (puĖ‚uak-kaˌo juuh gan tiĖ‚i-naˌi?) = Where did they meet?

🌚āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđ„āļĢ / āļĒāļąāļ‡āđ„āļ‡ (yàang-rai / yang-ngai) = How?

Both “āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđ„āļĢ – yaĖ€ang-rai” and “āļĒāļąāļ‡āđ„āļ‡ – yang-ngai” mean “How” in English, and are generally used in the same way as that in English – which is to ask questions about manner, condition, or degree. 

  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļžāļđāļ”āļ āļēāļĐāļēāđ„āļ—āļĒāđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđ„āļĢ? (khun phÃŧut phaa-săa Thai dÃĒai yàang-rai?) = How can you speak Thai?
  • āļ—āļģāļĒāļąāļ‡āđ„āļ‡āđƒāļŦāđ‰āđ€āļāđˆāļ‡āļ āļēāļĐāļēāđ„āļ—āļĒ? (tham yang-ngai hÃĒi gÃĻng phaa-săa Thai?) = How do I become good at Thai?

ðŸ’ĄNote:

However, there are cases when we use the question word “āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđ„āļĢ – yaĖ€ang-rai” or “āļĒāļąāļ‡āđ„āļ‡ – yang-ngai” in Thai instead of using “what (āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ – aĖ€-rai) as in English. The nuance of it is the focus on manner, method, or qualitative information about something than merely listing something out.

Scenario: 

You have had a headache for a few days with high fever, so you go to see the doctor.

The doctor may ask you:

ðŸī󠁧ó Ēó Ĩó Ū󠁧ó ŋ English question:  “What symptoms do you have? (direct translation is āļ„āļļāļ“āļĄāļĩāļ­āļēāļāļēāļĢāļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ – kun mii aa-gaan aĖ€-rai)” 
ðŸ‡đ🇭 Thai question:  “āļ„āļļāļ“āļĄāļĩāļ­āļēāļāļēāļĢāļĒāļąāļ‡āđ„āļ‡āļšāđ‰āļēāļ‡ – kun mii aa-gaan yang-ngai baĖ‚ang”

With the question word āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđ„āļĢ – yaĖ€ang-rai / āļĒāļąāļ‡āđ„āļ‡ – yang-ngai (= how?), the doctor is asking about the nature or quality of your symptoms. 

It’s akin to asking, “How are you feeling?” or “In what way are you experiencing these symptoms?”

🌚āđ€āļ—āđˆāļēāđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ (taĖ‚o-raĖ€i) = How much?

Used when asking about price or quantity.

  • āļ­āļąāļ™āļ™āļĩāđ‰āļĢāļēāļ„āļēāđ€āļ—āđˆāļēāđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ? (an-niˁi raa-kaa taĖ‚o-raĖ€i?) = How much is this? – Asking for “price”
  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļˆāļ°āļ‹āļ·āđ‰āļ­āļĄāļ°āļĄāđˆāļ§āļ‡āđ€āļ—āđˆāļēāđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ? (kun jaĖ€ seˁeu maˁ-muĖ‚uang taĖ‚o-raĖ€i?) = How much mango do you want to buy? – Asking for “quantity”

🌚āļ—āļģāđ„āļĄ (tam-mai) = Why?

Used to ask for reasons

  • āļ—āļģāđ„āļĄāļ„āļļāļ“āđ€āļĢāļĩāļĒāļ™āļ āļēāļĐāļēāđ„āļ—āļĒ? (tam-mai kun riian paa-saˌa tai?) = Why are you learning Thai?
  • āļ—āļģāđ„āļĄāđ€āļ‚āļēāļ–āļķāļ‡āđ„āļĄāđˆāļĄāļēāđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ§āļēāļ™āļ™āļĩāđ‰? (tam-mai kaˌo teˌeung maĖ‚i maa meĖ‚eua-waan-niˁi?) = Why didn’t he come yesterday?

ðŸ’ĄNote:

The word āļ–āļķāļ‡ – teˌeung in the second example can be called “Emphasis Particle”. In this case, it is sometimes put before the verb to emphasize the unexpected outcome: Yesterday he was expected to come here, but he did not. That is why the person asking this question wants to know the reason for not showing up as expected. 

However, the word āļ–āļķāļ‡ – teˌeung is omittable if the person asking the question wants only the factual reason of him not showing up.

🌚āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ (meĖ‚eua-raĖ€i) = When?

Used to ask about time in a general sense, covering broader contexts

  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļˆāļ°āļāļĨāļąāļšāļĄāļēāđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ? (kun jaĖ€ glaĖ€p maa meĖ‚eua-raĖ€i?) = When will you come back?
  • āļ‡āļēāļ™āđ€āļĨāļĩāđ‰āļĒāļ‡āđ€āļĨāļīāļāđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ? (ngaan-liˁiang luĖ‚uhk meĖ‚eua-raĖ€i?) = When does the event end?
  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļˆāļ°āđ„āļ›āđ€āļ—āļĩāđˆāļĒāļ§āđ€āļŠāļĩāļĒāļ‡āđƒāļŦāļĄāđˆāđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ? (kun ja bpai-tiĖ‚iaw chiiang-maĖ€i meĖ‚eua-raĖ€i?) = When will you go to Chiangmai?

🌚āļāļĩāđˆāđ‚āļĄāļ‡ (giĖ€i-moong) = What time?

Used to ask about a specific time of day, equivalent to “what time?” 

It focuses on asking for a specific hour in the day, unlike āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ (muea-rai), which broadly asks “when?” and can refer to any point in time—past, present, or future.

