While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. 365 Must-Know Thai Phrases for Everyday Conversation; Tamago: E-Picture Book for Learning Thai; Merchandise. It’s a very tourist friendly country and if someone doesn’t understand the language, they will usually point you in the direction of someone who can speak. Chai / Mai Chai (chai / my–chai) — Yes / No. Use these notes along with the Thai speaker in the video to work on your tones. The Wrap-Up: Basic Thai Phrases. guide to travel and living in Thailand, and the Thai language Phaeng Mark Pai (feng-mak-pie) / Too Expensive. spoken mainly in Thailand. What terrific tips! Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. 10 things to know about the Thai language, Learn the letters of the Thai alphabet - all 42, Quick Fix: Essential phrases in 40 languages, A bank of audio clips, vocabulary and more, Pictures and translations of Thai street signs. Trust me, a small compliment goes a long way! Note: all links on this site to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.fr are affiliate links. Learning the basics in the native language makes travel a little more fun and engaging. If you need to type in many different languages, the Q International Keyboard can help. Thai (ภาษาไทย) Thai is a Tai-Kadai language spoken by about 65 million people mainly in Thailand (ประเทศไทย), and also in the Midway Islands, Singapore, the UAE and the USA Thai is closely related to Lao, and northern dialects of Thai are more or less mutually intelligible with Lao, particularly the Lao spoken in northern Thailand. If you donate to us, we will put the donated money into improving the site even more by adding content and services. 9 Useful Thai Phrases February 19, 2008 // by Roy Cavanagh Even if you are only in Thailand for a few weeks, if you can learn a few words of the Thai language it can be amazing the difference it can make to your interaction with the locals. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. "Pla" (fish) becomes "Pah" and, "Krub/Khrup" sounds more like "carb". Click to find out more about us and how we've turned this travel blog into a business. Take these phrases with you on your mp3 player and as a print-out! Hello – Sawadee khrup/ka; Thai key phrases. (in response to "thank you"). What a great round up of words and phrases to know! This section contains 400 of the most used phrases in Thai. Without knowing the tones or inflections, almost anything you try to say beyond the most basic, may make no sense to the Thai ear. See these phrases in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder.If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me.. Key to abbreviations: m = said by men, f = said by women The addition of the word Krub/khrup (male speaker) and Kah/kaa (female speaker) makes what is being said "polite". Suay / Lo Mak (soo–way / low-mak) — Very Beautiful / Handsome. The Thai language has 5 tones, but for those who can't read the Thai alphabet, I have provided some instructions as to when to go up and down in tone for certain words. BBC © 2014 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. . Basic Thai Phrases. The Rs and Ls may also be dropped altogether;  i.e. This should help you improve your speaking, reading and writing. Learning the basics is always a good idea. Thanks! Useful Thai phrases. Thai key phrases. You will most likely butcher the word initially, but Thais will readily assist you with pronunciation, and this simple greeting will certainly help you as you continue your travels. Download mp3 - right click and choose 'save target as'. Hopefully, this article has given you a brief overview of the various Thai phrases which will definitely come to use when traveling around. Nothing is worse than being ridiculously hungry only to find out that your food is way too spicy to eat. Invest in Thai lessons- If you’re serious about learning Thai while you are in the country, invest in lessons. Unfortunately I really don’t have any talent for languages so it is never going to get me to a conversant level in any of them. I remember learning the Thai basics when we were over there, but this is very useful! A collection of useful phrases in Thai, a Tai-Kadai language spoken mainly in Thailand. This is so great! travel plans. Listen and learn the Thai alphabet, consonants, vowels and tonal marks here. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'omniglot_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',141,'0','0'])); Download the audio files (Zip format, 2.7MB). Learn how to communicate that you are hungry in a way that does not involve rubbing your stomach. At the very least your efforts will amuse, and possibly even impress Thai people. in any combination of two languages in the Phrase Finder. It can definitely go a long way in making friends. (a-nee–tow–rye) / How Much Is This? The Rule: If you are male, you end sentences with the word (khrup/krap) similarly if you are female, you end your sentences with the word (ka/kap). Tower of Babel | Thai Love Phrases Transcript. In this article, I am going to walk you through a few basic Thai phrases and words that will immensely help you when traveling around the country. (hong-nam-you–tee–nye) / Where Is The Bathroom? (You’re welcome! I