Thai (ภาษาไทย phaasaa Thai) is the main language of Thailand. Several different dialects are spoken in the various parts of the country, namely Central (Bangkok), Northern, Northeastern, and Southern. Lao is also closely related to Thai.
Thai is a tonal language with five tones: Mid, Low, Falling, High, and Rising. Meanings can change critically based on the tone, but Thais are fairly used to hearing foreigners mangle their language and can often work out the correct tone based on context. Try not to inflect your sentences: in particular, any questions should be pronounced as flat statements, without the rising intonation ("...yes?") typical to English questions.
The Thai written langauge is essentially alphabetic, but notoriously difficult to read due to a profusion of 44 consonants (many redundant), complicated tone and vowel signage around consonants and a complete lack of spaces between words.
Thai has a complicated set of vowels that distinguishes between vowel length (short and long) and vowel position (front and back). In Thai script, vowel signs are always written around consonants and the letter ก (k) is used here to demonstrate.
Thai distinguishes between aspirated ("with a puff of air") and unaspirated ("without a puff of air") consonants. Unaspirated consonants exist in English too, but never alone: compare the sound of 'p' in "pot" (aspirated) and "spot" (unaspirated). Many English speakers find it helpful to pronounce an imperceptible little "m" in front to 'stop' the puff.
In romanized Thai, the distinction is usually represented by writing aspirated consonants with "h" and unaspirated ones without it. In particular, "ph" represents a hard aspirated 'p' and not a soft 'f', and Phuket is thus pronounced "Poo-ket". Likewise, "th" is a hard aspirated 't' and hence Thailand is pronounced "Tie-land".
Note that that the polite suffix ครับ khrap (for men) and ค่ะ khaa (for women) can and should be attached to all phrases when talking with strangers. The suffix depends solely on the speaker's gender. Also note that the pronoun for "I" is ผม phom for men and ดิฉัน di-chan for women.
|
Mai pen rai
Many a visitor has suggested, perhaps slightly tongue in cheek, that ไม่เป็นไร mai pen rai should be the national motto of Thailand. Literally "is no problem", this is most commonly used where an English speaker would say "OK", "no problem" or "never mind". But watch out, as this can also be used in the negative sense: a mai pen rai in response to a complaint about missing your bus or being overcharged now means "it's not my problem"! |
Thai numbering is quite regular and speakers of Cantonese will find many quite familiar. Note that in casual speech it is common to drop the "sip" from numbers over twenty, eg. 23 is yii-saam instead of yii-sip-saam.
Thai has its own set of numerals, shown below, but these are used quite rarely — the major exception being sites with double pricing for Thais and foreigners, the Thai price being often disguised with Thai numbers. Being able to read the Thai price just might get you in at the Thai rate.
There are no less than three systems for telling time in Thailand.
The easiest of the three is 24-hour official clock, encountered primarily in bus and railway schedules. To create an official time, simply affix naalikaa to the number of hours, so that e.g. kao naalikaa is 9 AM (0900) and sip-saam naalikaa is 1 PM (1300).
Things get a little more difficult in the 12-hour common clock. As in the West, the number of the hour runs from 1 to 12, but instead of just AM and PM, the day is divided into four sections (ตอน ton):
A 12-hour time is thus composed from the hour, the word moong and the correct ton. As exceptions, the word baai comes before moong (not after); 1 PM is just baai moong with no number; and there are special words for noon and midnight. Some examples:
All Thai months end in the suffix -kom (31 days) or -yon (30 days), except February's idiosyncratic -phan. In casual speech these are often omitted, but the word month (deuan) may be prefixed instead.
Thais often use Buddhist Era (B.E.) years, which runs 543 years ahead of the Western Calendar. 2547 B.E. is thus equivalent to 2004 A.D.
The word sii is often omitted in compounds like kaeng daeng (red curry).
Source Code
'''Thai''' (ภาษาไทย ''phaasaa Thai'') is the main language of [[Thailand]].
Several different dialects are spoken in the various parts of the country,
namely Central (Bangkok), Northern, Northeastern, and Southern. [[Lao
phrasebook|Lao]] is also closely related to Thai.
==Pronunciation Guide==
Thai is a '''tonal''' language with five tones: Mid, Low, Falling, High, and
Rising. Meanings can change critically based on the tone, but Thais are fairly
used to hearing foreigners mangle their language and can often work out the
correct tone based on context. Try not to inflect your sentences: in particular,
any questions should be pronounced as flat statements, without the rising
intonation ("...yes?") typical to English questions.
The Thai written langauge is essentially alphabetic, but notoriously difficult
to read due to a profusion of 44 consonants (many redundant), complicated tone
and vowel signage around consonants and a complete lack of spaces between words.
===Vowels===
Thai has a complicated set of vowels that distinguishes between vowel length
(short and long) and vowel position (front and back). In Thai script, vowel
signs are always written around consonants and the letter ก (''k'') is used here
to demonstrate.
