She said ” today is Chinese new year! me and my dad would like to bring you a gift”.

That’s right !!! teacher Nok has Chinese heritage.

This is my first time receiving a gift on Chinese new year.

“great!! come on over” I replied.

I got an idea of filming this special occasion.

It’s an interview of teacher Nok and her father ” Thai/Chinese family”

Find out below why we are holding banana.

Interview script and translation

สวัสดีค่ะ
Hello

ครูนกนะคะ รู้จักกันแล้ว

Teacher Nok, we all know her.

นี่คือคุณพ่อของครูนก
This is teacher Nok’s father.

วันนี้เป็นวันพิเศษอะไรค่ะครูนก

Today is a special day, what is it teacher Nok?

วันนี้เป็นวันตรุษจีนนะคะ
Today is ตรุษจีน/dtrùt jeen

ก็คือวันปีใหม่ของคนจีน
It’s the new year of Chinese people.

คนเราที่อยู่ที่ประเทศไทย ที่มีเชื้อสายจีน

All Thai people who have Chinese heritage

ก็จะเป็นวันไหว้ ไหว้บรรพบุรุษคือวันนี้
Today is วันไหว้/wan wâi. It’s the day we pay respect to our ancestors.

เมื่อวานเป็นวันจ่าย ก็คือไปซื้อของ
Yesterday is วันจ่าย/ wan jài. It’s the day for buying.

ส่วนวันนี้ก็จะมาเป็นวันไหว้ ไหว้เทพเจ้านะคะ แล้วก็ไหว้บรรพบุรุษ
Today is the day to pay respect to Chinese gods and ancestors.

ส่วนวันพรุ่งนี้ของเราจะเป็นวันเที่ยว
Tomorrow is วันเที่ยว/wan tîew/ going out day.

ชอบวันเที่ยวมากเลยค่ะ เป็นคอนเซ็บที่ดูสนุกเนอะ
I like the concept of “going out day” it sounds like fun.

คือต้องเที่ยวอย่างเดียวเลยใช่มั้ยคะ
Is it mean you will only going out?

ใช่ค่ะ เที่ยวอย่างเดียวค่ะ ไม่ทำงานแล้วก็ไม่ทำความสะอาดบ้าน
That right! just go out and have fun. No work, no cleaning the house.

วันนี้ก็เป็นเกียรติที่คุณพ่อมาเยี่ยมถึงบ้านนะคะ
Today, I’m very honored that teacher Nok’s father is visiting me at my house.

ก็เป็นครั้งแรกที่ได้เจอ
This is the first time I meet him.

แล้วก็เป็นครั้งแรกที่ได้รับของเยอะขนาดนี้
And it’s also the firs time to receive a lot of gifts.

จากคนไทยเชื้อสายจีนที่อยู่ในเมืองไทยนะคะ
From Thai/Chinese people who live in Thailand.

แต่ละอย่างมีความหมายใช่มั้ยคะครูนก
Each gift here has meaning, is that right teacher Nok?

ครูนกลองเล่าความหมายให้ฟังหน่อยได้มั้ยคะ
Teacher Nok, could you please explain the meaning ?

เป็นตัวอย่างบางอันนะคะ อันนี้เป็นขนมจันอับ
Just for example, this is จันอับ/jan àp.

ขนมจันอับ/ jan ap desert

ความหมายก็จะเป็นแท่งเงิน
The meaning of it is silver bars

อ๋อก็คือเป็นแท่งๆๆแบบนี้
Oh I see, It has a bar shape.

ส่วนองุ่นก็จะความหมายคือ เพิ่มพูน
Grape means “accumulation”.

องุ่น/ grapes

เพราะว่าองุ่นเค้าเป็นพวงหรือเปล่าค่ะ แล้วก็มีหลายๆลูก
Is it because grape have a lot of small seeds so it’s symbolic of accumulation?

ใช่
That’s right.

กล้วย/banana

กล้วย กวักโชคลาภ
Banana is “calling for good fortune”

อ๋อ กล้วยเค้าจะงอๆอย่างงี้งัยคะ ก็จะกวักโชคลาภ
I see, because banana has a shape as when calling for the fortune to come to you.

ความหมายที่ดี
What a good meaning!

ส้ม/orange

ส่วนส้มนี่เป็น มั่งมีศรีสุข
Orange is a symbolic of “wealth”

มั่งมีศรีสุข เพราะว่าส้มออกเป็นสีทองๆ
“Wealth”?! Because orange has a golden color.