  • āļ•āļ­āļ™āļ™āļĩāđ‰āļāļĩāđˆāđ‚āļĄāļ‡? (dtaawn-niˁi giĖ€i moong?) = What time is it now?
  • āļ„āļļāļ“āļˆāļ°āļĄāļēāļ–āļķāļ‡āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ™āļĩāđˆāļāļĩāđˆāđ‚āļĄāļ‡? (kun jaĖ€ maa teˌung tiĖ‚i-niĖ‚i giĖ€i moong?) = What time will you arrive here?
  • āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļ­āļ­āļāļāļĩāđˆāđ‚āļĄāļ‡? (kreĖ‚euang aĖ€awk giĖ€i moong?) = What time will the plane leave/ What is the flight time?

Mastering Thai question words can make your conversations in Thai so much smoother and more meaningful. They’re handy for asking the right questions and showing that you’re becoming more confident in the language. The more you practice, the easier it gets!

You may want to check out the following for more interesting information about questions:

Youtube –> Ask Questions in Thai | Basic Thai 101 

Want to learn more about forming Thai sentences and speaking naturally? Check out Banana Thai’s online courses to master Thai in a fun and engaging way!

Happy learning!

Categories
How to say this in Thai Thai life style Uncategorized

Learn Common Thai Ingredients: A Guide for Thai Food Lovers

Thai food is famous worldwide for the perfect balance of its bold flavors and aromatic herbs.  Whether you’re learning Thai cuisine for fun or diving into Thai culture, understanding the essential ingredients will help you cook authentic Thai dishes and appreciate the rich culinary heritage of Thailand.

In this guide, we’ll explore eight common Thai ingredients, their uses in Thai cooking, where to find them, and how to manage allergies if needed. Those learning Thai will also find the Thai names and scripts useful so you can recognize them when ordering food or shopping in Thailand.

Table of Contents

The Characteristics of Thai Food

Thai food is famous for its delicious and bold flavors. Here are some elements that make Thai food special:

  • Balanced Flavors – Thai dishes mix sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors perfectly.
  • Fresh Herbs and Spices – Ingredients like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and basil add depth and fragrance to the dishes.
  • Spicy Kick – Thai food often uses chili peppers, but you can adjust the spice level to your preference.
  • Rich Umami – Fish sauce, shrimp paste, and fermented soybeans give Thai food its deep, savory taste.

By understanding these key points,  you can better understand and enjoy the unique taste of Thai dishes.

What Are "Ingredients"?

Ingredients – or “āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļ›āļĢāļļāļ‡ (kreĖ‚euang-bprung)” in Thai – are the individual food items or components used to create a dish or recipe.

Ingredients include vegetables, meats, spices, herbs, and other seasonings.

For instance, when making ‘Pad Thai’, common ingredients include rice noodles, tamarind paste, fish sauce, shrimp, peanuts, bean sprouts, chives, and lime.

8 Common Thai Ingredients

As mentioned earlier, Thai food is known for its harmonious blend of sour, sweet, salty, and spicy flavors. So it’s no surprise that these seasonings are essential ingredients for creating the delicious taste of Thai cuisine.

Let’s have a look at these 8 common Thai ingredients:

fish sauce, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilies

ðŸĨ˜Fish Sauce (āļ™āđ‰āļģāļ›āļĨāļē - naˁm-bplaa)

Fish sauce is a key ingredient in Thai food, adding a salty and savory taste. Fish sauce is often used in stir-fries, soups, and curries. Fish sauce is an important ingredient used by mixing with lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili to create flavorful dipping sauces for spring rolls, grilled meats, and seafood. 

ðŸĨ˜Lemongrass (āļ•āļ°āđ„āļ„āļĢāđ‰ - dtaĖ€-kraˁi)

Lemongrass is a fragrant herb that adds a citrusy aroma to Thai dishes. It’s one of the three must-have ingredients for any spicy soup (known as ‘āļ•āđ‰āļĄāļĒāļģ – DtoĖ‚m-yam’ in Thai). Finely chopped or ground lemongrass is often mixed into curry pastes, which are used in a range of Thai curries like Green Curry or Red Curry. Lemongrass tea is a popular drink, due to its refreshing taste and potential health benefits.

ðŸĨ˜Kaffir Lime Leaves (āđƒāļšāļĄāļ°āļāļĢāļđāļ” - bai maˁ-gruĖ€ud)

Kaffir lime leaves are famous for their strong citrus smell and taste. They give a fresh, zesty scent similar to lime, lemon, and a hint of flowers. Unlike regular limes, kaffir lime leaves have a special and unique taste that’s hard to replace. It is a key ingredient in soups such as āļ•āđ‰āļĄāļĒāļģ (DtoĖ‚m-yam) and āļ•āđ‰āļĄāļ‚āđˆāļēāđ„āļāđˆ (DtoĖ‚m-kaĖ€a GaĖ€i), contributing to the distinctive taste and aroma.

ðŸĨ˜Chilies (āļžāļĢāļīāļ - priˁk)

The term in British English and in Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia and other Asian countries is just “chilli” without “pepper”. The renowned spiciness of Thai food comes mainly from this chili. There are 5 types of chili used in Thai food, of which the hottest one is called āļžāļĢāļīāļāļ‚āļĩāđ‰āļŦāļ™āļđāļŠāļ§āļ™ – priˁk kiĖ‚i nuˌu suˌuan  (garden mouse-dropping chili). Thai chilies are used both fresh and dried.

galangal, tamarind paste, coconut milk, holy basil

ðŸĨ˜Galangal (āļ‚āđˆāļē - kaĖ€a)

Galangal is sometimes referred to as Thai or Siamese Ginger. It has a sharp, peppery flavor and is often mistaken for ginger. Galangal is a key ingredient in Thai spicy soups and curries. It is the main ingredient in āļ•āđ‰āļĄāļ‚āđˆāļēāđ„āļāđˆ (DtoĖ‚m-kaĖ€a GaĖ€i) – a coconut milk-based soup featuring galangal prominently, lending it a slightly spicy and tangy taste.