; ka กะ : like 'a' in "car"
; kaa กา : like 'a' in "father" (twice the length of "a")
; kae แก : like 'a' in "man"
; ke เก : like 'e' in "bed"
; keu กึ : like 'i' in "sir"
; ki กิ : like 'i' in "fin"
; kii กี : like 'ee' in "see"
; ko กออ : like 'o' in "top"
; koe เกอ : frontal version of "u" (akin to German "ö", not found in English)
; kou โก : like 'o' in "go"
; ku กุ : like 'oo' in "hoop"
; kuu กู : like 'ue' in "blue"
===Consonants===
Thai distinguishes between '''aspirated''' ("with a puff of air") and '''unaspirated'''
("without a puff of air") consonants. Unaspirated consonants exist in English
too, but never alone: compare the sound of 'p' in "pot" (aspirated) and "spot" (unaspirated).
Many English speakers find it helpful to pronounce an imperceptible little "m"
in front to 'stop' the puff.
In romanized Thai, the distinction is usually represented by writing aspirated
consonants with "h" and unaspirated ones without it. In particular, "ph"
represents a hard aspirated 'p' and ''not'' a soft 'f', and [[Phuket]] is thus
pronounced "Poo-ket". Likewise, "th" is a hard aspirated 't' and hence
[[Thailand]] is pronounced "Tie-land".
; b บ : like 'b' in "bed"
; ch ฉ ช ฌ : like 'ch' in "chop"
; d ฎ ด : like 'd' in "dog"
; f ฝ ฟ : like 'ph' in "phone"
; g : not used in Wikitravel, but in other romanizations may represent
unaspirated 'k'
; h ห ฮ : like 'h' in "help"
; j จ : like 'dg' in "edge"
; k ก : like 'k' in "skate" (unaspirated)
; kh ข ฃ ค ฅ ฆ : like 'c' in "cat" (aspirated)
; l ล ฦ ฬ : like 'l' in "love"
; m ม : like 'm' in "mother"
; n ณ น : like 'n' in "nice"
; ng ง : like 'ng' in "sing", can also be used at the beginning of words
; p ป : like 'p' in "spit" (unaspirated)
; ph ผ พ ภ : like 'p' in "pig" (aspirated)
; r ร ฤ : very light 'r', often pronounced as 'l' or omitted entirely
; s ซ ศ ษ ส : like 'ss' in "hiss",
; t ฏ ต : like 't' in "stab"
; th ฐ ฑ ฒ ถ ท ธ : like 't' in "top"
; v : not used in Wikitravel, but in other romanizations may represent 'w'
; w ว : like 'w' in "weight"
; y ญ ย : like 'y' in "yes"
==Phrase list==
Note that that the polite suffix ครับ ''khrap'' (for men) and ค่ะ ''khaa'' (for
women) can and should be attached to all phrases when talking with strangers.
The suffix depends solely on the speaker's gender. Also note that the pronoun
for "I" is ผม ''phom'' for men and ดิฉัน ''di-chan'' for women.
===Basics===
{{infobox|Mai pen rai|Many a visitor has suggested, perhaps slightly tongue in
cheek, that ไม่เป็นไร ''mai pen rai'' should be the national motto of
[[Thailand]]. Literally "is no problem", this is most commonly used where an
English speaker would say "OK", "no problem" or "never mind". But watch out, as
this can also be used in the negative sense: a ''mai pen rai'' in response to a
complaint about missing your bus or being overcharged now means "it's not ''my''
problem"!}}
; Hello. : สวัสดี (''Sa-wat-dii.'')
; Hello. : สวัสดีครับ (''Sa-wat-dii khrap.'') (speaker is man)
; Hello. : สวัสดีค่ะ (''Sa-wat-dii kha.'') (speaker is woman)
; How are you? : (''Pen yang-ngai sabai-dii reu?'')
; How are you? : สบายดีหรือ (''sabai-dii reu?'')
; Fine : สบายดี (''Sabai-dii.'')
; Fine, and you? : สบายดี แล้วคุณหล่ะครับ (''Sabai-dii Láe' koon' lá, kráp
(males)'')
; What is your name? : คุณชื่ออะไร (''Khun cheu arai?'')
; My name is ______ . : ผม/ดิฉันชื่อ (''Phom/di-chan cheu _____ .'')
; Nice to meet you. : ยินดีที่ใด้รู้จก (''Yin-dii thii dai ruu-jak.'')
; Please. : กรุณา (''Karunaa'')
; Thank you. : ขอบคุณ (''Khop khun'')
; You're welcome. : ไม่เป็นไร (''Mai pen rai.'')
; Yes. : ใช่ (''chai'')
; No. : ไม่ใช่ (''mai chai'')
; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : Excuse me. (''ehkz-KYOOZ mee'')
; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'') : ขอโทษ (''Kaw thoht.'')