ก็ คร่าวๆ
Just to name a few.
ทุกอย่างนี้มีความหมายที่ดีหมดเลย ใช่มั้ยคะครูนก
Everything hear has a good meaning, isn’t it teacher?

แล้วก็วันไหว้เราก็จะมี เป็น ไก่ หมูด้วย
On วันไหว้/wan wâi we will use duck, chicken and pork.

ไหว้บรรพบุรุษ/worship ancestor

ก็คือใช้ในการไหว้เจ้า
For worshiping the gods.

เดี๋ยวให้ครูนกลองพูดสวัสดีปีใหม่ สวัสดีวันตรุษจีนเป็นภาษาจีน ได้มั้ยคะ
Teacher Nok, could you please say “happy new year” in Chinese?

ซินเจียยู่อี่ ซินนี้ฮวดใช้ อังเปาตั่วตั่วไก้
sin jeer yuu ee sin nii haud chai ang pbao dtua dtua gai

หมายความว่างัยค่ะ ครูนก
what does it mean, teacher Nok?

สวัสดีใหม่ ขอให้เงินทองไหลมาเทมา
Happy New Year wish you have a flow of money.

ค่ะ ก็ขอขอบคุณครูนกและคุณพ่อมากๆเลยนะคะ
Thank you very much teacher Nok and her father

ที่วันนี้มาเอาขนมที่มีความหมายดีๆมาให้

For bring a lot of goodies with great meaning.

ก็ขอให้ทุกคนโชคดีวันปีใหม่นะคะ

We wish everyone a very happy (Chinese)new year.

ซินเจียยู่อี่ ซินนี้ฮวดใช้

sin jeer yuu ee sin nii haud chai

 สวัสดีปีใหม่ (จีน)

Second personal pronoun for polite situation

คุณ/kun

“คุณ/kun” means “YOU” is used to address the person you talk to by both men and women and can be used in a polite situation. And as a 2nd or the 3rd person pronouns, name or nickname also can be leaded by the word “คุณ/kun”

 Example sentences

คุณว่างมั้ยครับ?

 kun wâang mái krúb ?

Do you have free time?

ว่างค่ะ

wâang kà

Yes, I do.

คุณสมชายมีอะไรให้ช่วยมั้ยคะ?

kun sǒm-chai mee à-rai hâi châuy mái ká?

Mr. Somchai, how may I help you?

ผมอยากไปกินข้าวกับคุณ

pǒm yàak bpai gin kâao gùb kun.

I would like to go to dine with you.

Vocabulary

ว่าง /wâang / free, available

ช่วย/ châuy/  to help

คุณ+สมชาย/kun+Somchai/polite way to address a person name Somchai

กินข้าว – Gin khao – to have meal

Although, the word “กินข้าว/gin kâao” means “eat rice” but the meaning is to have meal not only to have rice.

Learn how to use มั้ย/mái as a question word in Thai

Second personal pronoun for same age

เธอ/ter

 “เธอ/ter” means “YOU”, it’s for informal conversation only.  It is usually used with people of the same age or by the older speaker.

Example sentences

เธอกำลังทำอะไร?

ter gam-lang taam à-rai?

What are you doing?

ฉันกำลังคิดถึงแฟน

chǎn gam-lang kíd thěung fan  

I’m thinking of my boyfriend.

Vocabulary

กำลัง /gam-lang/  in the duration of acting, doing something.

คิดถึง/ kíd thěung /thinking of

Learn how to use อะไร/ à-rai as a question word in Thai

Second personal pronoun for young children

หนู/nǒo

“หนู/nǒo” means “YOU”, it can be used as the 1st and also the 2nd person pronoun BUT  it is mostly used for/with young children when they talking to adult or women or girls to their supervisors.

Example sentences

หนูจะไปที่ไหนครับ?

nǒo jà bpai tîi nǎi krúb?

Where are you going to?

หนูจะข้ามถนนค่ะ

nǒo jà kâam tà-nǒn kà

I going to cross the street.

ไปส่งหนูได้มั้ยคะ?

bpai sòng nǒo dâi mái ká?

Can you take me there?

