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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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 Thailand+ when?
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
คุณอยู่ที่ไหน
kun yòo têe năi
Where are you ?
อยู่บ้าน
yòo bâan
(I) am (at) home.
In spoken Thai ที่/têe is often dropped.
ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน
hông náam yòo têe năi
Where is the toilet?
ทางโน้น
taang nóhn
Over there.
คุณมาจากที่ไหน
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.
ATMอยู่ที่ไหน
ATM yòo têe năi
Where is the ATM?
ทางนี้
taang née
This way.
ไม่รู้
mâi róo
(I) don’t know.
ไปไหน
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
iTune Podcast
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
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
Thank you a lot for deep explanation.
Seems like ‘นี้’ is similar to definite article ‘the’ in English language.
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where are you?
So, Where are you Han Tun?
I live in Krabi province.
yoo ngaan
sa wat dii ka KOKO,
I think what you try to say is ” I’m at work” right?
You should say ” yòo têe taan ngaan”
Sa wat dee krap.
Answer of the question: yoo baan
Chan yoo tee Krung Thep ka. Chan maa jaak China.
อยู่บ้าน
tam arai
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