; I'm sorry. : ขอโทษ (''Kaw thoht'')
; Goodbye : ลาก่อน (''Laa kawn'')
; Goodbye. : สวัสดีครับ (''Sa-wat-dii khrap.'') (speaker is man)
; Goodbye. : สวัสดีค่ะ (''Sa-wat-dii kha.'') (speaker is woman)
; How ; อย่างไร (''yàng'rai'')
; Where? : ที่ไหน (''têe näi''')
; What? : อะไร (''à'rai''')
; When? : เมื่อไหร่ (''mêua-rai''')
; Who? : ใคร (''krai'')
; Why? : ทำไม (''tam'mai''')
; How much, how many? : เท่าไหร่, กี่ (''tâo'rai''') or (''kèe'')
; I want_____. : ผม/ดิฉัน อยาก _____(''pŏm/dì-chăn yàak'')
; I need_____. : ผม/ดิฉัน ต้องการ _____(''pŏm/dì-chăn dtông gaan'')
; Make a question : add ไหม to end of sentence (''măi'')
; I can't speak Thai [well]. : พูดภาษาไทยไมได้ (''Phuut phaasaa thai mai dai [mai
dee].'')
; Do you speak English? : พูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหม (''Phuut phaasaa ang-krit dai mai?'')
; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Is there someone here who speaks
English? (''IZ thayr SUM-wun heer hoo speekz ING-lush?'')
; Help! : Help! (''HEHLP!'')
; Help! : ช่วยด้วย (''Chûay dûay'')
; Look out! : Look out! (''look OWT!'')
; Danger : อันตราย (''an-dha-rai'')
; I don't understand. : ไมเข้าใจ (''Mai khao jai'')
; I understand. : เข้าใจ (''khao jai'')
; Where is the toilet? : ห้องน้ำ อยู่ ที่ ไหน (''Hong naam yuu tii nai?'')
===Tsunami Relief Work===
; NGO, private organization, private institution : องค์กรเอกชน (''ong-gòn ek
chon'')
; tsunami : ยักษ์สึนามิ (''yák-sĕunaami'')
; missing person : คน หาย (''kon hăi'')
; victim, casualty : ผู้ประสบภัย (''pôo bprà-sòp pai'')
; injured [V] : บาดเจ็บ (''bàat jèp'')
; seriously injured [V] : บาดเจ็บสาหัส (''bàat jèp săa-hàt'')
; injured persons : ผู้เสียหาย (''pôo sĭa hăi'')
; volunteer : อาสาสมัคร (''aa-săa sà-màk'')
; rehabilitate, restore : ฟื้นฟูสภาพ (''féun foo sà-pàap'')
; help, aid, assist : ช่วย (''chûay'')
; translator, interpreter : ผู้แปล (''pôo bplae'')
; Teacher : คุณครู (''koon kru'')
; Doctor : หมอ (''moh'')
; Nurse : พยาบาล (''pá-yaa-baan'')
; Engineer : นายช่าง (''nai châang'')
; Boss : นายจ้าง (''Nie jung'')
; Help Thai People : ช่วย คนไทย (''chûay kon Thai'')
; Lost : หลงทาง (''löng' tang '')
; Journalist : นักข่าว (''nug kow'')
; “Can I take your photo?” : ขอ ถ่ายรูป คุณ ได้ไหม ครับ (''Käw tài-rôop [koon']
dâi' mäi', kráp' (males)'')
; Photograph, take photograph : ถ่ายรูป (''tài-ròop'')
===Building===
; do, make, build, work, create : ทำ (''tam'')
; create, produce, build, make : สร้าง (''sâang'')
; technician, mechanic, engineer, craftsman : ช่าง (''châang'')
; Tool : เครื่อง (''krêuang'')
; hammer : ค้อน (''kón'')
; hammer, nail, pound, drive, knock [V] : ตอก (''dtòk'')
; cut, cut off, cut out, break off [V] : ตัด (''dtàt'')
; nail [N] : ตะปู (''dtà-bpoo'')
; measuring tools : เครื่องมือวัด (''krêuang meu wát '')
; ladder, stepladder, stair : กระได (''grà-dai'')
; door : ประตู (''bprà-dtoo'')
; window : หน้าต่าง (''nâa dtàang'')
; bolt, latch, lock [N] : กลอน (''glon'')
; building, house : โรง (''rohng'')
===Problems===
; Leave me alone. : Leave me alone. (''...'')
; Don't touch me! : Don't touch me! (''...'')
; I'll call the police. : I'll call the police. (''...'')
; Police! : Police! (''...'')
; Stop! Thief! : Stop! Thief! (''...'')
; I need your help. : I need your help. (''...'')
; It's an emergency. : It's an emergency. (''...'')
; I'm lost. : I'm lost. (''...'')
; I lost my bag. : I lost my bag. (''...'')
; I lost my wallet. : I lost my wallet. (''...'')
