Whether you’re travelling to Thailand for enterprise or leisure, it’s all the time great to know slightly little bit of the native language. Learning primary Thai phrases means showing effort and respect to the local culture. It will help ease interactions between you and the locals, making your journey lots simpler and enjoyable. Since Thai is a tonal language, it might be challenging to learn. You’re doubtless going to make mistakes at first, however don’t let that discourage you. Even when you pronounce something wrong, most locals will nonetheless respect your effort and may even help you pronounce it the proper means.
Below, we’ve compiled some of the most typical phrases that you’ll likely use lots throughout your time within the Land of Smiles.
Before persevering with with the greetings and other important phrases, we should first cowl some of the basic rules. To make your sentence or question more well mannered and respectful, it’s essential to end your sentences with the word khap/ka if you end up conversing with someone in Thai.
It’s primarily based on the gender of the particular person speaking, not who you would possibly be speaking to. So if you are a male, you should finish your sentence with the phrase khap or krap. If you are a feminine, remember to full your sentence with the phrase ka. There’s no direct translation of khap/ka in English.
Khun is a polite method to address an individual. You add the phrase before a person’s name. While it’s similar to utilizing Mr. or Ms. in English, there’s no direct correlation to English.
Out of all useful phrases, greeting somebody and saying thank you are the most essential Thai phrases you want to know. Mastering these Thai phrases will help connect you a bit extra with the individuals you meet within the nation.
Sawatdee is one phrase you’ll most likely use lots in Thailand. It’s a approach to say hello or howdy in Thai, so try to use it to greet anybody who crosses your path. Don’t overlook to add khap or ka at the finish to make a full, polite greeting. You would possibly butcher the phrase at first, however don’t worry; most Thais will kindly allow you to with the proper pronunciation.
If you wish to thank someone or be polite, use khap khun krap/ka. If you wish to be extra well mannered, try to learn how to carry out ‘wai,’ which is a Thai greeting that can be used as a approach to say thank you.
You can use kor toht krap/ka as a method to apologise or to ask folks on your consideration. You can also use it to dismiss yourself from a setting or specific condolences.
You’ll most probably hear this phrase so much throughout your time in Thailand. Mai pen rai is a way to answer someone’s apology or gratitude. Using mai pen rai tells the other person who they’re not bothering you.
The phrases sure and no are used differently in several contexts. If someone asks you whether or not something is true or mistaken, use chai (yes) or mai chai (no) to reply the query. However, if somebody asks you about your capacity to do one thing, reply with daa (yes – can) or mai dai (no – can’t).
When you don’t perceive one thing, just say “mai kao jai.” Upon listening to this phrase, the opposite person might try to find alternative ways to elucidate whatever they’re trying to let you know.
When you part ways with somebody, use “la gorn khap/ka” to say goodbye to them. Sometimes, a easy wai may be sufficient if you’re not assured sufficient to pronounce the phrase.
If you want to inform somebody that you’re hungry in Thai, simply say “hiu” (pronounced hee-yoo).
Some restaurants and avenue meals stalls may not embrace the value of their menu. If that’s the case, you’ll have the ability to say “jarn-nee rah-car tao-rai?” If the phrase is just too long and too onerous to pronounce, you must use the shorter version: “tao-rai krap/ka?” (how much?).
This is unquestionably an important phrase to recollect if you can’t stand spicy meals. Thai meals tends to have a lot of chilli and other spices, so if you don’t want to set your mouth and stomach on hearth, remember to learn how to say “mai pet.”
Some eating places and street food stalls should still put a small number of chilli in your dish even after saying mai pet. Therefore, if you don’t need any chilli in your food, you can say “mai sai prik,” which implies “don’t put chilli in my meals at all.”
Love spicy food? Say “ao phed-phed” to make positive that your dish is made further spicy.
Sugar is used in many Thai dishes and drinks, from espresso to noodle soup. If you wish to cut some energy or you don’t like candy drinks, merely say “mai sai nam tam.”
Want to order something to take home? Say “ao glub baan.” Since ao glub baan literally means “go home,” you can also use the phrase to tell someone that you’re going home.
If the food is scrumptious, don’t neglect to precise some appreciation by saying “aroi!”
Don’t let anyone rip you off by knowing the means to give some basic directions in Thai can. Some taxi drivers may intentionally take wrong turns to make the ride longer, so they get more money from you. Therefore, use Google Map and show them that you realize the directions to achieve your destination. Being in a position to direct a driver will prevent a lot money and time. Use “leo sai” to ask the driving force to turn left, “leo kwaa” to turn right, and “dtrong bpai” to go straight.
When you’re late however the driver is slow, use this phrase to ask them to drive sooner.
Feeling unsafe because the driving force is speeding? Say “hai chah long” if you want to ask them to drive slower.
Nothing is worse than having to go to the toilet but not figuring out the place to search out one. Therefore, remember this easy phrase and save yourself from undesirable conditions.
Some sellers use the infamous “farang price” for foreigners, which is far more expensive than what a Thai would pay for. Asking the value of an item in Thai can actually scale back your chances of paying double the unique price.
When buying in a traditional market, make certain to negotiate for a reduction. In most instances, the vendor will present you with decrease prices!
Find one thing you like, but want it in another colour? Ask Fully refundable if they have the item in several colours by saying, “mee see eun mai?”g