Lingua Thai

Even a modest attempt to speak Thai will earn you a happy smile and respect from many Thais. Thai is a tonal language and by slightly rising or lowering the tone will change the meaning of the word. The word "my" can have five different meanings all controlled by the tone in which it is pronounced.

Thai also uses a slightly different vocabulary for men and women.

The masculine Thai word for ‘me’ or ’I’ is pom , the feminine equivalent is dichan. Thais always include a polite closing word to a statement, men finish a sentence with the Thai word Krup and women close with Ka. The words have little if any direct translation but a Thai will think very highly of you if you use it.

Farang may be the first Thai word that you encounter during your stay in Thailand. Thais use the word "farang" to refer to Caucasian people, or things associated with them (such as western food ahan farang). The word is commonly believed to be derived from the Thai pronunciation of the name of a early visitor from Greece, Constantine Phaulkon who figures prominently in Thai history.

There is a vocabulary section of Thai words for those who want to practice a little Thai during their stay. Learning the numbers and how to say "thank you" and "how much?" will greatly assist you when bargaining with the locals.

Thai Vocabulary

Greetings and small talk
Greetings, hello, good-bye
Sawadee
Excuse me
Khor-thot
Never mind
Mai pen rai
Thank you
Kop-khun
How are you?
Khun sabai dee mai?
I am fine, thank you
Sabai dee, kop kun
My name is ……..
Pom\Chan cheu……
What is your name?
Kun cher arai?
Please
Ka-roo-na
Good luck
Chok dee
Do you have?
Mee mai?
Very good
Dee maak
I do not want
Mai ao Khrap\Ka
I understand
Pom\Chan kao jai
Do you understand?
Kao jai mai?
I do not understand
Pom\Chan mai kao jai

Directions
Where
Tee Nai
When
Meu-arai
Turn right
Leow khwa
Turn left
Leow sai
Go straight
By trong pai
Slow down
Cha-cha
Stop here
Yoot ti nee
What street is this?
Ni thanon arai?
I want to go ……
Pom\Chan yak-ja pai …….
Restaurant
Run ah-han
Airport
Sanam bin
Bus Station
Sa-thani rot meh
Train Station
Sa-thani rot fai
Hotel
Rong ram
Police Station
Sa-thani tam ruat
Post Office
Praisanii
Hospital
Rong paya-ban

Time
Today
Wan ni
Tomorrow
Phrung ni
Yesterday
Meua waan

Shopping
How much is this?
Raka thao-rai?
Too expensive
Paeng gurn pai
Any discount?
Lot raka noi dai mai?
Not expensive
Mai paeng
Do you have another color?
Mee si earn mai?
Bigger
Yai-kwa
Smaller
Lek kwa
I want more
Ow-ek
Enough
Paw

Beach Language
Beach
Haat
The weather is hot
Ahgaat rawn
White sand
Sai Khao
High tide
Nam khern
Low tide
Nam long
Big waves
Khluen nam yai
Strong wind
Lom raeng
Nice weather
Ahgaat dee
Rain
Fon-tok
Sunburn
Daet phao
Fruit
Pon la mai
Thirsty
Hiu nam
Rent boat
Chao ruea
Diving
Dam Nam
Fishing
Tok pla

Numbers
One
Neung
Two
Sawng
Three
Saam
Four
See
Five
Haa
Six
Hok
Seven
Jet
Eight
Paet
Nine
Kow
Ten
Sip
Eleven
Sip et
Twelve
Sip Sawng
Twenty
Yee-sip
Thirty
Saam-sip
Forty
See-sip
Fifty
Haa-sip
Sixty
Hok-sip
Seventy
Jet sip
Eighty
Paet-sip
Ninety
Kow-sip
One hundred
Neung-roy
One thousand
Neung-paan

Days of the Week
Sunday
Wan ah-thit
Monday
Wan chan
Tuesday
Wan ang-kan
Wednesday
Wan poot
Thursday
Wan parua hut
Friday
Wan sook
Saturday
Wan Sao

Months
January
Mok-kara-kom
February
Koom-pa-parn
March
Mee-na-kom
April
Mae-sai-yon
May
Preut-sar-pa-kom
June
Mee-too-na-yon
July
Kara-kada-kom
August
Sing-ha-kom
September
Kan-ya-yon
October
Too-la-kom
November
Preut-sar-jee-ka-yon
December
Tarn-wa-kom