; I'm sick. : I'm sick. (''...'')
; I've been injured. : I've been injured. (''...'')
; I need a doctor. : I need a doctor. (''...'')
; Can I use your phone? : Can I use your phone? (''...'')
===Numbers===
Thai numbering is quite regular and speakers of [[Cantonese phrasebook|Cantonese]]
will find many quite familiar. Note that in casual speech it is common to drop
the "sip" from numbers over twenty, eg. 23 is ''yii-saam'' instead of ''yii-sip-saam''.
Thai has its own set of numerals, shown below, but these are used quite rarely —
the major exception being sites with double pricing for Thais and foreigners,
the Thai price being often disguised with Thai numbers. Being able to read the
Thai price just might get you in at the Thai rate.
; 0 : ๐ (''soon'')
; 1 : ๑ (''neung'')
; 2 : ๒ (''song'')
; 3 : ๓ (''saam'')
; 4 : ๔ (''sii'')
; 5 : ๕ (''haa'')
; 6 : ๖ (''hok'')
; 7 : ๗ (''jet'')
; 8 : ๘ (''paet'')
; 9 : ๙ (''kao'')
; 10 : ๑๐ (''sip'')
; 11 : ๑๑ (''sip-et'')
; 12 : ๑๒ (''sip-song'')
; 13 : ๑๓ (''sip-saam'')
; 14 : ๑๔ (''sip-sii'')
; 15 : ๑๕ (''sip-haa'')
; 16 : ๑๖ (''sip-hok'')
; 17 : ๑๗ (''sip-jet'')
; 18 : ๑๘ (''sip-paet'')
; 19 : ๑๙ (''sip-kao'')
; 20 : ๒๐ (''yii-sip'')
; 21 : ๒๑ (''yii-sip-et'')
; 22 : ๒๒ (''yii-sip-song'')
; 23 : ๒๓ (''yii-sip-saam'')
; 30 : ๓๐ (''saam-sip'')
; 40 : ๔๐ (''sii-sip'')
; 50 : ๕๐ (''haa-sip'')
; 60 : ๖๐ (''hok-sip'')
; 70 : ๗๐ (''jet-sip'')
; 80 : ๘๐ (''paet-sip'')
; 90 : ๙๐ (''kao-sip'')
; 100 : ๑๐๐ (''neung roi'')
; 200 : ๒๐๐ (''song roi'')
; 300 : ๓๐๐ (''saam roi'')
; 1000 : ๑๐๐๐ (''neung phan'')
; 2000 : ๒๐๐๐ (''song phan'')
; 1,000,000 : ๑๐๐๐๐๐๐ (''neung laan'')
; 1,000,000,000 : ๑๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (''phan laan'')
; 1,000,000,000,000 : ๑๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (''laan laan'')
; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : เบอร์ _____ (''ber'')
; half : ครึ่ง (''krêung'')
; less : น้อยกว่า (''noi gwa'')
; more : มากกว่า (''maug gwa'')
===Time===
; now : เดี๋ยวนี้ (''deo ne'')
; later : หลัง (''lăng'')
; before : ก่อน (''gòn'')
; morning : เช้า (''chao'')
; afternoon : บ่าย (''baai'')
; evening : ตอนเย็น (''ton yen'')
; night : ค่ำคืน (''kom kham'')
====Clock time====
There are no less than three systems for telling time in Thailand.
The easiest of the three is '''24-hour official clock''', encountered primarily
in bus and railway schedules. To create an official time, simply affix ''naalikaa''
to the number of hours, so that e.g. ''kao naalikaa'' is 9 AM (0900) and ''sip-saam
naalikaa'' is 1 PM (1300).
