Thai Language

If you are coming to Thailand to train or just to have a holiday the following Thai words and phrases will be very helpful.

To be more polite when making a request or greeting, male people should add "khrab" to the end of a sentence and females "kaa".

You will find these words spelt differently in other texts such as Khrab spelt "krub" (for men) and "kaa" spelt “ka” (for women). It is simply a variation of the English translation.

1. Hello (sa-wat-dee)   

 The most common greeting you will hear in Thailand is "sawatdee". This is quite often used for both hello and goodbye. With most of the phrases on this page you need to end with the polite words: khrab if you are male and kaa if you are female.

Eg. Say “Sawatdee kaa” if you are a female saying hello and “Sawatdee khrab for males”

 2. Thank you (khorb koon) 

 Remember you are representing your country when overseas so please be polite. It is always appreciated when you say "thank you" if someone assists you.     

 3. How much? (gee baht)    

 When you are shopping you will be often asking "how much?"     

 4. Where is? (yoo tee nai)  

 Just point at a place on your map and say "yoo tee nai" or add the name of the place you are looking for at the end for example, "yoo tee nai Zoo?”

 5. I don't want (mai ow)     

 If you are approached by vendors trying to sell you something you may say to them “Mai ow” if you are not interested in the item.

6. Sorry (khor thot)     

 This is another word to help you, use this phrase be polite.        

 7. Count up to ten (0-10) (soon-sib)  

 It is useful for visitors to know basic numbers and be able to count up to ten.

0 = soon

1 = neung

2 = sorng

3 = sarm

4 = see

5 = har

6 = hog

7 = jead

8 = paed

9 = gao

10 = sib

 8. Can you make it cheaper? (lot noi dai mai) 

 While shopping try this Thai phrase to negotiate a discount.       

 9. Delicious (a-roi)     

 After your meal the chef would love to hear that you found the food delicious.       

 10. Never mind (mai ben rai)     

 If someone says “sorry” to you for doing something wrong or says "thank you" for a gift just say "mai ben rai". (It’s like saying “it’s ok”)

Basic Greeting conversation ONE

Person A. How are you? (sabai dee mai)

Person B. I am fine. (sabai dee)*

Person B And you? (lao khun lae)

Person A. I am fine. (sabai dee)*

*Quite often in Thai you don't need to say "I". But, you can if you like. For men say "phom sabai dee", for women say "di-chun sabai dee".

Basic Greeting conversation TWO

Person A. What is your name? (khun chue arai)

Person B. My name is.... (phom chue....)*

Person A. Nice to know you (yin dee tee dai roo-juk)

Person B. Nice to know you too (chen gun)

*Here, phom is "I" used by men, for a woman you should say di-chun.

Always use "krub" (for men) and "ka" (for women) to be polite. Add these words to the end of all the examples given above.

Enroll now and to put your Thai language skills to use!

Remember everyone deserves a Traditional Thai Massage!

:)