ðŸĨ˜Tamarind Paste (āļĄāļ°āļ‚āļēāļĄāđ€āļ›āļĩāļĒāļ - maˁ-kaˌam-bpiĖ€iak)

Tamarind paste is made from the tamarind fruit, which has a sweet and tangy flavor. It’s a staple ingredient in Thai cuisine, adding depth and complexity to various dishes by balancing out savory and spicy elements. If you are a fan of āļœāļąāļ”āđ„āļ—āļĒ (PaĖ€d Thai), you may still recall the balanced flavors of the sauce used in this well-known Thai dish, which is contributed to by tamarind paste.

ðŸĨ˜Coconut Milk (āļāļ°āļ—āļī - gaĖ€-tiˁ)

Coconut milk is a key ingredient in Thai cuisine, adding a rich and creamy texture to many dishes. If you love Thai curries, you may also recall the contribution of coconut milk in those curries, such as āđāļāļ‡āđ€āļ‚āļĩāļĒāļ§āļŦāļ§āļēāļ™ (Green Curry), āđāļāļ‡āđ€āļœāđ‡āļ” (Red Curry), and āđāļāļ‡āļĄāļąāļŠāļĄāļąāđˆāļ™ (MaˁssaĖ€maĖ€n Curry). Coconut milk. Coconut milk is also a popular ingredient in Thai desserts, such as āļ‚āđ‰āļēāļ§āđ€āļŦāļ™āļĩāļĒāļ§āļĄāļ°āļĄāđˆāļ§āļ‡ (Sticky Rice with Mango) and āļŠāļąāļ‡āļ‚āļĒāļē (Sangkaya) or a Thai custard.

ðŸĨ˜Holy Basil (āļāļ°āđ€āļžāļĢāļē - gaĖ€-prao)

Raise your hand if you have not tried our āļœāļąāļ”āļāļ°āđ€āļžāļĢāļē (PaĖ€d GaĖ€-prao)! This classic dish is named after holy basil and features it prominently, providing a fragrant and flavorful kick. Many people come to Thailand with this dish among the top of their ‘must-do’ list in Thailand. Holy basil can also be found in other Thai dishes such as āļœāļąāļ”āļ‰āđˆāļē (paĖ€d chaĖ€a) and spicy soups.

Below is a quick guide to our 8 common Thai ingredients with some sample dishes you may want to try:

Where to Find These Ingredients

In Thailand, you can find all these ingredients at every fresh market, and supermarket. Morning markets in all provinces have these ingredients for those who enjoy walking along in the early morning, shopping for fresh foods, vegetables, and fruits like the locals.

If you’re outside Thailand, you can still find these essential ingredients in various places:

  • Asian Grocery Stores – Most cities have specialty Asian markets that carry Thai ingredients.
  • Online Retailers – Websites like Amazon and specialty Asian food stores offer dried or preserved versions.
  • Local Supermarkets – Some mainstream supermarkets now carry Thai essentials in their international sections.
  • Grow Your Own – If you love Thai cooking, consider growing herbs like Thai holy basil and lemongrass at home!

How to Manage Allergies to Thai Ingredients

Thai food is flavorful but can contain common allergens.

If you have food allergies, it is important to know how to navigate Thai cuisine safely. Here are some tips:

  • Communicate Clearly – When eating out, learn how to say your allergy in Thai:

          “I am allergic to seafood” = “āļ‰āļąāļ™/āļœāļĄāđāļžāđ‰āļ­āļēāļŦāļēāļĢāļ—āļ°āđ€āļĨ” (Chaˌn/Poˌm paˁae aa-haˌan taˁ-lee)

          “I am allergic to shrimp” = “āļ‰āļąāļ™/āļœāļĄāđāļžāđ‰āļāļļāđ‰ā (Chaˌn/Poˌm paˁae guĖ‚ng) 

          “I am allergic to peanut” = “āļ‰āļąāļ™/āļœāļĄāđāļžāđ‰āļ–āļąāđˆāļ§” (Chaˌn/Poˌm paˁae tuĖ€ua)

  • Ask for modifications – When ordering in Thailand, you can say:

           “Can I have it without â€Ķ?” = “āđ„āļĄāđˆāđƒāļŠāđˆ… āđ„āļ”āđ‰āđ„āļŦāļĄ (MaĖ‚i saĖ€i …… daĖ‚ai maˌi?)”

            So, if you are allergic to peanut and you want it without peanut, you can say:

           “āđ„āļĄāđˆāđƒāļŠāđˆāļ–āļąāđˆāļ§āđ„āļ”āđ‰āđ„āļŦāļĄ āļ‰āļąāļ™/āļœāļĄāđāļžāđ‰āļ–āļąāđˆāļ§ (MaĖ‚i saĖ€i tuĖ€ua daĖ‚ai maˌi? Chaˌn/Poˌm paˁae tuĖ€ua)

📝 Note: 

If you have a seafood allergy, be particularly careful, as shrimp paste and fish sauce are common in Thai dishes.

  • Check food labels – Many Thai sauces and pastes contain fish, shrimp, or nuts, so always read labels carefully.
  • Bring allergy cards – If you have a severe allergy, carrying a Thai-language allergy card can help you communicate your dietary restrictions clearly.

Summary

Starting to learn Thai language and food is like discovering a world full of flavors and culture. Knowing these common Thai ingredients will not only make you a better cook but also help you understand Thai culture and language better. 

So, why not visit your local Asian market, get these ingredients, and begin cooking? Your taste buds and Thai language skills will be happy!

If you’re keen to learn more about Thai cooking and culture, check out Banana Thai School’s online courses and Private Lessons where you can explore the Thai language and cuisine in an engaging way!

Happy cooking and enjoy your Thai food journey!

Categories
Uncategorized

How to Count in Thai | Learn Thai Numbers (āļ•āļąāļ§āđ€āļĨāļ‚āđ„āļ—āļĒ)

Numbers are essential for daily life—whether shopping, telling time, or asking for prices. Learning Thai numbers will help you communicate more effectively in Thailand.