Things get a little more difficult in the '''12-hour common clock'''. As in the
West, the number of the hour runs from 1 to 12, but instead of just AM and PM,
the day is divided into four sections (ตอน ''ton''):
# เช้า ''chao'' (morning), from 6 AM to noon
# บ่าย ''baai'' (afternoon), from noon to 4 PM
# เย็น ''yen'' (evening), from 4 PM to 6 PM
# คืน ''kham'' (night), from 6 PM to 11 PM
A 12-hour time is thus composed from the hour, the word ''moong'' and the
correct ''ton''. As exceptions, the word ''baai'' comes before ''moong'' (not
after); 1 PM is just ''baai moong'' with no number; and there are special words
for noon and midnight. Some examples:
; 1:00 AM : ่ตีหนึ่ง (''Dhee nèung''')
; 2:00 AM : ตีสอง (''Dhee säwng'')
; 3:00 AM : ตีสาม (''Dhee säm'')
; 4:00 AM : ตีสี่ (''Dhee sèe'')
; 5:00 AM : ตีห้า (''Dhee hâ'')
; 6:00 AM : หกโมงเช้า (''Hòk' mong cháo'')
; 7:00 AM : เจ็ดโมงเช้า (''Jèt' Mong cháo'')
; 8:00 AM : สองโมงเช้า (''Säwng mong cháo'')
; 9:00 AM : เก้าโมงเช้า (''Säm mong cháo'')
;10:00 AM : สิบโมงเช้า (''Sèe mong cháo'')
;11:00 AM : ห้าโมงเช้า (''Hâ mong cháo'')
;12 noon : เที่ยงวัน (''Tîang wan'')
; 1:00 PM : บ่ายโมง (''Bài mong'')
; 2:00 PM : บ่ายสองโมง (''Bài säwng mong'')
; 3:00 PM : บ่ายสามโมง (''Bài säm mong'')
; 4:00 PM : สี่โมงเย็น (''Sèe mong yen''')
; 5:00 PM : ห้าโมงเย็น (''Hâ mong yen''')
; 6:00 PM : หกโมงเย็น (''Hòk' mong yen''')
; 7:00 PM : หนึ่งทุ่ม (''Nèung' tôom''')
; 8:00 PM : สองทุ่ม (''Säwng tôom''')
; 9:00 PM : สามทุ่ม (''Säm tôom'')'
;10:00 PM : สี่ทุ่ม (''Sèe tôom''')
;11:00 PM : ห้าทุ่ม (''Hâ tôom''')
;12:00 midnight เที่ยงคืน, สองยาม (''Tîang keun (or) säwng yam'')
====Duration====
; _____ minute(s) : _____ นาที (''na-tee'')
; _____ hour(s) : _____ ชั่วโมง (''cho mong'')
; _____ day(s) : _____ วัน (''wan''')
; _____ week(s) : _____ อาทิตย์ (''A-tít''')
; _____ month(s) : _____ เดือน (''deuan'')
; _____ year(s) : _____ ปี (''be'')
====Days====
; today : วันนี้ (''wan nii'')
; yesterday : เมื่อวานนี้ (''meua wan nii'')
; tomorrow : พรุ่งนี้ (''phrung nii'')
; this week : (''aathit nii'')
; last week : (''aathit kon'')
; next week : (''aathit naa'')
; Sunday : วันอาทิตย์ (''wan aathit'')
; Monday : วันจันทร์ (''wan chan'')
; Tuesday : วันอังคาร (''wan angkaan'')
; Wednesday : วันพุธ (''wan phut'')
; Thursday : วันพฤหัสบดี (''wan paruhat'')
; Friday : วันศุกร์ (''wan suk'')
; Saturday : วันเสาร์ (''wan sao'')
====Months====
All Thai months end in the suffix ''-kom'' (31 days) or ''-yon'' (30 days),
except February's idiosyncratic ''-phan''. In casual speech these are often
omitted, but the word month (''deuan'') may be prefixed instead.
; January : มกราคม (''Moggarakom'')
; February : กุมภาพันธ์ (''Koompaphan'')
; March : มีนาคม (''Meenakom'')
; April : เมษายน (''May-sa-yon'')
; May : พฤษภาคม (''Prues-saphakom'')
; June : มิถุนายน (''Mithunayon'')
; July : กรกฎาคม (''Garagadakom'')
; August : สิงหาคม (''Singhakom'')
; September : กันยายน (''Gan-ya-yon'')
; October : ตุลาคม (''Tulakom'')
; November : พฤศจิกายน (''Prues-sajigayon'')
; December : ธันวาคม (''Tanwakom'')
====Writing time and date====
Thais often use '''Buddhist Era''' (B.E.) years, which runs 543 years ahead of
the Western Calendar. 2547 B.E. is thus equivalent to 2004 A.D.
===Colors===
The word ''sii'' is often omitted in compounds like ''kaeng daeng'' (red curry).
; black : สีดำ (''sii daam'')
; white : สีขาว (''sii khao'')
; gray : สีเทา (''sii tow'')
; red : สีแดง (''sii daeng'')
; blue : สีฟ้า (''sii faa'')
; yellow : สีเหลือง (''sii loung'')
; green : สีเขียว (''sii jiaow'')
; orange : สีส้ม (''sii som'')
; purple : สีม่วง (''sii mowng'')
; brown : สีน้ำตาล (''sii nom twa'')
===Transportation===
====Bus and train====
; train : รถไฟ (''rót fai'')
; railway station : สถานีรถไฟ (''sà-tăa-nee rót fai'')
; skytrain, air train : รถไฟลอยฟ้า (''rót fai loy fáa'')
; subway : รถไฟใต้ดิน (''rót fai dtâi din'')
: train ticket : ตั๋วรถไฟ (''dtŭa rót fai'')
; bus stop : ป้ายรถเมล์ (''bpâi-rót-may'')
; bus : รถประจำทาง (''rót bprà-jam taang'')
; bus : รถเมล์ (''rót-may'')
; bus ticket : ตั๋วโดยสาร (''dtŭa doi-săan'')
; How much is a ticket to _____? : How much is a ticket to _____? (''...'')
