No matter why you are coming to the Land of Smiles, it is essential to arrive with some understanding of the Thai language. Utilize this extensive phrase guide to acquire the fundamental Thai phrases for your journey and you will certainly impress the locals.
With its remarkable landscape, legendary beaches, and fantastic food, it is no wonder that Thailand is among the top tourist destinations worldwide. Additionally, the tropical climate offers a perfect escape from the colder European, American, and other distant regions. Furthermore, the country’s long history has uniquely molded Thai culture.
Prior to exploring which Thai phrases you should familiarize yourself with, let’s engage in a more extensive exploration of the captivating Thai language, discovering its intriguing origins and the locations where it is spoken.
A Quick History of Thai
Thai is classified as a member of the Southwestern language family, which includes other languages like Lao and Shan found in the Southeast Asian peninsula. The vocabulary of the Thai language consists of numerous words that have origins in Pali and Sanskrit, two ancient Indic languages. Moreover, Thai has extensively incorporated words from Mon, an indigenous language spoken in Thailand and Myanmar, as well as Khmer, the official language of Cambodia.
Starting with Old Thai, the development of Modern Thai has been influenced by various factors such as population changes, territorial changes, and external influences. During the thirteenth century, the initial Thai script emerged and underwent notable transformations to become the script utilized in present-day Thailand.
Where is Thai Spoken?
Having acquired knowledge about the historical background, we can now shift our focus to the geographical distribution of Thai. Unsurprisingly, Thai serves as the official language in Thailand. Despite this apparent fact, Thai encompasses a considerable degree of linguistic diversity. Multiple Thai dialects, for instance, exist.
The most common dialect would be Central Thai, spoken natively in Bangkok, the country’s capital, and in the central region. There are also distinct dialects to the south, east, and north of Thailand. The most notable of which is the Southern dialect and the Isaan (Northeastern) dialect of Thai, which shares many similarities with the language of neighboring Laos.
When it comes to Laos, a considerable number of individuals, particularly those residing in Thailand’s Northeastern region, possess the ability to speak or comprehend the language due to its resemblance. Thai serves as a major source of media in Laos, thereby being comprehended by a significant part of the populace. Moreover, the prevalence of Laotians working in Thailand contributes to its widespread presence, especially in proximity to the border.
Furthermore, Thai is acknowledged as a language in certain regions of neighboring countries, similar to Khmer, Malay, and Burmese. It is also worth mentioning that various minority languages are spoken by minority groups within Thailand.
Thai is spoken by almost everyone in Thailand. While Thai people may speak the language in other countries where they work, it is not recognized as an official language anywhere else.
How Many People Speak Thai?
Including native and non-native speakers, Thai is estimated to have a total of approximately 60 million speakers, ranking it as the 22nd most widely spoken language globally.
Thai Grammar
Although the proper word arrangement in Thai is SVO, meaning the Subject is positioned first in the sentence, followed by the Verb and the Object, this rule only provides a foundation for constructing simple sentences and does not encompass every aspect.
The omission of the subject is not uncommon in Thai. If the subject is obvious from the context, then the pronouns can be left out. The object can also be left out in some cases. This can make things rather ambiguous, which again makes the context important.
Thai word order differs from English in multiple ways. One difference is that, in Thai, question particles are added to the end of the sentence when asking questions. Additionally, adjectives are placed after the verb in Thai. When it comes to pluralizing nouns, classifiers must be used in Thai. Although English also utilizes classifiers for certain words, they are more commonly used in Thai.
Thai Pronunciation
Similar to Norwegian, Swedish, and Vietnamese, Thai is a tonal language with an added complexity of its unique alphabet. This can pose challenges for English speakers as tones are unfamiliar to them. Thai consists of five tones: Low, Mid, High, Falling, and Rising, which affect the pitch of pronunciation. Tone markers in written words indicate which tone should be used.