divided this section into 4 pages, the first 100 are listed on this page, then the rest here: phrases 2, phrases 3, phrases 4. Mai bpen rai. you can provide recordings, please contact me. The only way to progress beyond the Thai "baby" stage, is to listen and mimic. Take these phrases with you on your mp3 player and as a print-out! In order to see this content you need to have both Javascript enabled and Flash installed. Arm yourself with a map and the knowledge of how to give some basic directions in Thai, and you will be less likely to arrive at the wrong destination. Haawng Naam Yuu Thee Nai? This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. Jump to phrases. Thai people love spicy food. – Ra ka tao rai khrup/ka? If you have any question about this course, please email me directly at Thai Classes. "roi" (100) becomes "loi" and "Chiang Rai" sounds like "Chiang Lai". Be prepared for these scenarios: learn how to say, “excuse me”. So next time a Thai person gets your order wrong or accidentally bumps you while you’re waking, just bust out these famed words, “Mai Pen Rai” and no doubt you will get a smile and a look of surprise. I often listen in on people speaking and see if I can make out any words that sound like English. Gin Khao Lou Mai? Learning a bit of the local lingo will not only make your travels easier, it will also enable you interact more with your local hosts. Naturally, there are loads of other Thail words but the ones listed above are the basics! To reduce your chances of having your mouth set aflame, learn this simple phrase. Thai Books- You can even pick up books similar to this one below to help you practice the basic words. Mai Khao Jai (my–cow-jai) / I Don’t Understand. Editor’s Note: Check out our ultimate guide on Thailand Travel Tips which features the best things to do, where to stay, and what to eat. We recommend using Cookly to search for cooking classes while in the Thailand. It definitely makes traveling easier when you can communicate. Thai Alphabet; Thai Numbers; 12 Months in Thai; Personalized I Love Thailand; Cool Thai T-shirts; Private Lessons. Listen and learn the Thai alphabet, consonants, vowels and tonal marks Food poisoning taking its toll on your bowels? Adventure in You is an adventure travel blog inspiring you to live the life you've always wanted. I do think it makes a big difference when you are travelling to know a few phrases. Leo Sai / Leo Kwaa (lee-yo-sigh/lee-yo-kwa) — Turn Left / Turn Right. Mai Aow (krub/kah) - I don't want it. Mai bpen rai. Topics include Things to Do, Dining Scene & more! Lol. Hey there! Mai Sai Nam Tam (my–sigh-nam-tam) / No Sugar. Practice- Practice with locals, practice by watching music videos, game shows, or cartoons. If you are female, use the phrases ending kà and beginning di-chún. If you can provide recordings, corrections or additional translations, please contact me. So by clicking on these links you can help to support this site. Basically, these are expressions which you might use when starting a conversation with someone you have just met. She looks so friendly. Learning materials, - Learn Thai with Glossika This is used to make your sentence or question polite and respectful. Getting to know the basic phrases when travelling is such a nice thing, not only to show respect, but to also feel more in touch with the culture! more. Spend time with local Thais- Making friends and regularly hanging out with locals is the best and easiest way to pick up the language. Reduce your chances of paying double what a Thai would pay for the same item by learning to ask “how much” in the native tongue. Download mp3 - right click and choose 'save target as' . Basic Thai Phrases to help you when traveling Thailand. Great tips, especially for the Thai language which can sound very difficult to learn and speak. Yin Dee! Note: Thai language has its own script with 44 consonant letters, 15 vowel symbols that combine into at least 28 vowel forms, four tone diacritics, and an own set of numerals. You're welcome! If you can, learn to perform the “wai” (deep bow) when using this helpful phrase. If you are travelling in the major tourist areas of Thailand you will have little trouble finding locals who speak a little English. This article was originally written by Kelly Iverson and has since been updated. You will find a lot of them are about greeting someone, introducing yourself or asking where someone is from ... etc. Click to find out more about us and how we've turned this travel blog into a business. I’ll bookmark this for my next trip to Thailand. I could’ve used this last year before my trip lol. Want to learn how to travel forever? Instead, just repeat this phrase over and over until someone can (hopefully) translate. For some phrases below, two versions are given. When traveling the country, check out some of the tours listed below which we highly recommend. Bathrooms are hard to come by in Thailand, and oftentimes you won’t be able to find one until it might be too late. I do this all the time regardless if its a nice restaurant or some hole in the wall street food joint. The power of a compliment cannot be underestimated, especially when traveling in a foreign country. Parting ways and unsure what to say? I am very