; One ticket to _____, please. : One ticket to _____, please. (''...'')
; Where does this train/bus go? : Where does this train/bus go? (''...'')
; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Where is the train/bus to _____? (''...'')
; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Does this train/bus stop in _____?
(''...'')
; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : When does the train/bus for _____
leave? (''...'')
; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : When will this bus arrive in
_____? (''...'')
====Directions====
; How do I get to _____ ? : How do I get to _____ ? (''...'')
; How : อย่างไร (''yàng'rai'')
; Where? : ที่ไหน (''têe näi''')
; ...the train station? : สถานีรถไฟ (''sathanii rot fai'')
; ...the bus station? : สถานีรถโดยสาร (''sathanii rot khon song'')
; ...the airport? : สนามบิน (''sanaam bin'')
; ...downtown? : ...ตัวเมือง (''dtua meuang'')
; ...the youth hostel? : ...the youth hostel? (''...'')
; ...the _____ hotel? : ...โรงแรม _____ (''rong-ræm'')
; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ... คนอเมริกัน/ชาวแคนาดา/ชาวออสเตรเลีย/ชาวอังกฤษ
สถานกงสุล? (''sà-tăan gong-sŏon'')
; embassy : สถานทูต (''sà-tăan tôot'')
; Where are there a lot of... : Where are there a lot of... (''...'')
; ...hotels? : ...โรงแรม (''rong-ræm'')
; ...restaurants? : ...ร้านอาหาร (''rán a-hän'')
; ...bars? : ...บาร์ (''bah'')
; ...sites to see? : ...sites to see? (''...'')
; Can you show me on the map? : Can you show me on the map? (''...'')
; map : แผนที่ (''păen-têe'')
; street : ถนน (''thanon'')
; alley : ซอย (''soi'')
; Turn left. : เลี้ยวซ้าย (''Liaw saai.'')
; Turn right. : เลี้ยวขวา (''Liaw kwaa.'')
; left : ซ้าย (''saai'')
; right : ขวา (''kwaa'')
; straight ahead : ตรงไป (''trong pai'')
; to/towards the _____ : ยัง _____ (''yang'')
; after/past the _____ : หลังจากที่ _____ (''lăng jàak têe'')
; before the _____ : ก่อนที่ _____ (''gòn têe'')
; Watch for the _____. : Watch for the _____. (''...'')
; intersection : สี่แยก (''sèe yâek'')
; north : ทิศเหนือ (''tít nĕua'')
; south : ทิศใต้ (''tít dtâi'')
; east : ทิศตะวันออก (''tít dtà-wan ok '')
; west : ทิศตะวันตก (''tít dtà-wan dtòk'')
; northeast : ทิด-ตะ-วัน-ออค-เฉียง-เหนือ (''tít dtà-wan ok chĭang nĕua'')
; northwest : ทิด-ตะ-วัน-ตค-เฉียง-เหนือ (''tít dtà-wan dtòk chĭang nĕua'')
; southwest : ทิด-ตะ-วัน-ตค-เฉียง-ตั้ย (''tít dtà-wan dtòk chĭang dtâi '')
; Southeast : ทิด-อาค-เน (''tít aak-nay'')
; uphill : การขึ้นเนิน (''...'')
; downhill : มือ-ตค (''meu dtòk'')
====Taxi====
; Taxi! : แท็กซี่! (''tâek-sêe'')
; Take me to _____, please. : ไป _____ นะครับ/ค่ะ(''bpai _____ na khrap'')
; How much does it cost to get to _____? : ไป _____ เท่าไหร่ (''bpai _____
tâo-rài'')
; Take me there, please. : Take me there, please. (''...'')
; Stop here. : จอด ที่นี่ (''jòt têe nêe'')
===Lodging===
; Do you have any rooms available? : Do you have any rooms available? (''...'')
; How much is a room for one person/two people? : How much is a room for one
person/two people? (''...'')
; Does the room come with... : Does the room come with... (''...'')
; ...bedsheets? : ...bedsheets? (''...'')
; ...a bathroom? : ...ห้องน้ำ (''hông nám'')
; ...a telephone? : ...โทรศัพท์ (''toh-rá-sàp'')
; ...a TV? : ...โทรทัศน์ (''toh-rá-tát'')
; May I see the room first? : May I see the room first? (''...'')
; Do you have anything quieter? : Do you have anything quieter? (''...'')
; ...bigger? : ...ใหญ่ กว่า (''yài gwàa'')
; ...cleaner? : ...สะอาด กว่า (''sà-aat gwàa'')
; ...cheaper? : ...ถูก กว่า (''tòok gwàa'')
; OK, I'll take it. : OK, I'll take it. (''...'')
; I will stay for _____ night(s). : I will stay for _____ night(s). (''...'')
; Can you suggest another hotel? : Can you suggest another hotel? (''...'')