Vocabulary

ข้ามถนน / kâam tà-nǒn/ to cross the street

ไปส่ง/bpai sòng /to take to somewhere

Learn how to use ที่ไหน/tîi nǎi question word in Thai

Second personal pronoun address younger people

เรา/ rao

“เรา/rao” means “YOU” is used to address younger people, men and women and for both singular or plural. It implies some sense of superiority in the speaker.

 Example sentences

ทำไมเรามาช้า

taam mai rao maa cháa?

Why you are late?

ขอโทษครับ รถติดมากครับ

kǒr-tôd kráb rót dtìd mâak kráb

Sorry ! the traffic is very bad.

ขอโทษครับ ขอโทษครับ

kǒr-tôd kráb kǒr-tôd kráb

I’m sorry, I’m sorry

เราก็มาช้า

rao gôr  maa cháa

You are also late.

Vocabulary

ทำไม /taam mai /why

มาช้า/maa cháa/being late

รถติด/ rót dtìd /traffic jam

Listen to a podcast about how to say sorry and Thank you in Thai

Second personal pronoun using name or nickname

In Thai you may call people whom you addressing by their nicknames or by names when you are close to or know them well. But you have to be either older or at least the same age to call the people by their names. However, again in the family, the older members of a family will address the younger one by their nicknames too.

Last episode, we learn about Thai nickname in detail, if you’ve missed it please check it out

Example sentences

เมย์น่ารักอ่ะ

May nâa rák aà

You are cute.

จริงเหรอ?

jing rěu ?

really?

ฟูชอบเมย์นะ

Fuu chôb May ná

I like you

Vocabulary

น่ารัก/nâa rák / cute, pretty

จริงเหรอ?/ jing reu?/ really?

Second personal pronoun for highly respected people

ท่าน/thân

ท่าน/thân is a 2nd person pronoun. It is used when you talk to highly respected people such as monk, royal family members, court judges, Prime Minister, minister or director of the organization.

Example sentences

ท่านจะไปไหนคะ?

thân jà bpai nǎi ká?

Where are you going, sir?

จะไปธนาคาร

ja bpai tá-na-kaan

I am going to the bank.

Vocabulary

ธนาคาร/tá-na-kaan/bank

Second personal pronoun for close friend

แก /gae

As a 2nd person intimate pronoun Thais use the word แก/gae for addressing their close friends, siblings or cousins either male or female. It may sound impolite with people. So, please use this word only among your close friends.

Example sentences

แกทำการบ้านรึยัง

gae taam gan-bâan réu yang?

have you done the homework?

ยัง แกละ

yang gae là?

Not yet, what about you?

Vocabulary

การบ้าน/gan-bâan/homework

รึยัง/réu yang/ or not yet?

To answer รึยัง/réu yang question

-if your answer is “YES”

Use the verb of the question+แล้ว/láew

-if your answer is “No”

 ยัง/yang

Impolite/cursing second personal pronoun

มึง/meung

 It’s the old way of addressing people. At the present time they are considered very impolite. But as I told you in the 1st episode of Thai first personal pronoun. These kinds of words in Thai are still being used among close friends when they talk to each other and also said by the elderly people in the family to the younger family’s members. And of course, as you are a foreigner it’s better if you don’t use these words.

Example sentence

มึงอ่านอะไร

meung aàn rai aà?

What are you reading?

กูอ่านการ์ตูน

goo aàn ga-toon?

I am reading a cartoon book.

Now, it’s your turn to answer my question

what are the personal pronoun I’m not recommend you to use from previous episode and this episode?

This is the first lesson of  the new series on “Thai personal pronouns”, many more pronouns are used in Thai than in English. Therefore, this subject is very complicated because it depends on age, gender, social status, the relationship between speaker and formality of situations.

Some pronouns can be used in a variety of ways depending on the context. And they don’t change with part of speech, you will find that some words are both “I/me” or “He/him”

In Thai, pronouns are often omitted in informal conversation, especially “I” and “You”, but also “she/he/they” if understood in context whom you are referring to.

Personal pronoun for male speakers

ผม/ pǒm

I/me

ผม/phǒm is the most convenient word for men and can be used on any occasion and with almost everybody. It’s neither too formal nor informal.

For example

 ผมชอบไปเที่ยว

phǒm chôb bpai tîew

I like to go out, I like to travel.

(ผม/phǒm is being used as “I”)

เขาชอบผม

Khǒo chôb phǒm

She likes me.