In the Thai language, certain sounds are absent in English. Thai distinguishes between aspirated and unaspirated consonants, indicating that some consonants are pronounced with an expelled burst of air while others are not. Additionally, Thai includes distinct combinations such as the exclusive ‘bp’ sound.
Thai consonants can all be found in English, to some extent, but Thai vowels are more complex. Along with differences in vowel length, there are certain sounds that do not exist in English. The key lies in acquiring and honing the skill of pronouncing them through learning and practice.
Thai Culture
The culture of Thailand has been significantly impacted by Buddhism, which is the primary religion followed in the country. Temples, monks, and ceremonies are frequently observed throughout Thailand. Buddhism has also influenced various aspects of society. For instance, there are distinct forms of communication related to religion and religious texts. Additionally, it is common to witness individuals adorned with amulets, which are believed to bring good fortune and protect the wearer, as well as tattoos thought to possess mystical abilities.
Thai culture places great importance on family and social status. When interacting with individuals of different age or hierarchical position, such as your boss, it is customary to use different language and mannerisms compared to conversing with equals. Families in Thailand tend to have strong bonds, with children often providing financial support to their parents on a monthly basis. Unless they have job-related reasons to relocate, it is common for individuals to live with or in close proximity to their extended families.
Thai culture is characterized by a laid-back and unhurried approach to life. Whether influenced by the warm climate or a tranquil environment, individuals refrain from displaying intense emotions or reactions, opting instead for a composed disposition. This practice serves the purpose of preserving their reputation or evading any form of social judgment. Although they may not make it apparent, it should be understood that their outward demeanor in public might not accurately represent their internal emotions.
Curiosities about Thai
In Thai, khap is added at the end of sentences when the speaker is male and kha when the speaker is female. These words do not have a specific meaning, but they serve to express politeness and respect.
For males, the subject pronoun ‘I’ is phom, and for females, it is dichan.
Knowing where a word starts and ends can be extremely challenging in written Thai as there are no gaps or spaces between words.
Instead of asking ‘How are you?’, Thais will commonly ask ‘Have you eaten yet?’ (kin khao reu yang).
In addition, they lack a designated term to express ‘goodbye’. Occasionally, they resort to the English phrase bye-bye (though they indeed have one, lakon, it signifies farewell for an extended period).
Just like in Spanish, the subject pronouns Yo, tú, etc. are often omitted in Thai.
Thai Language for Travelers: Some Useful Words and Phrases
You may not pronounce these words flawlessly, but as long as you use them appropriately, people will likely comprehend your meaning (if you mention “arroy” after finishing a meal, the waiter will easily understand that you enjoyed the food).
Greetings – sawatdee khrap/kha (khrap for males, kha for females) ??????
Thank you – khop khun khrap / kha ??????
No problem / you’re welcome – mai pen rai khrap / kha ??? ?????? You’re welcome – mai pen rai khrap / kha ??? ??????, without any issues.
What is the cost? – thao rai khrap / kha?
One is called “neung”, two is called “sawng”, three is called “saam”, four is called “see”, five is called “haa”, six is called “hok”, seven is called “jet”, eight is called “paet”, nine is called “kao”, and ten is called “sip”.
The food is amazingly tasty – aroy khrap / kha ?????
What is your country of origin: (man) – phom maa jaak _______ ?? ??? ????, (woman) – Dichan maa jaak _______ ?? ??? ????
What is the equivalent of “Like” in Thai?
I am not fond of it – mai chawb khrap/kha ??? ???
I have an affinity for Thailand – phom (male) / dichan (female) chawb prathet thai ??? ?????????
Is it pretty – suai or narak?
Is it correct to say “chai khrap / kha” ???
Is it not chai khrap / kha?
May I have the bill, please? – Check, bin khrap / kha.
What is the Thai word for bathroom?
Where can I find the restroom? – hawng naam yuu thi nai khrab / kha ??????? ???? ??????