; Do you have a safe? : คุณ มี ตู้เซฟ ไหม (''koon mee dtôo-sêf măi'')
; ...lockers? : ...lockers? (''...'')
; Is breakfast/supper included? : Is breakfast/supper included? (''...'')
; What time is breakfast/supper? : What time is breakfast/supper? (''...'')
; Please clean my room. : Please clean my room. (''...'')
; Can you wake me at _____? : Can you wake me at _____? (''...'')
; I want to check out. : I want to check out. (''...'')
===Money===
; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Do you accept
American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (''...'')
; Do you accept British pounds? : Do you accept British pounds? (''...'')
; Do you accept credit cards? : Do you accept credit cards? (''...'')
; Can you change money for me? : Can you change money for me? (''...'')
; Where can I get money changed? : Where can I get money changed? (''...'')
; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Can you change a traveler's check
for me? (''...'')
; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Where can I get a traveler's
check changed? (''...'')
; What is the exchange rate? : What is the exchange rate? (''...'')
; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Where is an automatic teller
machine (ATM)? (''...'')
===Eating===
; A table for one person/two people, please. : A table for one person/two
people, please. (''...'')
; Can I look at the menu, please? : Can I look at the menu, please? (''...'')
; Can I look in the kitchen? : Can I look in the kitchen? (''...'')
; Is there a house specialty? : Is there a house specialty? (''...'')
; Is there a local specialty? : Is there a local specialty? (''...'')
; I'm a vegetarian. : ผม/ดิฉัน กินเจ (''pŏm/dì-chăn gin jày'')
; I don't eat pork. : I don't eat pork. (''...'')
; I don't eat beef. : I don't eat beef. (''...'')
; I only eat kosher food. : I only eat kosher food. (''...'')
; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Can you make it "lite",
please? (''...'')
; fixed-price meal : fixed-price meal (''...'')
; a la carte : a la carte (''...'')
; breakfast : อาหารเช้า (''aa-hăan cháo'')
; lunch : อาหารกลางวัน (''aa-hăan glaang wan'')
; tea (''meal'') : tea (''...'')
; supper : ข้าวเย็น (''kâo yen'')
; I want _____. : ผม/ดิฉัน อยาก _____. (''pŏm/dì-chăn yàak'')
; I want a dish containing _____. : I want a dish containing _____. (''...'')
; chicken : ไก่ (''kai'')
; beef : เนื้อ (''neua'')
; fish : ปลา (''plaa'')
; pork : หมู (''mŏo'')
; ham : แฮม (''haem'')
; sausage : ไส้กรอก (''sâi gròk'')
; cheese : cheese (''...'')
; eggs : ไข่ (''kài'')
; salad : สลัด (''sà-làt'')
; fresh : สด (''sòt'')
; vegetables : ผัก (''pàk'')
; fruit : ผลไม้ (''pŏn-lá-mái'')
; bread : ขนมปัง (''kà-nŏm bpang'')
; toast : toast (''...'')
; rice noodles : ก๋วยเตี๋ยว (''kuay tiow'')
; wheat noodles : บะหมี่ (''ba mii'')
; rice : ข้าว (''khao'')
; beans : beans (''...'')
; May I have a glass of _____? : May I have a glass of _____? (''...'')
; May I have a cup of _____? : May I have a cup of _____? (''...'')
; May I have a bottle of _____? : May I have a bottle of _____? (''...'')
; coffee : กาแฟ (''kaafae'')
; hot tea : ชาร้อน (''chaa rawn'')
; iced tea with milk : ชาเย็น (''chaa yen'')
; fruit juice : น้ำผลไม้ (''nám pŏn-lá-mái'')
; water : น้ำเปล่า (''naam plao'')
; beer : เบีย (''bia'')
; red/white wine : red/white wine (''...'')
; May I have some _____? : May I have some _____? (''...'')
; salt : เกลือ (''gleua'')
; black pepper : black pepper (''...'')
; fish sauce : น้ำปลา (''naam plaa'')
; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Excuse me, waiter?
(''...'')
; I'm finished. : I'm finished. (''...'')
; delicious. : อร่อย (''a-ròy'')
; It was delicious. : It was delicious. (''...'')
; Please clear the plates. : Please clear the plates. (''...'')
; The check, please. : The check, please. (''...'')
; bill : ใบเสร็จ (''bai sèt'')
===Bars===
; Do you serve alcohol? : Do you serve alcohol? (''...'')
; Is there table service? : Is there table service? (''...'')
; A beer/two beers, please. : A beer/two beers, please. (''...'')
; A glass of red/white wine, please. : A glass of red/white wine, please.
(''...'')
; A pint, please. : A pint, please. (''...'')
; A bottle, please. : A bottle, please. (''...'')
; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ and _____,
please. (''...'')
; whiskey : เหล้า (''lâo'')
; vodka : vodka (''...'')
; rum : rum (''...'')