(ผม/phǒm is being used as “ME”)

Personal pronoun for female speakers

 ดิฉัน/dì-chăn

Most commonly used in written Thai. It’s more formal , could be used, for example, in a meeting you don’t know the people well. Too formal for everyday conversation. In a spoken Thai is changed to ดิชั้น/dì-chán.

In everyday conversation women prefer to use ฉัน/chăn or ชั้น/chán instead. It’s more informal and intimate when used by men.

For example

(Formal situation )

คุณพูดอะไร? ดิชั้นไม่เข้าใจค่ะ

Khun pôod à-rai? dì-chán mâi kâo jai kâ

What did you say? I don’t understand.

(Informal situation)

อะไรนะ ? ชั้นไม่เข้าใจ

à-rai ná? chán mâi kâo jai

What ? I don’t understand.

If you want to learn more about the use of อะไร/à-rai  please click here

Personal pronoun for young children or girls

หนู

nǒo

I/me

It can be used as the 1st or the 2nd person pronoun and it is mostly used by young children or young girls when speaking to their elders.

Note : หนู/nǒo  literally means mouse

Example

คุณครูคะ หนูมีคำถามค่ะ

khun kru ká, nǒo mee kamtǎam kâ.

Teacher, I have a question.

(หนู/noo is being used as “I”)

หนูมีคำถามอะไรครับ

nǒo mee kamtǎam a-rai krub?

What is your question?

( หนู/noo is being used as “YOU”)

Did you know that มี/mee is not only have the meaning as to have or to has?  มี/mee can be used as verb to be in Thai language as well.

Personal pronoun for similar age

เรา

rao

I/me

it’s can be used by women or men in informal or intimate conversation.

For example

เราชอบกินขนม

rao chôb gin kâ-nôm

I like to eat snack.

เราก็ชอบกินขนม

rao gôr chôb gin kâ-nôm

I like to eat snack too.

(เรา is being used as “I”)

Vocabulary

ก็ /gôr /also, too

ขนม / kâ-nôm /snack

Now, let’s see how “เรา” works as “me” in a Thai sentence.

เค้ามาหาใคร?

káo ma hǎa krai

Who is she looking for?

 เค้ามาหาเรา

 káo maa hǎa rao

She is looking for me.

Vocabulary

มาหา /maa hǎa/ to come, to visit, to look for

ใคร/ krai / who

First name or nick name as a personal pronoun

Thai people call each other by first names. Therefore when you ask someone’s name, only the first name is usually given. Thai people normally will not give their last names, unless asked specifically.

Most Thais have nicknames or ชื่อเล่น /chêu lên. Nicknames are used in informal situations or among friends and family.

Thais nicknames are usually have one syllable, for example

เมย์/may

เอ๋/aě

ดา/daa

จ๋า/jǎa

They are often nonsense words and seldom related to the registered name.

If someone has a first name as เจนจิรา/Jenjira  she maybe has the nickname as เจน/Jen

Below are an example of nonsense Thai nickname :

แพนเค้ก/pancake

แตงกวา/dtaeng-gwaa/cucumber

มิ้วค์/milk

Read an interesting article about weird Thai nickname written by Kaewmala

Example

A : คุณชื่ออะไร

kun chêu à-rai?

What is your name?

B: ชื่อ พัชราวลัย

chêu Patcharawalai

I am Patcharawalai

A : มีชื่อเล่นมั้ย

mee chêu lên mái?

Do you have any nick name?

Learn more about question word มั้ย/mái

B : เมย์/ May

A: เราชื่อฟู

rao chêu  Foo

I am Foo.

 B :  เมย์เบื่อ

May bùa

I am bored

(Nickname is used as  “I”)

B : ให้เมย์เหรอ?

hâi May rěu ?

(is this) for me?

(Nickname is used as  “ME”)

B : ขอบใจนะ

kòb jai ná

Thanks

ขอบใจนะ/kòb jai means thank you but mostly the speaker will use this word with younger people, subordinates or friends. When ขอบคุณ/kòb kun is more commonly used with everybody and every occasion.

Don’t miss  my podcast on the subject of “Thai word of appreciation“

Impolite/cursing personal pronoun in Thai language

 Well, in Thai, there are not only the formal or informal words for the personal pronouns but there are also some vulgar words used. Which we call คำหยาบคาย/kaam yaab kaii in Thai.

