|
 Thai people really appreciate it when you try
to speak their language, even a little bit. You really don't need to know alot to
communicate, and some basic phrases can get you through almost any situtation.
Here are some phrases and words that we would recommend you memorize. Don't
worry if you don't prounouce them exactly correct, as a Thai person knows you do not speak
Thai and they will give you great latitude.
And don't be surprised if the reaction is one of friendly laughter and gratitude
for giving it a go. |
| Some pronunciation notes
for the table below: |
| "ai" is
prounouced "eye", "oo" is prounounced "ou" |
| The word
"krup" for males, and "kha" for females can be added to the end of
most phrases which is a show of respect for the other person. |
 |
| General
Phrases |
Male |
Female |
| Hello
(greeting and parting) |
sa-wa-dee
krup |
sa-wa-dee
kha |
| How
are you feeling? |
sa-bai
dee rue krup |
sa-bai
dee rue kha |
| I
feel fine (answer) |
sa-bai
dee krup |
sa-bai
dee kha |
| I
do not feel well (answer) |
sa-bai
dee my krup |
sa-bai
dee my kha |
| I
cannot speak Thai |
poot
thai my dai |
poot
thai my dai |
| Thank
you |
kop
koon krup |
kop
koon kha |
| Never
mind (friendly) |
mai
pen rai |
mai
pen rai |
| I
do not understand |
my
kow chai krup |
my
kow chai kha |
| How
much does this cost |
nee
towl-rai krup |
nee
towl-rai krup |
| Very
expensive |
paeng
maag |
paeng
maag |
| Sorry
or Excuse me |
kor
thoad krup |
kor
thoad kha |
| Where
is the toilet |
hong
nahm yoo tee nai |
hong
nahm yoo tee nai |
| Beautiful,
pretty |
su-way |
su-way |
| Yes |
chai
(krup) |
chai
(kha) |
| No |
mai
(krup) |
mai
(kha) |
|
| Directions |
Male |
Female |
| Stop
here (useful in taxi) |
yuut
tee nee krup |
yuut
tee nee kha |
| Slow
down |
cha-cha |
cha-cha |
| Left
turn |
leeo
sai |
leeo
sai |
| Right
turn |
leeo
khwa |
leeo
khwa |
| Go
straight |
trong
pai |
trong
pai |
|
| Drink |
Male |
Female |
| Water |
nahm |
nahm |
| Ice |
nam
khang |
nam
khang |
| Tea
(hot) |
nahm
cha long |
nahm
cha long |
| Tea
(with ice) |
nahm
cha khang |
nahm
cha khang |
| Coffee |
ga-fae |
ga-fae |
|
| Food |
Male |
Female |
| Chicken |
gai |
gai |
| Beef |
nuea |
nuea |
| Pork |
moo |
moo |
| Fish |
plah |
plaa |
| Prawn |
goong |
goong |
| Spicy
prawn soup |
tom
yahm goong |
tom
yahm goong |
| Spicy |
pet |
pet |
| Not
spicy |
mai
pet |
mai
pet |
| Rice
(white) |
khao |
khao |
| Rice
(fried) |
khao
pahd |
khao
pahd |
| Delicious |
ah-roy |
ah-roy |
| Very
delicious |
ah-roy
mahk |
ah-roy
mahk |
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