Below, we’ll go through Thai numbers 0-1 million, counting rules, and some exercises to help you master them!

Table of Contents

Thai Numbers

Counting from 0-10

Even though Arabic numberials are commonly used in Thailand, there are Thai numbers that we use in our official or formal settings. 

NumberThai NumberThai WordPronunciation
0āđāļĻāļđāļ™āļĒāđŒsĮ”un
1āđ‘āļŦāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡nÃđeng
2āđ’āļŠāļ­āļ‡sĮ’ong
3āđ“āļŠāļēāļĄsĮŽam
4āđ”āļŠāļĩāđˆsÃŽi
5āđ•āļŦāđ‰āļēhÃĒa
6āđ–āļŦāļhÃēk
7āđ—āđ€āļˆāđ‡āļ”jÃĻt
8āđ˜āđāļ›āļ”bpàet
9āđ™āđ€āļāđ‰āļēgÃĒo
10āđ‘āđāļŠāļīāļšsÃŽp

✅ Note: The Thai number system has both Thai numers and Thai words, but Arabic numerals (0,1,2…) are widely used in daily life.

Counting 11-20

Learn Thai Number

After you learn to count from 0-10 in Thai, let’s continue with the first 2 digits using the word “āļŠāļīāļš sÃŽp” (10+)

NumberThai NumbersThai WordPronunciation
11āđ‘āđ‘āļŠāļīāļšāđ€āļ­āđ‡āļ”sÃŽp-ÃĻt
12āđ‘āđ’āļŠāļīāļšāļŠāļ­āļ‡sÃŽp-sĮ’ong
13āđ‘āđ“āļŠāļīāļšāļŠāļēāļĄsÃŽp-sĮŽam
14āđ‘āđ”āļŠāļīāļšāļŠāļĩāđˆsÃŽp-sÃŽi
15āđ‘āđ•āļŠāļīāļšāļŦāđ‰āļēsÃŽp-hÃĒa
16āđ‘āđ–āļŠāļīāļšāļŦāļsÃŽp-hÃēk
17āđ‘āđ—āļŠāļīāļšāđ€āļˆāđ‡āļ”sÃŽp-jÃĻt
18āđ‘āđ˜āļŠāļīāļšāđāļ›āļ”sÃŽp-bpàet
19āđ‘āđ™āļŠāļīāļšāđ€āļāđ‰āļēsÃŽp-gÃĒo
20āđ’āđāļĒāļĩāđˆāļŠāļīāļšyÃŪi-sÃŽp

✅ Key Rule:

  • For 11-19, use “āļŠāļīā (sÃŽp) + single-digit number, except “āļŠāļīāļšāđ€āļ­āđ‡āļ”” (sÃŽp-ÃĻt) instead of āļŠāļīāļšāļŦāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡.
  • 20 is “āļĒāļĩāđˆāļŠāļīā (yÃŪi-sÃŽp) (not āļŠāļ­āļ‡āļŠāļīāļš).

Thai Number System: 10 to 1 Million

Now, let’s learn counting from 10 to million with different digits in Thai:

NumberThai DigitThai WordPronunciation
10āđ‘āđāļŠāļīāļšsÃŽp
100āđ‘āđāđāļĢāđ‰āļ­āļĒrÃģoi
1,000āđ‘,āđāđāđāļžāļąāļ™phan
10,000āđ‘āđ,āđāđāđāļŦāļĄāļ·āđˆāļ™mÃđuen
100,000āđ‘āđāđ,āđāđāđāđāļŠāļ™sĮŽen
1,000,000āđ‘,āđāđāđ,āđāđāđāļĨāđ‰āļēāļ™lÃĄan

✅ Pattern:

  • Combine numbers, e.g., 256 = āļŠāļ­āļ‡āļĢāđ‰āļ­āļĒāļŦāđ‰āļēāļŠāļīāļšāļŦāļ (sĮ’ong-rÃģoi-hÃĒa-sÃŽp-hÃēk).
  • When saying numbers, follow the order:
    • Hundreds → Tens → Ones (e.g., 783 = āđ€āļˆāđ‡āļ”āļĢāđ‰āļ­āļĒāđāļ›āļ”āļŠāļīāļšāļŠāļēāļĄ, jÃĻt-rÃģoi-bpàet-sÃŽp-sĮŽam).

Counting Rules in Thai

  • For multiples of ten (30, 40, 50â€Ķ):

    • Use “āļŠāļīā (sÃŽp) with a number prefix (except 20).
    • e.g., āļŠāļēāļĄāļŠāļīāļš (sĮŽam-sÃŽp) = 30, āļŦāđ‰āļēāļŠāļīāļš (hÃĒa-sÃŽp) = 50.
  • For 21, 22, 23… (numbers after 20):

    • Say āļĒāļĩāđˆāļŠāļīāļš (yÃŪi-sÃŽp) + single-digit.
    • e.g., āļĒāļĩāđˆāļŠāļīāļšāđ€āļ­āđ‡āļ” (yÃŪi-sÃŽp-ÃĻt) = 21, āļĒāļĩāđˆāļŠāļīāļšāļŠāļ­āļ‡ (yÃŪi-sÃŽp-sĮ’ong) = 22.
  • For 101, 102, 103â€Ķ:

    • Say “āļŦāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡āļĢāđ‰āļ­āļĒ” (nÃđeng-rÃģoi) + remaining number.
    • e.g., āļŦāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡āļĢāđ‰āļ­āļĒāļŦāđ‰āļē (nÃđeng-rÃģoi-hÃĒa) = 105

ðŸ’Ą Tip: 

When telling an amount in Thai, we usually say the number + digit from left to right. 

