![]() ![]() This is one of those really useful Thai phrases. This used whether you want to say ‘excuse me’ (for example, to get your server’s attention or if you need someone to move out the of the way in a market) or ‘I’m sorry’ (if you bump into someone).įor simplicity sake, say chai for ‘yes’ and mai chai for ‘no.’ Although more advanced speakers use different words, Thai vendors will understand your intentions.Ĭan you speak English? | koon poot pah-sah un-grit dai mai We don’t hear this too often, but you might be inclined to say it after someone has thanked you. It’s customary to say ‘Thank you’ after buying something or enjoying a good meal. It’s the general greeting to say hello and it often replaces good morning and good afternoon, too.Īs a whole, Thailand is a very polite society. This is one of the most basic Thai phrases you can learn. Plus, now you’ll know how to pronounce them! Basic Phrases Ok, here’s our mini guide to essential Thai phrases and words. Even more casually, drop the ‘r’ and say suh-waht-dee kup. It doesn’t matter who you’re speaking to, just who you are.įor example, the word ‘hello’ is written sawatdee or sawasdee. Women always say ka and men always say krup. These polite participles are used to show respect and politeness and make the sentence ‘sound nicer’ to Thai ears. In Thailand, it’s customary to finish a sentence or complete thought with the words ka or krup. ![]() If there is no hyphen, then it’s a new word. Oh yeah, and when we spell a word with more than one syllable, we use a hyphen between the syllables. It helps to imagine the letter being really tiny at the end of the word. Lastly, the end consonant (the ‘t’ in cat, the ‘k’ in book) in all Thai words is rarely enunciated. Although your lips and tongue form the ‘t,’ ‘p,’ or ‘k’ at the end of the word, you stop short of exhaling any air. Secondly, the stress often falls on the last syllable. For example, my name, Angela (AEN-jeh-la in American English), is pronounced un-ji-llAAaah in Tinglish. In our American English phonetic transcription throughout the post, here’s how to pronounce the vowels and consonants using letter combinations you should already be familiar with: Vowels Mind you, there are at least three official phonetic transcription styles plus dozens of various spelling on different websites and YouTube channels. Since we didn’t include voice recordings (and because the Thai language has its own script ภาษาไทยมีลักษณะเช่นนี้, we’ve put together a little blurb on the pronunciations. ![]() Thai Pronunciations and Phonetic Spelling Not sure what you should learn? We’ve put together a solid list of Thai phrases and words you’ll be glad to have while traveling around Thailand. And you know what? They were genuinely excited and intrigued to talk with us!Įven though there are a lot of Thai people who speak English in major cities such as Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai, learning just a few essential Thai phrases while traveling in Thailand can really change your experience, especially if you venture into smaller towns or the countryside. A few weeks before our flight, we taught ourselves a few simple but useful Thai phrases to practice with our tuk-tuk drivers, servers, and tour guides. We remember how excited we were to speak a little Thai on our very first trip to Thailand. Use Scan QR Code to copy link and share it ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |