This is part 2 of a 5 part series on question words in Thai language. This episode we are talking about ไหม/măi which is a particle used to turn a statement into a question, similar to a question mark.
Thai question words part 2
This is the second lesson of the new series on “ Thai question words” , in Thai language the question words are at the end of question. Unlike in English where the question words are at the beginner
English : where are you from?
Thai : you (are) from where?
English : what is your name?
Thai: your name( is) what?
So, to create a question in Thai it’s very easy ,simply add a question word at the end of the statement
You like to eat + what?
She comes to Thailand+ when?
Let’s start with the second question words of this series !!!
ไหม/măi
ไหม/măi is an information seeking question used to turn a statement into a question, similar to a question mark.
Statement : คุณมีเพื่อน
kun mee pêuan
You have a friend.
Question : คุณมีเพื่อนไหม
kun mee pêuan măi
Do you have a friend?
There are 2 different ways to say ไหม/măi, it’s depend on the degree of formality.
1.ไหม/măi is used in written Thai and in a very formal situation.
2.มั้ย/máai is used in spoken Thai and casual situation but commonly used. I recommend you to use in spoken Thai.
How to answer ไหม/măi or มั้ย/máai question
YES answer : you have 2 choices
1. Use the verb of the question as an answer.
2. Use polite particle
-ครับ/kráp( for male speakers)
-ค่ะ/kâ (for female speakers)
NO answer : ไม่/ mâi +verb of the question
Sentence example
คุณมีเพื่อนไหม
kun mee pêuan măi?
Do you have a friend?
-มี /mee/ yes, (I have)
OR
-ครับ/kráp( for male speakers)
-ค่ะ/kâ (for female speakers)
-ไม่มี/ mâi mee/ no
คุณชอบอาหารไทยมั้ย
kun chôp aa-hăan tai máai?
Do you like Thai food?
ชอบครับ/ chôp kráp /yes, (I) like
-
ไปกินข้าวมั้ย
bpai gin kâao máai ?
(Do you) want to go eat?
ไปครับ/ bpai kráp/yes (go)
-
กินมั้ย
gin máai?
(do you want to) eat ?
ไม่กิน /mâi gin/ no
กิน/ gin/yes.
-
อร่อยมั้ย
a-ròi máai
(Is it) delicious ?
อร่อย/ a-ròi /yes
เข้าใจมั้ย
kâo jai máai
Do (you) understand?
ไม่เข้าใจ/ mâi kâo jai
(I) don’t understand.
Now, it’s your turn to answer the question
ชอบกินเผ็ดมั้ย?
chôb gin pèd mái?
Please leave the answer in a comment area below
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ชอบกินเผ็ดมากจริงๆครับ
Bernard le Du recently posted.. Quelques utilisations de จะ, la particule de l’inaccompli
This sentence is correct and it’s best when you are trying to convince someone that you like very very spicy food.
However, if you want to address that you like it very very spicy, ชอบกินเผ็ดมากๆครับ or ชอบกินเผ็ดสุดๆครับ (slang) would be enough.
ชอบกินเผ็ดมาก How would you say “I did not like it until I tried Thai food”?
ผมไม่ชอบ(กินเผ็ด)จนผมได้ลองอาหารไทย
Thank you very much for your answer !!
OK, I will try : ผมไม่ได้ชอบกินเผ็ด จนลองชิมอาหารไทยแล้ว
What do you think of it ครูเมีย ?
Bernard le Du recently posted.. Quelques utilisations de จะ, la particule de l’inaccompli
Thanks Bernard, your answer is nearly 99% correct, I would change it to ผมไม่ได้ชอบกินเผ็ด จนได้ลองชิมอาหารไทย(แล้ว)
ได้/dâi is included to emphasize that an action or state that began in the past is still going on.
แล้ว/laéw could be dropped.
Thank you so much for your answer. Putting the words in the translator, could get the meaning , sounds good. Let´s see what the main authority says. Thanks again, greetings from Uruguay!
Mai chop gin aahan pet. Phom chop pet nit noy.
Thanks greatly for the videos!!!!!!!! It’s been a fun evening listening to those that introduced me to your site. All excellent – Phom rian phasaa-thai tuk tuk wan. Gaam lang rian thai kheang.
geang maak ka !!!!
chan dii jai tii kun chob VDO lae rian pa-ra Thai jaak VDO
kob kun ka
Khawp khun khrap Mia.
What makes learning Thai especially difficult is working with a language where words can be spelled phonetically in many ways. E.g. Mia phuut – kun chop!
We beginning Thai students see the work YOU written phonetically as Khun, Khoon, and Koon depending on the learning aid. LIKE comes up as Chop, Chawp, Chohb, there are for sure others too and to think these are just “baby” words.
It is the reason why I’m working on trying to learn to read and write Thai. At least in writting and reading there is no confusion if the word is spelled correctly in Thai. However, there is no shortage of difficulty in the written language. Hence, no fooling myself that this is a long process. Fortunately I travel to Thailand each year and have a number of very good Thai friends.
Hi Vince,
You are absolutely right! I strongly recommend Thai language learners to learn to read Thai from the get go.
This will avoid all the confusion with phonetic and transliterate Thai.
You are on the right track.
Mia
why no mp3 for us to download for this episode?
ไม่ชอบ
ชอบ อาหาร เผ็ด มาก ครับ. แฃบ ลาย!