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Thai words or phrases I should know...


Bobbynasty

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EVERY Beginners Guide to Bangkok states that you should learn some words or phrases in Thai but they all forget to say what are the best things to learn. So I want to know from those that have been there what are some words phrases that could have helped you out? Are certain words better to learn or should I practice whole phrases. I made a list of words and phrases I think might help me out but if I could get some critiques that would be awesome.

 

Words:

drink

food

spicy

yes

no

wait

fast 

slow

taxi

hotel

 

Phrases:

How much for...

Where is...

How do I get to...

What is your name?

How are you?

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Also know you Thai numbers at least 1 - 10 plus hello and  goodbye (which are the same word), thank you and please  (there are several words for please depending on the situation.) also the get out of jail saying Mai ben rai - meaning not a problem.

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EVERY Beginners Guide to Bangkok states that you should learn some words or phrases in Thai but they all forget to say what are the best things to learn. So I want to know from those that have been there what are some words phrases that could have helped you out? Are certain words better to learn or should I practice whole phrases. I made a list of words and phrases I think might help me out but if I could get some critiques that would be awesome.

 

Words:

drink

food

spicy

yes

no

wait

fast 

slow

taxi

hotel

 

Phrases:

How much for...

Where is...

How do I get to...

What is your name?

How are you?

 

I don't know a lot but

 

yes - khrap/kah - khrap is also used at the end of most sentences and phrases to maintain a polite tone. Like most asian languages Thai uses tone for defining meaning and less so for expressions of intent or emotion. Khrap is used by male speakers and Kah is used by female speakers. If you find your self in a situation that calls for even more politeness or to express regret use 'nah khrap' at the end of your sentence.

 

no - my Khrap/my - my (often spelled 'mai) is used to express a negative

 

Taxi - everyone says taxi

 

hello/goodbye - sawatdee khrap

 

toilet - hong-nam

 

The toilets are where? - Hong-nam yew tee-nigh khrap? The question word (tee-nigh/where) is usually placed where the answer would appear in the sentence eg: Hong-nam yew tee-nah kah. /The toilets are there.

 

you - khun/coon

 

thank you - khob khun khrap

 

excuse me - koh tode khrap - can be used to get someone's attention or 'pardon me'

 

one - nung Most food stalls sell only one sometimes two dishes. Point at what you want and say 'Nung khrap'.

 

2 - song, 3 - sam, 4 - see, 5 - ha, 6 - hoke, 7 - chet/jhet, 8 - baat, 9 - gow, 10 - sip

 

the food stalls prices are often in multiples of ten, so knowing how to recognize these can be important.

20 - yeesip, 30 - samsip, 40 - seesip, 50 - hasip, 60 - hokesip etc

 

The girls know how to say bigger numbers 5,000 baht ;)

 

The number 5 is used instead of lol because it is pronounced ha - 555 = hahaha. You will see it on advertising everywhere and after you fall in love and are texting your new tgf

 

My experience is limited, anyone can feel free to correct me.

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Some useful stuff from me:

วันนี้คุณสบายดีไหม - how are you today?

 

ขอเบอร์โทรศัพท์คุณได้ไหม - may I have your phone number

 

ขอ - is may I or can I so can be used in many ways

 

Say your In the south and you want to go hit a beach with your barfine.

 

เอาไปเที่ยวทะเลกับคุณ - I want to go to the beach with you

 

Or

 

เอาไปเที่ยวทะเลด้วยได้ไหม - I want to go to the beach together

 

A good one to use if you want to hook up with someone after work.

 

หลังจักทำงานคุณทำอะไร - after work what you doing? Or ยุ่งไหม - busy?

 

กี่โมงคุณเสร็จทำงาน -what time do you finish work?

 

นี่เท่าไร - how much is this?

Edited by kopite
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Ah ok in that case I'll translate. Although the transliteration for Thai is stupid as there is no 1 universal system so you see different ways of spelling it.

 

Sabai dee mai - how are you?

khaw - may I have

khaw bhur thor a sap khoon dai mai - can I have your phone number?

Ao bpai thiao tha leh gap khoon - I want to go to the beach with you

Bpai duay - go together

bpai mai - wanna go?

Lang jak tam ngan khoon tam arai - what you doing after work?

Ghee mohng khoon set tam ngan - what time you finish work?

Nee thao rai - how much is this?

Seua khawng - shopping

Lawng sai dai mai - can I try this on?

Dai - ok

Mai dai - not ok/cannot

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