; water : น้ำเปล่า (''nám dèum'')
; ice water : น้ำแข็ง (''nám kăeng'')
; carbonated water, soda water, soda : อัดลม (''at lom'')
; tonic water : tonic water (''...'')
; orange juice : orange juice (''...'')
; Coke (''soda'') : Coke (''...'')
; Do you have any bar snacks? : Do you have any bar snacks? (''...'')
; One more, please. : One more, please. (''...'')
; Another round, please. : Another round, please. (''...'')
; When is closing time? : When is closing time? (''...'')
===Shopping===
; fan(air) : พัดลม (''pot lum'')
; bedroom : ห้องนอน (''hong non'') (lit. "room sleep")
; toilet : ห้องน้ำ (''hong nam'') (lit. "room water")
; girl : ผู้หญิง (''pu-ying'')
; boy : ผู้ชาย (''pu-chai'')
; How much? : เท่าไหร่ (''tao rai'')
; Do you have this in my size? : Do you have this in my size? (''...'')
; How much is this? : How much is this? (''Nii thao rai?'')
; That's too expensive. : That's too expensive. (''...'')
; Would you take _____? : Would you take _____? (''...'')
; expensive : แพง (''paeng'')
; cheap : ถูก (''tòok'')
; I can't afford it. : I can't afford it. (''...'')
; I don't want it. : I don't want it. (''...'')
; You're cheating me. : You're cheating me. (''...'')
; I'm not interested. : I'm not interested. (..)
; OK, I'll take it. : OK, I'll take it. (''...'')
; Can I have a bag? : Can I have a bag? (''...'')
; Do you ship (overseas)? : Do you ship (overseas)? (''...'')
; Need... : ต้องการ... (''...'')
; ...toothpaste. : ...ยาสีฟัน (''yaa sĕe fan'')
; ...a toothbrush. : ...แปรงสีฟัน (''bpraeng sĕe fan'')
; ...tampons. : ...ผ้าอนามัยแบบสอด (''pâa a-năa-mai bàep sòt'')
; ...soap. : ...สบู่ (''sà-bòo'')
; ...shampoo. : ...แชมพู (''chaem-poo'')
; ...medicine. : ...ยา (''yaa'')
; ...aspirin : ...แอสไพริน (''aet-pai-rin'')
; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') : ...ยาแก้ปวด (''yaa gâe
bpùat'')
; ...cold medicine. : ...cold medicine. (''...'')
; ...stomach medicine. : ...stomach medicine. (''...'')
; ...a razor. : ...มีดโกน (''mêet gohn'')
; ...an umbrella. : ...รม (''rom'')
; ...sunblock lotion. : ...sunblock lotion. (''...'')
; ...a postcard. : ...ไปรษณียบัตร (''bprai-sà-neey-bàt'')
; ...postage stamps. : ...ไปรษณียากร (''bprai-sà-nee-yaa-gon'')
; ...batteries. : ...ถ่านไฟฉาย (''tàan fai chăi'')
; ...writing paper. : ...กระดาษเขียนจดหมาย (''grà-dàat kĭan jòt măi'')
; ...a pen. : ...ปากกา (''bpàak gaa'')
; ...book : ...หนังสือ(''năng-sĕu'')
; ...magazine : ...นิตยสาร(''nít-yá-săan'')
; ...newspaper : หนังสือพิมพ์ (''năng-sĕu pim'')
; ...English-language books. : ...English-language books. (''...'')
; ...English-language magazines. : ...English-language magazines. (''...'')
; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...an English-language newspaper.
(''...'')
; ...an English-English dictionary. : ...an English-English dictionary.
(''...'')
===Driving===
; I want to rent a car. : I want to rent a car. (''...'')
; rent : เช่า (''châo'')
; Can I get insurance? : Can I get insurance? (''...'')
; stop (''on a street sign'') : stop (''...'')
; one way : one way (''...'')
; yield : yield (''...'')
; no parking : no parking (''...'')
; speed limit : speed limit (''...'')
; gas (''petrol'') station : ปั้มน้ำมัน (''bpâm-nám-man'')
; petrol : น้ำมันรถ (''nám man rót'')
; diesel : ดีเซล (''dee-sen'')
===Authority===
; I haven't done anything wrong. : I haven't done anything wrong. (''...'')
; It was a misunderstanding. : It was a misunderstanding. (''...'')
; Where are you taking me? : Where are you taking me? (''...'')
; Am I under arrest? : Am I under arrest? (''...'')
; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : I am an
American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (''...'')
; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
: I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
(''...'')
; I want to talk to a lawyer. : I want to talk to a lawyer. (''...'')
; Can I just pay a fine now? : Can I just pay a fine now? (''...'')
==Learning more==
* [http://www.thai2english.com/ Thai-English/English-Thai with transliteration]
* [http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/ Lextron Thai-English Online Dictionary]
[[WikiPedia:Thai language]]
{{stub}}