If you’re learning Thai, you’ve probably come across the word “ไม่” (mâi) quite often. It’s one of the most important and frequently used particles in Thai, but it doesn’t just mean “no” or “not”! Depending on how it’s used with another particle in the sentence, “mâi (ไม่)” can express negation, uncertainty, humility, and emphasis.
In this blog, we’ll explain some common and practical ways to use “ไม่” like a native speaker. We’ll also share example dialogues and tips to help you sound more natural in Thai conversations.
Table of Contents
1️⃣ "Mâi (ไม่)" for Negative Sentences
This is the most common use. The word “mâi (ไม่)“ is placed before a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make the sentence negative.
🟨 Examples:
- Chăn mâi bpai (ฉัน ไม่ไป) = I’m not going.
- Káo mâi hĭw (เขา ไม่หิว) = He is not hungry.
- Rao mâi kooey juuh gan (เรา ไม่เคย เจอกัน) = We have never met.
💡 Tip: Be careful with tones! “mâi (ไม่)” has a falling tone.
Do not mix it up with “mǎi” (which, in daily conversational language, is pronounced with a high tone instead), putting it at the end of the sentence to make it a yes/no question. Incorrect pronunciation might confuse listeners.
2️⃣ "Mâi....ràawk (ไม่...หรอก)" – Showing Soft Denial or Uncertainty
This structure is used to disagree softly, or to imply something probably isn’t true. It sounds less direct and more polite.
mâi (ไม่) | Adjective / Adverb | ràawk (หรอก) |
🟨 Examples:
Scenario 1
A: Cȟan ma sǎai mâak wan níi. Kǎo gròot chǎn mǎi ná?
(ฉันมาสายมากวันนี้ เขาโกรธฉันไหมนะ)
= I came very late today. Is he mad at me?
B: Kǎo mâi gròot ràawk (เขาไม่โกรธหรอก) = He’s probably not mad.
Scenario 2
A: Aa-hǎan wan níi à-ròy mâak jing-jing. Kun tam aa-hǎan gèng mâak ná kráp
(อาหารวันนี้อร่อยมากจริงๆ คุณทำอาหารเก่งมากนะครับ)
= Today’s food is so delicious. You are an excellent cook indeed!
B: Chǎn tam aa-hǎan mâi gèng ràawk kâ (ฉันไม่เก่งหรอกค่ะ) = I’m not that good.
💬 This is a great way to sound polite and non-confrontational—something very Thai!
3️⃣ "Mâi....tâo-rài (ไม่...เท่าไหร่)" – Showing Humbleness
This expression is often used to downplay your ability or experience. It’s a polite and humble way to say you’re “not very” good at something.
mâi (ไม่) | Adjective / Adverb | tâo-rài (เท่าไหร่) |
🟨 Examples:
Scenario 1
A: Kun yùu meeuang Thai maa naan láaew rǔuh ká? Pûut Thai gèng mâak looey!
(คุณอยู่เมืองไทยมานานแล้วเหรอคะ พูดไทยเก่งมากเลย!)
= Have you been in Thailand for a long time? You speak Thai very well!
B: Bpii diiaw eeng kráp. Pǒm pûut Thai mâi gèng tâo-rài
(ปีเดียวเองครับ ผมพูดไทย ไม่เก่งเท่าไหร่)
= Just one year. I’m not very good at speaking Thai.
Scenario 2
A: Kun lên gii-dtâa bpen mái?
(คุณเล่นกีต้าร์เป็นไหม?)
Can you play the guitar?
B: Pǒm lên gii-dtâa mâi gèng tâo-rài, dtàae paaw lên pleeng ngâai-ngâai dâai kráp.
(ผมเล่นกีต้าร์ไม่เก่งเท่าไหร่ แต่พอเล่นเพลงง่ายๆได้ครับ)
= I’m not that good at playing the guitar, but I can only play some simple songs.
🙇 This is very common in Thai culture where modesty is appreciated. These phrases make your responses sound humble and help keep conversations warm and natural. Plus, they encourage further discussion instead of shutting down the topic! 😊
4️⃣ "Mâi...looey (ไม่...เลย)" – Strong Negation or Emphasis
This structure is used when you want to emphasize not at all or absolutely not.
mâi (ไม่) | Verb / Adjective / Adverb | looey (เลย) |
🟨 Examples:
Scenario 1
A: Nǎng rêeuang níi mâi mii pâak. Tuuh fang kâo-jai mái?
(หนังเรื่องนี้ไม่มีพากย์ เธอฟังเข้าใจไหม?)
= This movie has no subtitles. Can you follow what they’re saying?
B: Mâi kâo-jai looey. Pûuak-kǎo pûut reo mâak!
(ไม่เข้าใจเลย พวกเขาพูดเร็วมาก!)
= I don’t understand at all. They speak so fast!
Scenario 2
A: Tuuh àawk gam-lang-gaai maa lǎai chûua-moong láaew ná. Mâi nèeuay rǔuh?
(เธอออกกำลังกายมาหลายชั่วโมงแล้วนะ ไม่เหนื่อยเหรอ?)
= You’ve been exercising for hours! Aren’t you tired?
B: Mâi nèeuay looey. Yang mii raaeng wîng dtàaw!
(ไม่เหนื่อยเลย ยังมีแรงวิ่งต่อ!)
= I’m not tired at all. I still have the energy to keep running!
📢 Use this when you want to make your point clear—don’t overdo it in polite situations.
🎯 Wrap-Up
Mastering the use of “ไม่” (mâi) is essential for sounding natural and polite in Thai. As we’ve seen, this little word goes far beyond simple negation.
- You can use “mâi/ไม่” to form basic negative sentences,
- express doubt or softness with “mâi…ràawk/ไม่…หรอก,”
- show modesty through “mâi…tâo-rài /ไม่…เท่าไหร่,”
- or emphasize a strong “no” with “mâi…looey/ไม่…เลย.”
Each structure brings a different tone and nuance to your Thai conversations.
The examples and scenarios in this blog highlight how Thai speakers use “ไม่” in everyday life—not just to deny something, but also to express emotion, humility, or emphasis in a culturally appropriate way.
As you practice, pay attention to tone and context so you can communicate clearly and respectfully. With these tips, you’ll be one step closer to speaking Thai like a native.
Keep practicing, keep listening, and don’t be afraid to use “ไม่” in new ways!
At BananaThai, we love helping learners like you gain confidence in speaking naturally and comfortably. Whether you’re a beginner or brushing up your skills, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
🚀 Ready to Speak Thai with Confidence?
If this blog helped you, imagine what you could learn in a live session with our expert teachers!
👉 Contact BananaThai today to join our interactive Thai classes. Let’s make learning Thai fun and effective—together!