Example: 

 925 = 900 + 20 + 5
gÃĒao-rÃĄawy, yÃŪi-sÃŪp, hÃĒa

3,500 = 3000 + 500
sĮŽm-pan, hÃĒa rÃĄawy

 24,050 = 20,000 + 4,000 + 50
sĮŽawng-mÃĻeuan, sÃŽi-pan, hÃĒa-sÃŪ

Examples of How to Use Numbers

asking for price_shopping in Thailand
  1. āļ‹āļ·āđ‰āļ­āļ‚āļ­āļ‡ (Shopping) 🛍ïļ

    • “āļ­āļąāļ™āļ™āļĩāđ‰āļĢāļēāļ„āļēāđ€āļ—āđˆāļēāđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ?”
      (An-níi raa-khaa tÃĒo-rài?) = “How much is this?”
    • “āļŦāđ‰āļēāļŠāļīāļšāļšāļēāļ—āļ„āđˆāļ°”
      (HÃĒa-sÃŽp bàat khÃĒ) = “50 baht.”
  2. āļšāļ­āļāļ­āļēāļĒāļļ (Telling Age) ðŸĨ

    • “āļ„āļļāļ“āļ­āļēāļĒāļļāđ€āļ—āđˆāļēāđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ?”
      (Khun aa-yÚ tÃĒo-rài?) = “How old are you?”
    • “āļ‰āļąāļ™āļ­āļēāļĒāļļ āļĒāļĩāđˆāļŠāļīāļšāļŦāđ‰āļē āļ›āļĩ”
      (ChĮŽn aa-yÚ yÃŪi-sÃŽp-hÃĒa bpii.) = “I’m 25 years old.”
  3. āļšāļ­āļāđ€āļšāļ­āļĢāđŒāđ‚āļ—āļĢāļĻāļąāļžāļ—āđŒ (Giving a Phone Number) ☎ïļ

    • “āđ€āļšāļ­āļĢāđŒāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļ‰āļąāļ™āļ„āļ·āļ­ āļĻāļđāļ™āļĒāđŒāđāļ›āļ”āļŦāđ‰āļē-āļŦāđ‰āļēāļŦāļāđ€āļˆāđ‡āļ”-āļŠāļēāļĄāļŠāļ­āļ‡āļŦāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡āđ€āļāđ‰āļē”
      (BÃķÃķ khĮŽng chĮŽn kʉʉ sĮ”un-bpàet-hÃĒa hÃĒa-hÃēk-jÃĻt sĮŽam-sĮ’ong-nÃđeng-gÃĒo.)
      = “My number is 085-567-3219.”

Exercise and Drills

ðŸ”ļ Translate into Thai:

  1. 12 
  2. 43 
  3. 105 
  4. 68
  5. 379
  6. 2,021

⏎ Scroll down to see the solution below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

🌟 Solution

ðŸ”ļ Translate into Thai:

  1. 12 = āļŠāļīāļšāļŠāļ­āļ‡ sÃŽp sÃĒawng
  2. 43 = āļŠāļĩāđˆāļŠāļīāļšāļŠāļēāļĄ sÃŽi sÃŽp sĮŽam 
  3. 105 = āļŦāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡āļĢāđ‰āļ­āļĒāļŦāđ‰āļē nÃĻung rÃĄawy hÃĒa
  4. 379 = āļŠāļēāļĄāļĢāđ‰āļ­āļĒāđ€āļˆāđ‡āļ”āļŠāļīāļšāđ€āļāđ‰āļē sĮŽam rÃĄawy, jÃĻt sÃŽp gÃĄao
  5. 2,021 = āļŠāļ­āļ‡āļžāļąāļ™āļĒāļĩāđˆāļŠāļīāļšāđ€āļ­āđ‡āļ” sĮŽawng pan, yÃŪi sÃŽp ÃĻt 

And did you get all numbers correct? ðŸĪ”

Summary & Next Steps

I hope that you now can count basic numbers in Thai and apply this to your daily situations. Here is a quick summary of what you’ve learned: 

  • There is a Thai way of writing Thai numbers, however, we use the roman numbers in out daily lives.
  • Thai numbers follow a simple pattern from left to right. 
  • Structure: Number + digit
  • Practice by reading prices, asking for numbers, and testing yourself with daily numbers.

Ready to speak fluently? 🚀 Join Banana Thai’s courses for speaking, listening, and real-life Thai skills! 🎉

This topic is on the Intensive Thai Course Volume 1. In case you’d like to build a strong foundation of Thai language and conversation, check out the online course or private lessons with BananaThai. 

Categories
How to say this in Thai Situational Thai Uncategorized

How Are You? / I’m Fine in Thai – Greetings and Answering Them

One of the most important skills when learning a new language is knowing how to greet people and respond naturally. Thai people often use casual and friendly greetings in daily conversations, and mastering these phrases can help you sound more natural and confident.

In this blog, we will explain why greetings matter in Thai culture, tell you common greetings the Thai way and different ways to respond, and tips for using greetings effectively.

Table of Contents

Why Greetings Matter in Thai Culture

For those familiar with greetings such as “Hello-How are you-I’m fine, thank-you, and you?”, you may find the Thai way of greetings and questions irrelevant or somewhat nosy. They are not so, because greetings for Thai people mean a lot, such as

Respect and Hierarchy

Thai society places a strong emphasis on respect, especially when interacting with elders, superiors, or new acquaintances. Using appropriate greetings helps convey politeness and acknowledgment of social status.

greeting helps fostering relationships
Greeting helps building and maintaining relationships

Building and Maintaining Relationships

Greeting someone properly fosters good relationships, whether with friends, colleagues, or family members. It helps create a sense of warmth and friendliness in interactions.

Creating a Positive Atmosphere

A simple greeting can brighten someone’s day and set a positive tone for the conversation. Using the right greeting can make you appear more approachable and culturally aware.