Please note : it’s not recommend to use

กู goo

(as I/me)

 “กู” is the 1st personal pronoun. It is considered a very impolite way to address oneself. Most of the time it will be used in informal situations, such as showing anger. But, it is also used among close friends when they talk to each other or in the family when the elderly people talk to the younger one. However, foreigners should not use this word.

Example.

กูบอกว่า กูจะรออยู่ที่นี่ มาหากูที่นี่

goo bòk wâa, goo jà ror yòo tîi nîi, maa hǎa goo tîi nîi.

I said, I’ll wait here. Come to see me here!!

Vocabulary

บอก – Bok – to describe

จะ – ja –  will

ที่นี่ – tee nee – here

Now, it’s your turn to answer my question

คุณมีชื่อเล่นว่าอะไร?

kun mii chêu lên wâa à-rai?

what is your nickname?

For those of you who don’t have a nickname or would like to have a Thai nickname please leave your name, thing that you like or tell me about yourself. I will give you a Thai nickname and, of course, it will have a good meaning

Download the .mp3 to listen offline here

Don’t miss the previous lessons

• Thai Question word part 1
• Thai Question word part 2
• Thai Question word part 3
• Thai Question word  part 4

Thai question words part 5

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 !!!

หรือเปล่า/rĕu bplào /or not

หรือเปล่า/ rĕu bplào at the end of the statement mean “or not?” but the meaning isn’t as strong as in English, demand “yes” or “no” answer.

Answers to หรือเปล่า/ rĕu bplào question are

1. If the answer is “yes” , you can use the verb of the question as an answer.

2.if the answer is “no” you have 2 options

-ไม่/mâi +verb of the question

OR

เปล่า/ bplào

There are 3 different varieties of หรือเปล่า/ rĕu bplào depend on the formality of the question

1.หรือเปล่า/ rĕu bplào is commonly used in written or formal conversation.

2.รึเปล่า/ réu bplào is less formal and use in everyday conversation.

3. ป่ะ/ bpà is either slang or use in casual conversation.

Sentence example

 Question

 หิวหรือเปล่า

hĭw rĕu bplào
Hungry (or not)?

Answer :yes หิว/hĭw/ (I’m) hungry.

Answer :no ไม่หิว/mâi hĭw/ (I’m) hungry

 Question

ร้อนรึเปล่า

rón réu bplào
Hot (or not)?

Answer :yes ร้อน/ rón /hot

Answer :no ไม่ร้อน/ mâi rón /not hot

Question

คุณรักผมรึเปล่า

kun rák pŏm réu bplào
(Do) you love me (or not)?

Answer :yes รัก/ rák /(yes) love

Answer :no ไม่รัก/ mâi rák /(yes) love

Question

เอาป่ะ

ao bpà

do) you want?

Answer :yes เอา/ao / (yes, I) want

Answer :no ไม่เอา/ mâi  ao/no ( I don’t ) want

Now, it’s your turn to answer the question

เข้าใจรึเปล่า

kâo jai réu bplào

Please leave the answer in a comment area below

Download the .mp3 to listen offline here

Don’t miss the previous lessons

• Thai Question word part 1
• Thai Question word part 2
• Thai Question word part 3

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.

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

Download the .mp3 to listen offline  here

Don’t miss the previous lessons

• Thai Question word part 1
• Thai Question word part 2
• Verb to be in Thai part 1

Thai question words part 3

This is the third 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 !!!

 อะไร/ a-rai

อะไร/ a-rai means what, using the pattern

verb (phase) + อะไร/ a-rai

Useful verbs mentioned on the VDO

1. ชื่อ/ chêu / name

2. ทำ/ tam / to do

3. ทำงาน/ tam ngaan/ to work

4. กินข้าว/ gin kâao/ to eat

5. เป็น/ bpen /to be

6.เรียกว่า/ rîak wâa/ to be called

Useful words mentioned on the VDO

1.นี่/ nêe / this

2.ชาเย็น/ chaa yen/ Thai iced tea

3.มังคุด /mang kút/ mangosteen

4. ครู / kroo/ teacher

5. หมอ/ mŏr/ doctor

  Sentence example

Formal situation

Question : คุณชื่ออะไร

kun chêu a-rai

what is your name?

Answer : ผมชื่อเจมครับ

pŏm chêu Jame kráp

My name is Jame.

Informal situation

Question : ชื่ออะไร

chêu a-rai
what (is your) name?

