Episode 37 : Thai question words part 4

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This is part 4 of a 5 part series on question words in Thai language. This episode we are talking about ที่ไหน/têe năi means where

 

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Don’t miss the previous lessons


Thai question words part 4

This is the forth 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 Thailandwhen?

 Let’s start with the second question words of this series !!!


 ที่ไหน/têe năi/where

ที่ไหน/têe năi/ can be shortened to ไหน/năi

“Where” question are formed using the pattern :

VERB(PHASE)+ ที่ไหน/têe năi

“Where” answer are formed using the pattern :

VERB(PHASE)+ ที่/têe + LOCATION

speak Thaiคุณอยู่ที่ไหน

kun yòo têe năi

Where are you ?

อยู่บ้าน

yòo bâan

(I)  am (at) home.

In spoken Thai  ที่/têe  is often dropped.

 

speak Thaiห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน

hông náam yòo têe năi

Where is the toilet?

 ทางโน้น

taang nóhn

Over there.

 

speak Thaiคุณมาจากที่ไหน

kun maa-jàak têe năi

Where are you from?

ผมมาจากอเมริกา

pŏm maa jàak a-may-rí-gaa

I come from America.

ที่/têe  is often dropped when the processing verb is  มาจาก/maa-jàak 

For shorten up your answer, simple use country’s name.

ออสเตเรีย

Australia.

 

speak ThaiATMอยู่ที่ไหน

ATM yòo têe năi

Where is the ATM?

ทางนี้

taang née

This way.

ไม่รู้

mâi róo

(I) don’t know.

 

speak Thaiไปไหน

bpai năi?

Where (are you) going?

ที่/têe  is often dropped when the processing verb is ไป/pbai.

 ไปเที่ยว

bpai tîeow

[to] go out ; travel ; tour

 ไปมั้ย

bpai máai?

(Do you want) to go?

 ไป

bpai

Yes(go)


Now, it’s your turn to answer the question

คุณอยู่ที่ไหน

kun yòo têe năi

Please leave the answer in a comment area below


 

15 thoughts on “Episode 37 : Thai question words part 4

  1. Hi, I really like your videos! I have one question though. I noticed there are two different spellings and pronounciations of the word ‘nee’. When you said ‘this way’ you used a different tone and spelling from the one from the previous lesson. I was just wondering when to use the one or the other, or does it even matter?

    Thank you so much for the videos, they are really helpful!
    much love from Sweden

    • Hi Sara,
      I couldn’t find what you mentioned at the moment. But, I’m sure it’s a typo error. nêe and nîi are means the same and this is one of many downside of transliteration.

      Mia
      p.s. I’m glad you like the VDOs

  2. Hi Mia,

    I’m from Ukraine.

    Btw, it’s really interesting question.

    There’re two ‘this’: นี่ และ นี้.
    How do Thai people choose, which one to use?

    • There are two ‘this’ in Thai language : นี่/nîi และ นี้/níi

      How do Thai people choose, which one to use? Good question!!!

      นี่/nîi and นี้/níi , they both mean “this”, what is the difference ?

      1. นี่ /nîi falling tone is used as pronouns refers to an object or action. In a spoken Thai นี่ nîi can be pronounced เนี่ย /nîa

      Example
      นี่อะไร/ nîi à-rai/ what is this?
      นี่หนังสือ/ nîi nǎng-sěu/ this is a book
      เนี่ยแฟนเรา/ nîa fan rao/ this is my boyfriend/girlfriend

      2. นี้ níi high tone is used as modifiers eg. this person, this house.
      นี้ níi is used after classifier or after the noun alone. In a spoken Thai นี้/níi can be pronounced เนี้ย /nîa

      Example
      After classifier- คนนี้แฟนเรา/ kon níi fan rao/ this person is my boyfriend/girlfriend.
      After noun-ร้านเนี้ยอาหารอร่อย/ ráan nía aa hăan a-ròi/ this restaurant has delicious

  3. SAWADEE KRAP KROO MIA.
    I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND THE YOO FUNCTION BEFORE THE TEE NAI. COULD YOU EXPLAIN OR DOES IT APPEAR IN A LESSON I MISSED

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