Thai is one of the oldest languages in East and South-East Asia. It is a monosyllabic language which uses five tones (high, mid, low, rising, and falling tone) to alter the meaning of a single syllable. This makes it rather tricky to learn for most Westerners used to speaking non-tonal languages. The Thai script, introduced by King Rham Khamhaeng in 1283, consists of 44 consonants and 48 vowels, and is of Sanskrit origin.
Words and Phrases
When being polite the speaker ends his or her sentence with 'khrap' (for men) or 'kha' (for women). khrap and kha are also commonly used to answer 'yes' or to show agreement.
| English |
Thai |
| I |
Phom (men)
Diichan (women) |
| You |
Khun (for peers)
Thaan (for elders) |
| Thank you |
Khawp Khun (khrap/kha) |
| Hello |
Sawatdii (khrap/kha) |
| Understand |
Khao jai |
| Don't understand |
Mai khao jai |
Excuse me
Sorry |
Kor tote |
| Today |
Wan nii |
| Tomorrow |
Prung nii |
| Yesterday |
Meua waan |
| How much |
Thao rai |
| Where |
Thii nii |
| When |
Meuarai |
| This |
Nii |
| I'm not going |
Mai pai (khrap/kha) |
| Bathroom |
Hong nam |
| Go |
Pai |
|
| English |
Thai |
No
No? - Isn't it? |
Mai chai
Mai - Chai mai |
| Good |
Dii |
| Like |
Chawp |
| Hello Paul |
Sawatdii (khrap/kha) Khun Paul |
| I understand |
Khao jai (khrap/kha) |
| I don't understand |
Mai khao jai (khrap/kha) |
I'm sorry
Excuse me please |
Kor tote (khrap/kha) |
| John is going today |
Khun John pai wan nii |
| Go tomorrow |
Pai prung nii (khrap/kha) |
| Good |
Dii |
| How much is this |
Nii thao rai (khrap/kha) |
| Where is the bathroom |
Hong nam thii nii (khrap/kha) |
| Go to Pattaya when |
Pai Pattaya meuarai (khrap/kha) |
|
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