Common Thai Greetings

Let’s have a look at some greetings you might have already come across:

👋 āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āđ„āļ‡āļšāđ‰āļēāļ‡ (bpen ngai baĖ‚ang) = How’s it going?

This is a casual and friendly way to ask someone how they are doing, commonly used among friends.

👋 āļŠāļšāļēāļĒāļ”āļĩāđ„āļŦāļĄ (saĖ€-baai dii maˌi) = Are you doing well?

A polite way to check in on someone’s well-being.

greeting and answering about family
Family is the foundation of social life in Thailand

👋 āļ„āļĢāļ­āļšāļ„āļĢāļąāļ§āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđ„āļĢāļšāđ‰āļēāļ‡ (kraĖ‚awp-kruua bpen yaĖ€ang-rai baĖ‚ang) = How’s your family?

A polite and warm way to show interest in someone’s personal life, often used in more formal or caring situations. It is mainly aimed at expressing concern and care – not trying to be nosy!

📝 Note:

In Thai culture, family is considered the foundation of social life. This is why asking about family shows that you care about the family of the other as well.

👋 āļ—āļļāļāļ„āļ™āļŠāļšāļēāļĒāļ”āļĩāđƒāļŠāđˆāđ„āļŦāļĄ (tuˁk kon saĖ€-baai dii chaĖ‚i maˌi) = Is everyone doing well?

This phrase is useful when asking about a group of people, such as family or friends.

👋 āđ„āļĄāđˆāđ„āļ”āđ‰āđ€āļˆāļ­āļāļąāļ™āļ™āļēāļ™āđ€āļĨāļĒ (maĖ‚i daĖ‚ai juuh gan naan looei) = Long time no see!

This phrase is perfect for catching up with someone you haven’t seen in a while.

👋 āļ§āđˆāļēāđ„āļ‡ (wÃĒa ngai) = What’s up?

This is a very casual way to greet a friend and is used among close friends only, similar to “Hey” or “What’s up?” in English.

Responses to the Greetings

Responding to the Thai greeting may be awkward for you to do, considered that the question is not a typical way of greeting like in other parts of the world. However, there are ways for you to choose from, such as:

🙂 Positive Responses

If you’re feeling good and want to give a positive response, you can say:

  • āļŠāļšāļēāļĒāļ”āļĩ āļ‚āļ­āļšāļ„āļļāļ“ (saĖ€-baai dii, kaĖ€awp-kun) = I’m fine, thank you.
  • āļ”āļĩāļĄāļēāļāđ€āļĨāļĒ (dii maĖ‚ak looei) = Very good!
  • āļŠāđˆāļ§āļ‡āļ™āļĩāđ‰āļ”āļĩāļĄāļēāļ (chÃŧang níi dii mÃĒak) = Lately, things have been great.

â˜đïļ Negative Responses

If things aren’t going so well, you can express it politely:

  • āđ„āļĄāđˆāļ„āđˆāļ­āļĒāļ”āļĩāđ€āļ—āđˆāļēāđ„āļŦāļĢāđˆ (maĖ‚i koĖ‚i dii taĖ‚o-raĖ€i) = Not so good.
  • āđ€āļŦāļ™āļ·āđˆāļ­āļĒāļĄāļēāļāđ€āļĨāļĒ (neĖ€uuay maĖ‚ak looei) = Very tired.
  • āļŠāđˆāļ§āļ‡āļ™āļĩāđ‰āđ€āļ„āļĢāļĩāļĒāļ”āļ™āļīāļ”āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ­āļĒ (chÃŧang níi krÃŪiat nít nÃēi) = A little stressed lately.

📝 Note: You may have to be ready to tell more about it as your Thai friend or acquaintance is likely to ask further!

😐 Neutral Responses

If you don’t want to express too much, a neutral response works:

  • āļāđ‡āđ€āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļĒāđ† āļ™āļ° (gÃĒw rÃŧueai rÃŧueai nÃĄ) = Just so-so.
  • āđ‚āļ­āđ€āļ„āļ™āļ° (oh-kee nÃĄ) = I’m okay.

📝 Note:  With this kind of responses, you politely give a hint that you probably are not ready to discuss it further, or are in a hurry to do some other things.

ðŸ—Ģïļ Explanatory Responses

If you want to elaborate, try these phrases:

  • āļŠāļšāļēāļĒāļ”āļĩ āļ‡āļēāļ™āļĒāļļāđˆāļ‡āļ™āļīāļ”āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ­āļĒ (saĖ€-baai dii, ngaan yÃŧng nít nÃēi) = I’m fine, just a little busy with work.
  • āđ„āļĄāđˆāļ„āđˆāļ­āļĒāļ”āļĩ āļ›āđˆāļ§āļĒāļ™āļīāļ”āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ­āļĒ (mÃĒi koĖ‚i dii, bpuài nít nÃēi) = Not so good, I’m a little sick.
  • āđ‚āļ­āđ€āļ„āļ™āļ° āđāļ•āđˆāļĄāļĩāđ€āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ„āļīāļ”āđ€āļĒāļ­āļ° (oh-kee nÃĄ, dtàae mii rÃŧueang hÃĒi kít yuˁuh) = I’m okay, but I have a lot on my mind.

📝 Note:  With this kind of response, it is likely that the conversation will continue, which is a way Thai people use greetings as a tool for relationship building.

Tips for Using Greetings

To help you properly and comfortably interact with your Thai acquaintances or friends in the next greeting with them, here are some tips!

1ïļâƒĢ Match the Tone

When greeting someone, consider the setting and relationship. Use casual greetings with friends and more formal ones in professional or respectful situations.

2ïļâƒĢ Ask Back

To keep the conversation flowing, ask the person back by adding āđāļĨāđ‰āļ§āļ„āļļāļ“āļĨāđˆāļ°? (laˁaew kun laĖ‚?) = “And you?”