allergic to meat, dairy and eggs. http://www.phrasebook.thai-isan-lao.com, A New Life in Thailand by Nigel Cobbett - a comprehensive ebook The more polite you are, the better your experience will be. Thais hate losing face, so the more you can brush off any unpleasant experience, the better you will fare among locals. Love your photos, especially the one of the Thai woman! If you cannot donate, please tell your friends about the site. (gin-cow–lou–mye) / Have You Eaten Yet? This is really useful, thank you! While some may be more approachable to foreign learners than others, they’re surely all not flawless. Driven by epic adventure stories and good food, she is on a mission to go, eat, and write about as many places as she can. Sugar is to Thailand what salt is to the Western world. http://nigelcobbett.weebly.com, Information about Thai | A collection of useful phrases in Thai, a Tai-Kadai language 11 Basic Thai Greetings, Words & Phrases In addition to saving the day, being able to speak a few common Thai greetings and words can also be a great ice-breaker when dealing with locals. and, as such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated and cannot be What a useful guide. If you have any questions, please contact me If you simply want to ask a question, please Thai contact form on the header above. Can you give me a discount please?– Ga ru na lot ra ka hai noi khrup/ka? If you are male, use the phrases ending krúp and beginning pǒm. Personal pronouns also change according to the gender of the speaker. The first thing you need to know is that the Thai language changes a bit depending on whether the speaker is a man or a woman. Exploring the whole list will make it easier to start conversations and understand what was said to you. For some phrases below, two versions are given. Want to show some appreciation for the delicious food you just inhaled? Learning a language, or at least trying to is a huge part of traveling. If you’re worried about the level of English spoken in the country- don’t! Welcome to thai-language.com, your Internet resource for learning the Thai language for over 15 years. It’s a conversation filler and a way to check in to see how someone is faring. Here are the rest of the Thai phrases: phrases 2, phrases 3, phrases 4. For example, if you want to order Pad Thai, you would say ao pad thai.If they offer you a sauce or ask if you want something else, you would say either ao (want) or mai ao (don’t want). That way, you can also improve your textbook-based learning into a more relaxed tone. Plus, the more you try to speak it, the more you’ll learn, and Thai people really DO appreciate visitors that attempt their language. Culture Trip stands with Black Lives Matter. Likely one of the most important words to learn in the Thai language especially if you’re wandering around in the heat of the day and feeling parched. If your bus broke down in the middle of the road, instead of complaining and worrying, Thai’s would just say “mai pen rai” which means, it’s okay, don’t worry, everything will be alright. Going through each page should take about 30 min. commented on by travelers at this time. This article contains a discussion by Tripadvisor members concerning the above topic. I’d like to use some of the phrases to say hello. Learn this phrase to interact and commiserate with your local hosts or to explain why your red, dripping with sweat and in need of assistance. Download mp3 - right click and choose 'save target as' . Visit BBC Webwise for full instructions. Impress your driver with directional basics to help get around with ease. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Thailand is a country famous for its cuisine, so it is only natural that we cover how to order meals in the language. This is used to make your sentence or question polite and respectful. Practicing the basics and starting it off with proper knowledge on the languages’ phonemes and accents will help you in mastering this language. Sometimes, a restaurant will intentionally make the dish mildly spicy, knowing that a foreigner cannot handle the heat. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. In a nutshell, the Thai phrases and expressions cover the essentials to help you travel around the country. Adventure in You Pte LTD. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. This phrase is particularly handy if your tuk tuk driver is hooning along at top speeds and you would like them to slow down. Great post and tips…. Here are the first 100 common phrases. Spare yourself the desperate search with this simple phrase (and be prepared for the squat toilets and bum guns). Thai people become friendlier when they realise that you are making an effort to learn their language. Here you'll find 21491 audio clips, over 76542 dictionary entries, 826 images and illustrations, message boards, and a friendly world-wide community of folks who are interested in Thai language, culture, residency, and travel. The Thai words as written in the Thai alphabet are included below, as well as a phonetic pronunciation of … We’ve compiled a list of 21 “paa saa Thai” phrases that will help you get around. Out of all the essentials, being able to say hello, how are yo and thank you are non-negotiable on my list. You may make a fool of yourself sometimes, but also immersing yourself into a different culture with even a little language skills goes a long way. Omniglot is how I make my living. We're Tom and Anna, the two travellers behind this travel blog, Adventure in You. (In some areas "R" words take an "L" sound. Take these phrases with you on your mp3 player and as a print-out! Conversational Thai is the way to go! Sri Racha is pronounced "See Rachaa". http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Thai/spokenthai/unit2/Useful_words/usefulword.htm You can also simply click on one of the links below or go back to our Learn Thai homepage. Read more. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'omniglot_com-box-3','ezslot_0',115,'0','0'])); See these phrases It is suggested you pick out and print the appropriate phrase (perhaps laminate it, or make several business card sized copies) for peace of mind when dining at restaurants in Thailand. Each page contains 100 common expressions. Being able to direct a taxi, tuk-tuk or Songtaew driver will likely save you time and money. I especially like the food ordering tips. In Thailand, this phrase is used in more ways than it’s literal meaning and can even be used as a form of “hello”. And like you said, most locals in touristy areas speak English, but I really do think they appreciate it when visitors at least make an effort to speak Thai. (kŏr sà-daeng kwaam yin dee), ขอโทษฉันไม่เข้าใจ (kŏr tôht chăn mâi kâo jai), แปลให้หน่อยได้ไหม (bplae hâi nòi dâai măi), มีเมนูภาษาอังกฤษไหม (mee may-noo paa-săa ang-grìt măi). Learning basic words is showing effort, respect, and an open mind. Whether it’s being able to say please and thank you or mastering essential phrases like how to order a beer. For full information, please see our, Basic Thai to Impress and Gain Street Cred. If you are travelling in the major tourist areas of Thailand you will have little trouble finding locals who speak a little English. This page mainly uses the Thai2English Thailand is a crowded place. When it comes to getting ripped off, taxi drivers are the biggest offenders. For people concerned with allergies and anaphylaxis, the list below may prove useful. Please note that the discussion was closed to any additional postings as of Nov 1, 2016 Read more. http://www.phuket.net/visit-phuket/tips/thai-phrases.htm So go ahead and learn to speak some thai language (pood pasa thai). Phrases | This means I earn a commission if you click on any of them and buy something. Key to abbreviations: m = said by men, f = said by women. Click below to join our free travel blog training! When you order, you place the word ao before saying what you want. Other collections of Thai phrases From Bangkok, the most congested city in the world, to island hopping in the south of Thailand, visitors are going to be utilising more than a handful of forms of public transportation. Thailand reaches scorching temperatures in the hot season and can be a little confronting at times. When traveling in Thailand, although most people, especially those in the touristy areas speak English, here are a few basic Thai phrases that will help you get by. Editor’s Note: Mai Pen Rai is one of my favorite Thai phrases as it’s just such a foreign concept. Trust me, it happens more often than you think. We’ve compiled a list of 21 “paa saa Thai” phrases that will help you get around. After her year long stint traveling around the world, Anna found her love for exploring new places insatiable. This is such a good idea for a post! Missed a flight? Practice by downloading useful apps to help you practice. I hope this basic Thai phrases guide can help you with your future travels to Thailand. Speak your mind with this marketplace soundbite. The difficulty in trying to learn some Thai from the written English (often called - Thinglish) word is that the various transliterations cannot communicate the correct tones. If you would like to make any corrections or additions to this page, or if Someone charging you a little too much baht for your souvenirs? However, a few handy phrases can go a long way to getting a friendly reception wherever you go in the country. Our goal is to make this website the best in the world and 100% free. If you like this site and find it useful, you can support it by making a donation via PayPal or Patreon, or by contributing in other ways. The Rule: If you are male, you end sentences with the word (khrup/krap) similarly if you are female, you end your sentences with the word (ka/kap). (smile when you say this, it is polite, yet will dissuade any street seller from pursuing you further). This should help you improve your speaking, reading and writing.Exploring the whole list will make it easier to … I am allergic to nuts and eggs a lot. For some phrases below, two versions are given. Basic Thai phrases for directions (taxis, buses, airport, etc.) It enables you to type almost any language that uses the Latin, Cyrillic or Greek alphabets, and is free. About Our Lessons; About the Teachers. A simple “lah gorn” and/or a “wai” will suffice. Yin Dee! Your email address will not be published. It’s important to remember that, for each of the below phrases, you will also need to add a gender marker at the end. Local people really appreciate it. Heading on holiday to Thailand? If you’re really serious about learning Thai, here are a few tips: Best GoPro Alternatives: Ultimate Guide to Action Cameras, Thailand Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring [UPDATED], Definitive Guide: 15 Best Hiking Sandals of 2020, Ultimate List: Best Packable Down Jackets for Men and Women 2020. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. How much does this cost? Thais are extremely friendly, but in Thailand as elsewhere, foreigners must be wary of scams. Make sure to read the pronunciation and hear the audio as well. Most of all, HAVE FUN (mee sanuk). Being able to speak the native language in any country you decide to visit is important and very appreciated by the locals. I always try to learn a little of the local language before we visit a country. Please take this into account when making your There are many systems for transcribing Thai into the Roman alphabet. Neung, song, saam, see, haa, hook, jet, baat, gow, sip (one to ten). Often used as a way of saying, oh well or never mind! If you like your coffee stiff or simply do not want the extra calories, know this simple phrase. here. If I eat I will die. Thai (ภาษาไทย phaasǎa Thai) is the official language of Thailand and the native language of the Thai people around the world.. Thai is member of the Tai-Kadai language family, just like Lao, with which the language is closely related.There are several different dialects are spoken in the distinct regions of the country, namely the central, northern and southern dialects. Khop khun ka! i.e. With that in mind, here are a few Thai words essential for eating and ordering food. never mind (handy all purpose phrase to express the Thai go-with-the-flow attitude). So that’s it for the basics! Ordering Food And Drinks. (You’re welcome!) Whether riding the sky train or island hopping by boat, you are going to step on some toes – both literally and figuratively. View some simple Thai phrases here. Greetings and Essentials. Sugar and condensed milk make appearances in everything from noodle soup to black coffee. Locals really appreciate it when you make an effort to learn their language, and I like that you included some for gaining street cred , I love learning a bit of the language from the places I visit. A Nee Tao Rai? Do not get frustrated when you do not understand something (or everything). Copyright © 1998–2020 Simon Ager | Email: | Hosted by Kualo, http://www.phuket.net/visit-phuket/tips/thai-phrases.htm, http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/thphrase.htm, http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Thai/spokenthai/unit2/Useful_words/usefulword.htm, ThaiPod101.com - Learn Thai with Free Podcasts, Bite Size Languages - learn languages quickly, ขอแสดงความยินดี! Words like "soi" (lane/small street), "BTS" (Bangkok Mass Transit System), "Sukhumwit" (name of Bangkok's main road) and "Su-wan-napoom" (Suvarnabhumi -  Bangkok International Airport) are straightforward, but that's not usually the case. Master these three words and you will most likely make a friend or impress a local. They are like the Airbnb of cooking classes making it easy to book and find the perfect one for you! Chawp Pet Noi (chop–pet-noy) / I Like It A Little Bit Spicy. This section contains 400 of the most used phrases in Thai. You are kindly welcome to do so here: Donate. Also try to practice what you memorized from time to time, to make it stick. While a gratuity is always appreciated, express to your cook that the food was delicious, and you will be sure to receive a smile in return. Even though my pronunciation isn’t the best, I personally do it because I love getting wide grins and chuckles from locals when I say something unexpected in their language. ). Thailand has some of the most delicious dishes in the world. Greet anyone and everyone who crosses your path. Thai Phrases and Language Difficulties. Following are commonly used Thai words and phrases pertaining to communicating in Thai or English when you are abroad. transliteration system for Thai, or the system used in Lonely Planet Thai phrasebooks. To make sure you are more likely to remember each expression, try to first to read the sentence without hearing it, then click to hear how it is prnounced, then read it out loud 3 times while imagining yourself vividly talking to somone. Editor’s Note: Looking to discover more about Thai food? - ThaiPod101.com - Learn Thai with Free Podcasts. Learning a bit of the local lingo will not only make your travels easier, it will also enable you interact more with your local hosts. Alternatively, if you are trying to direct someone this phrase can be very useful. Even if you do not understand everything that is being said to you, you’ll be surprised how often you can use a simple “chai” or “mai chai”. http://thaiarc.tu.ac.th/thai/thphrase.htm This means that if you are female, you should finish your sentence with the word Ka (khaa), and if you are male, you should finish with the word Krup (khrap). Also, when eating in a restaurant, it pays to compliment them by saying “aroy” for the food as you’re about to pay. We've been traveling the world for the last four years in search of the best adventures.