Answer : แอน/ Ann

Question : นี่เรียกว่าอะไร

nêe rîak wâa a-rai

What is this called?

 Answer : นี่เรียกว่าชาเย็น

nêe rîak wâa  chaa yen

This is called  Chaa Yen (Thai iced tea)

Informal situation

Question : นี่อะไร

nêe a-rai

What (is) this?

Answer : นี่ชาเย็น

nêe chaa yen

This (is) Chaa Yen (Thai iced tea)

Answer : นี่มังคุด

nêe mang kút

This (is) Mangosteen

Question : ทำอะไร

tam a-rai

What (are you) doing?

Answer :ทำงาน

tam ngaan

(I’m) working

Answer :กินข้าว

gin kâao

(I’m) eating.

Question : คุณทำงานอะไร

kun tam ngaan a-rai

What work (do) you do?

Answer : ฉันเป็นครู

chăn bpen kroo

I’m a teacher.

Answer : ผมเป็นหมอ

pŏm bpen mŏr
I’m a doctor.

Now, it’s your turn to answer the question

คุณทำงานอะไร

kun tam ngaan a-rai?

Please leave the answer in a comment area below

Thai question words part 2

Thai question word part 1 

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

]]> https://ressources.learn2speakthai.net/thaigirltalk/thai-question-words-part-2/feed/ 21 https://ressources.learn2speakthai.net/thaigirltalk/thai-question-words-part-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=thai-question-words-part-1 https://ressources.learn2speakthai.net/thaigirltalk/thai-question-words-part-1/#comments Fri, 06 Sep 2013 14:41:14 +0000 Mia http://ressources.learn2speakthai.net/?post_type=podcasts&p=7993 This is part 1 of a 5 part series on question words in Thai language. This episode we are talking about  ใช่ไหม/châi măi/isn’t that right?]]> This is part 1 of a 5 part series on question words in Thai language. This episode we are talking about  ใช่ไหม/châi măi/ isn’t that right?

Download MP3 to listen offline here

 Thai question words part 1

This is the first 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 first question words of this series!!!

 ใช่ไหม/châi măi

ใช่ไหม/châi măi is used when the speaker show some reasonably high confidence toward the information and simply want the listener to confirm it. It’s call confirmation question, equivalent to

-aren’t you? 

-isn’t it ?

 -right? 

isn’t that right?

 These questions are used when you are sure about the answer but still not 100% and you want the listener to confirm it.

There are 3 different ways to say ใช่ไหม/châi măi, it’s depend on the degree of formality

1.ใช่ไหม/châi măi  is used in written Thai and in a very formal situation.

2.ใช่มั้ย/châi máai   is used in spoken Thai and casual situation but commonly used. I recommend you to use in spoken Thai.

3.ใช่มะ/châi má is only use in very informal situation.

 Sentence example

•   เขาเป็นคนไทยใช่ไหม?

kăo bpen kon tai chái măi?

He is Thai, isn’t he?

•  เค้าเป็นคนไทยใช่มั้ย?

káo bpen kon tai chái máai

He is Thai, right?

•  เค้าเป็นฝรั่ง**ใช่มะ?

káo bpen fà-ràng chái má

He is a foreigner, isn’t he?

**ฝรั่ง/fà-ràng is the nickname that Thai people use to call foreigners except Asian foreigners.

•  เป็นฝรั่งใช่มั้ย?

bpen fà-ràng chái má

Are (you) a foreigner?

Special note on the question, the speaker has dropped the pronoun “เป็นฝรั่งใช่มั้ย”

When the pronoun is well understood in the context ,the pronoun can be dropped.

what is เป็น/pben ? how to use it? check it Thai verb to be part 1

Answer  ใช่ไหม/châi măi question

YES answer

You have 2 options:

1. ครับ/kráp( for male speakers), ค่ะ/kâ (for female speakers)

2.ใช่/châi

NO answer

ไม่ใช่/ mâi  châi

Example

Question :  เขาเป็นคนไทยใช่ไหม?

kăo bpen kon tai chái măi?

He is Thai, isn’t he?

Answer : ครับ/ kráp/ yes (male speaker)

ค่ะ/ kâ/ yes (female speaker)

Question : เค้าเป็นคนไทยใช่มั้ย?

káo bpen kon tai chái máai?

He is Thai, right?