3ïļâƒĢ Use Polite Ending Particles āļ„āļĢāļąāļš (kraˁp) or āļ„āđˆāļ° (kaĖ‚)

Adding these particles makes your speech sound more polite and respectful. For example:

  • āļŠāļšāļēāļĒāļ”āļĩāđ„āļŦāļĄāļ„āļĢāļąāļš? (saĖ€-baai dii maˌi kraˁp?) – Polite way for men
  • āļŠāļšāļēāļĒāļ”āļĩāđ„āļŦāļĄāļ„āļ°? (saĖ€-baai dii maˌi kaˁ?) – Polite way for women

Related Topics

Want to improve your Thai speaking skills? Join our Banana Thai Online Course for fun and practical lessons that will help you speak Thai with confidence!

Check out our courses at BananaThaiSchool.com

Categories
Uncategorized

Understand Thai Ending Word “āļ™āļ°” nÃĄ

Master Thai reading step by step with the Ultimate Guide to Thai Reading—a structured course designed to help you decode, read, and understand Thai effortlessly.

If you’re learning Thai, you’ve probably heard the little word “āļ™āļ°” (nÃĄ) used often in conversations. 

While small, this particle carries much meaning and emotion, depending on the context. It can make a sentence softer, more polite, persuasive, or even express personal thoughts. 

In this blog post, we will introduce you to this ending word, while teaching how to use this word in this different cases. So you can sound very Thai!

Table of Contents

What is ending word?

In Thai, we have words that are placed at the end of the sentence and they imply emotions, feelings, or intentions implicitly. We call them “āļ„āļģāļĨāļ‡āļ—āđ‰āļēāļĒ” (kham long tÃĄai) or “Ending Words.” 

Many of these Ending Words might not have a direct translation, but when placed at the end of a phrase or sentence, they add more meaning and nuance.

Four Cases to use "āļ™āļ°" (nÃĄ)

"āļ™āļ°" to Inform Politely

One of the most common uses of āļ™āļ° is to make a statement sound friendlier and less abrupt. It softens the tone and makes the speaker sound more approachable.

We use the word “āļ™āļ° nÃĄ” when we would like to point out something or to make note about some information. 

ðŸ”đ Example:

  • āļ§āļąāļ™āļ™āļĩāđ‰āļ­āļēāļāļēāļĻāļ”āļĩāļ™āļ° (Wan-níi aa-kàat dii nÃĄ) = The weather is nice today.

  • āļ‰āļąāļ™āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āđ„āļ›āđāļĨāđ‰āļ§āļ™āļ° (ChÃĄn tÃīng bpai lÃĄew nÃĄ) = I have to go now.

  • āļ§āļąāļ™āļ™āļĩāđ‰āđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™āļ§āļąāļ™āļŦāļĒāļļāļ”āļ™āļ° (wan-níi bpen wan yÃđt nÃĄ) = Today, it’s a holiday.

ðŸ’Ą Tip: Without “āļ™āļ° nÃĄ” the sentence could sound more direct. Adding “āļ™āļ° nÃĄ” makes it more polite and natural in casual conversations.

"āļ™āļ° nÃĄ" to Sweetly Convince or Persuade

If you want to gently persuade someone to do something, āļ™āļ° is your best friend. It adds warmth and charm to your request.

ðŸ”đ Examples:

  • āđ„āļ›āļ”āļđāļŦāļ™āļąāļ‡āļāļąāļ™āļ™āļ° (Bpai duu năng gan nÃĄ) = Let’s go watch a movie, okay?

  • āļāļīāļ™āļœāļąāļāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ­āļĒāļ™āļ° (Gin pÃĄk nÃēi nÃĄ) = Eat some vegetables, please?

    Usually, when you would like to convince someone to do something with you, you can use the word “āļāļąāļ™ gan” (placed at the end) which means “Let’s”. 

  • āļŠāđˆāļ§āļĒāļŠāļ­āļ™āļāļēāļĢāļšāđ‰āļēāļ™āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ­āļĒāļ™āļ° (chÃŧuay sĮŽawn  gaan-bÃĒan nÃēi-nÃĄ) = Please help me with my homework. 

    And when you’d like to ask someone to help you out with something, you can use this syntax “āļŠāđˆāļ§āļĒ…āļŦāļ™āđˆāļ­āļĒ (chÃŧuay…nÃēi)”

ðŸ’Ą Tip: When asking a favor or making a suggestion, adding āļ™āļ° makes your request sound more inviting and less demanding.

"āļ™āļ° nÃĄ" to Show Personal Feelings or Thoughts

Sometimes, āļ™āļ° is used to express personal emotions, opinions, or reassurance.

ðŸ”đ Example:

  • āļ‰āļąāļ™āļŠāļ­āļšāđ€āļžāļĨāļ‡āļ™āļĩāđ‰āļĄāļēāļāļ™āļ° (ChĮŽn chÃĒawp  phleeng níi mÃĒak nÃĄ.) = I really like this song, you know.
  • āđ„āļĄāđˆāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļŦāđˆāļ§āļ‡āļ™āļ° āļ‰āļąāļ™āđ‚āļ­āđ€āļ„ (MÃĒi dtÃĒawg hÃđuang nÃĄ, chĮŽn oo-kay.) = Don’t worry, okay? I’m fine.

ðŸ’Ą Key takeaway: Adding “āļ™āļ°” makes your statement more emotional or personal!

"āļ™āļ° nÃĄ" to Gently Ask for Clarification

In a conversation, you can use āļ™āļ° to politely ask someone to repeat or confirm something.

ðŸ”đ Example:

  • āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢāļ™āļ° (A-rai nÃĄ?) = What was that?
  • āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ„āļŦāļ™āļ™āļ° (ThÃŪi-nĮŽi nÃĄ?) = Where again?
  • āļ—āļģāđ„āļĄāļ™āļ° (Tham-mai nÃĄ?) = Why was that?

