Level Two Thai Language
Start with the Basics of Thai Language. This second part may be a little much for the average traveler – remember that I was there for 6 months! But we’ll carry on with a few more awesome words and phrases for travelers who love learning new languages. Thai is underlined with American pronunciations explained in parentheses (not super concerned with the tones here).
- I want. Ow ka/khap. Ow pad thai ka. Ow beer khap.
- I can’t do it. Mai dai ka/khap (my die). I can’t, but more like, I could not possibly… climb that mountain/ride a scooter/wrestle that tiger. Mai dai ka! Which is different than I won’t.
- Mai is “no” but is also used to turn any sentence into a question. Since it’s a tonal language, the voice doesn’t go up at the end of a sentence like in English. Instead, they add mai to mark a question. Mee…mai? Mee + object of desire + mai = do you have object of desire? So: Mee pad thai mai – do you have pad thai?
- Sizes. Big = Yai (rhymes with why), little = Lek (rhymes with peck). A large bottle of local beer is Chong Yai, Chang being the brand in the green bottle, pronounced “chong” not Chang as written. This is probably the most relevant use to your travels but will also help with shopping.
Shopping
Shopping in Thailand is great! Here are some phrases that will help your negotiations.
- How much (does it cost)? Tao rai ka/khap ( tao like the beginning of towel, rai like rye bread). How much for that sarong, as you gesture like Vanna White? Or hold two items to see how much they cost together, hoping for a better deal. They’ll usually respond in Thai and English, but learning a few Thai numbers is helpful.
- Can you make it cheaper? Lot noi dai mai (na)ka/khap with a smile always.
- I don’t want it. Mai ow ka/khap (my ow like in hour). Ok to say to persistent vendors, with a smile of course. The ka/khap makes it more like, “no thanks” versus “bug off!”
- That one: Ti nung ka/khap. This one: An ni ka/khap. When Vanna White-ing to a specific item.
- A little extra sweetness, na. Na is used like “thank you so much” as in khap khun na ka/khap. Or tao rai na ka to get a better deal. Use it sincerely though!
Numbers.
Practice counting with little kids, it’s awesome!
1 neung, 2 song, 3 sam, 4 see, 5 ha, 6 hok, 7 jedt, 8 baa, 9 gao, 10 sib.
20 = song-sib.
Hundred is roi, so 100 = neung-roi.
Thousand is ponn so 1000 = neung-ponn.
The number 5 is pronounced like “ha” so in texts or emails, “555” translates to “hahaha,” or LOL!
I love Thai Pod 101, both on YouTube and your favorite podcast provider for an intro to the language. Thai is THE hardest language I ever learned so don’t be too hard on yourself! Also, don’t expect to read it. I still can’t after half a year there!