Answer : ใช่/châi

Question : เค้าเป็นฝรั่งใช่มะ?

káo bpen fà-ràng chái má

He is a foreigner, isn’t he?

Answer : ไม่ใช่/mâi châi

Question : เป็นฝรั่งใช่มั้ย?

bpen fà-ràng chái má

Are (you) a foreigner?

Special note on the question, the speaker has dropped the pronoun “เป็นฝรั่งใช่มั้ย”

When the pronoun is well understood in the context ,the pronoun can be dropped.

 Answer :ไม่ใช่ เป็นลูกครึ่ง

mâi châi bpen lôok krêung

No, (I) am biracial.

ลูกครึ่ง/lôok krêung means mixed race.

The answer is not only disagree with the question, the speaker is also give the correct information.

Now, it’s your turn to answer the question

คุณอยู่เมืองไทยใช่มั้ย?

kun yùu muang Thai châi mái?

Please leave the answer in a comment area below

Have you missed the previous episodes?

Verb to be number 4 :อยู่/ yòo

อยู่  yòo means to live (at), to be situated at, to be located

Example

• อยู่ไหน/  yòo năi ?

อยู่/ yòo / to be situated at
ไหน/ năi / where

where are (you) ?

• อยู่บ้าน/  yòo bâan

อยู่/  yòo/  to be situated at
บ้าน/  bâan/ house, home

(I) am (at ) home

• อยู่กับใคร/ yòo gàp krai ?

อยู่/ yòo/ to be situated at
กับ/  gàp/ with
ใคร/ krai / who

Who are (you) with ?

• อยู่คนเดียว/ yòo kon dieow

อยู่/ yòo/ to be situated at
คนเดียว/ kon dieow/ oneself

(I) am (by) myself

• ไม่เชื่อ/ mâi chêua

ไม่/ mâi/  no, not
เชื่อ/ chêua/ believe

(I do) not believe (you)

• ตามใจ/  dtaam jai

ตาม/ dtaam/  to follow
ใจ/   jai /  heart

Up to you

Learn more about ตามใจ/  dtaam jai by click here and fast forward to track to 5:52 mins.

 If you read the post this far, why not answer the question below

คุณอยู่กับใคร

yòo gàp krai

อยู่/ yòo/ to be situated at
กับ/  gàp/ with
ใคร/ krai / who

Who do you live with?

If you don’t know how to give the answer in Thai please visit this website, type out your answer in English and get the word in Thai.

Leave your answer on the comment box below

Have you missed the previous episodes?

Verb to be number 3 : มี/ mee

มี /mee has 2 meanings

1. to have, to has

Example

ผมมีเงิน

pŏm mee ngern
I have money.

 2. there is, there are

Example

เมื่อคืนมีใครไม่รู้โทรมา

mêua keun mee krai mâi róo toh maa
Last night, there was someone (who) called (me).

เมื่อคืน / mêua keun/ last night
มี /mee /there is , there was
ใคร / krai / who
ไม่รู้ / mâi róo/  not know
โทรมา /  toh maa/ phoned

แต่ทำไมเธอไม่โทรหาเรา

dtàe tam-mai ter mâi toh hăa rao
But why didn’t you call me.

แต่/ dtàe/ but
ทำไม/ tam mai/ why
เธอ/ ter / you (in formal)
ไม่/ mâi/ not, not
โทรหา/ toh hǎa / call to
เรา/ rao/ I (in formal)

 อ่านหนังสือ ไม่มีเวลา

àan năng-sĕu mâi mee way-laa
I was reading, there was no time.

อ่านหนังสือ

àan năng-sĕu

read a book

อ่าน/ àan/ to read
หนังสือ/ năng-sĕu/ book

ไม่มีเวลา

ไม่มี/ mâi mee/ there is no
เวลา/ way-laa/ time

ไม่มีใครรักเราเลย

mâi mee krai rák rao loie

There is nobody (who) loves me.

ไม่มีใคร / mâi mee krai / there is nobody
รัก / rák/ love
เรา/ rao/ I (in formal)
เลย/ leoi/ totally

ไม่มีใครเข้าใจผมเลย

There is nobody (who) really understands me.
mâi mee krai kâo jai pŏm loie

ไม่มีใคร / mâi mee krai / there is nobody
เข้าใจ/ kâo jai/ understand
ผม/ pǒm / I (male speaker)
เลย/ leoi/ totally