ðŸ’Ą Key takeaway: Instead of saying āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ? (A-rai?) (What?) directly, adding āļ™āļ° makes it sound much softer and more polite!

Summary

The small word “āļ™āļ°” is incredibly useful in Thai especially for colloquial conversation! 

Here’s a quick recap: 

✅ To Inform – Softens statements and makes them more polite. 
✅ To Persuade – Makes requests sound gentle and sweet.
✅
To Express Feelings – Adds warmth and sincerity to opinions.
✅
To Ask Gently – Makes questions sound more polite.

Want to learn more about Thai particles and natural conversation skills? 

This topic is taught together with other “ending words” in our Intensive Thai Course Volume 4 (upper-intermediate level). 

Join our Thai courses at Banana Thai School! 🎉 Check out our online courses or private lessons today!

Related Content

Categories
Uncategorized

20 common words and phrases that includes āļĢāļąāļ (rÃĄk) “love” in Thai

Let’s expand Thai vocabulary from learning 20 compound words and phrases that include the word āļĢāļąāļ (rÃĄk) or to love in Thai.

Tips to learn Thai

Every time I want to look for a word or translation of a word in Thai, I normally visit the website http://thai-language.com.  To make more of this, I like to search Thai words to find synonyms and words that are related or contained the word you put in.

Many of these 20 words are also from the result of my search. I handpicked these phrases to teach you. So you can be sure that they are up-to-date and commonly used. 

Word and phrase list

 

1. āļĢāļąāļāđāļĢāļ rÃĄk rÃĒek = first love

2. āļĢāļąāļāđāļĢāļāļžāļš rÃĄk rÃĒek pÃģb = love at frist sight

3. āļĢāļąāļāļ„āļļāļ“āđ€āļ—āđˆāļēāļŸāđ‰āļē rÃĄk kun tÃĒo fÃĄa = My love for you is as big as the sky.

4. āļĢāļąāļāļŠāļēāļ•āļī rÃĄk chÃĒad = to be patriotic

5. āļĢāļąāļāđ€āļ”āļĩāļĒāļ§āđƒāļˆāđ€āļ”āļĩāļĒāļ§ rÃĄk diiaw jai diiaw = to be faithful to one’s spouse or lover

6. āļĢāļąāļāđāļ—āđ‰ rÃĄk-tÃĄe = true love

7. āļĢāļąāļāļ™āļ§āļĨāļŠāļ‡āļ§āļ™āļ•āļąāļ§ rÃĄk-nuan sà-ngĮ”an-dtua = to be reserved; shy; modest (traditional Thai value for ladies)

8. āļĢāļąāļāļžāļĩāđˆāđ€āļŠāļĩāļĒāļ”āļēāļĒāļ™āđ‰āļ­āļ‡ rÃĄk-pÃŪi sĮa-daai nÃģorng = to be unable to make a choice; to be in two minds 

9. āļĢāļąāļāļĢāđˆāļ§āļĄāđ€āļžāļĻ rÃĄk-rÃŧam-pÊd = homosexual

10. āļĢāļąāļāļ§āļąāļ§āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļœāļđāļ āļĢāļąāļāļĨāļđāļāđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ•āļĩ rÃĒk wua hÃĒi pÃđuk, rÃĒk lÃŧuk hÃĒi dtii = “Spare the rod, and spoil the child.” (Thai idoim)

11. āļĢāļąāļāļŠāļēāļĄāđ€āļŠāđ‰āļē rÃĄk sĮŽam sÃĒo = triangle love 

12. āļĢāļąāļāļŠāļ™āļļāļ rÃĄk sà-nÃđk = pleasure-loving

13. āļĢāļąāļāļŠāļšāļēāļĒ rÃĄk sà-baai = lazy

14. āļĢāļąāļāļŦāļĨāļąāļš rÃĄk làb = to caress (someone) to sleep or while (he or she is) sleeping

15. āļĢāļąāļāđƒāļ„āļĢāđˆāļŠāļēāļĄāļąāļ„āļ„āļĩ rÃĄk-krÃĒi sĮŽ-mÃĒk-kii = to be united

16. āļĢāļąāļāđāļ—āđ‰āđāļžāđ‰āļĢāļ°āļĒāļ°āļ—āļēāļ‡ rÃĄk-tÃĄe pÃĄe rÃĄ-yÃĄ-taang = Distance deteats true love

17. āđ€āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļĢāļēāļ§āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļĢāļąāļ rÃŧeng-raaw kwaam-rÃĄk = Love story

18. āļĢāļąāļāļĢāđ‰āļēāļ§ rÃĄk-rÃĄaw = broken love

19. āļ•āļāļŦāļĨāļļāļĄāļĢāļąāļ dtÃēk lum rÃĄk = to fall in love

20. āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļĢāļąāļāļšāļąāļ‡āļ•āļē kwaam-rÃĄk bang-dtaa = to be blinded by love\

Categories
How to say this in Thai Situational Thai Uncategorized

Common New Year Wishes in Thai āļ„āļģāļ­āļ§āļĒāļžāļĢāļ§āļąāļ™āļ›āļĩāđƒāļŦāļĄāđˆ

As many of you are celebrating the New Year and spending quality time with family and loved ones in Thailand, I would love to teach you how to say “Happy New Year!” in Thai. You will also learn some common phrases to wish your Thai friends, colleagues, and family during this joyful time.

Categories
Uncategorized

The most common gift ideas for Thai people – What to buy for Thais?

Christmas and New Year are coming. You might wonder what to buy for your Thai friends, colleagues, and family. Here are the tips with the 5 common gift ideas for New Year that Thai people enjoy.

Categories
Read and Write Thai Uncategorized

Challenges to learn Thai scripts and ways to overcome them

Many people started learning Thai scripts but gave up because of a few painful challenges.  BUT, no worries. I will help you go through all of them and give you useful tips and techniques in this blog post, just step-by-step.