If you want to learn Thai, one of the best tips for learning a language from another country is to practice speaking with native Thai speakers, as Thai is a tonal language.
Thai, also referred to as Siamese, is the indigenous language of Thailand and is characterized by its tonal nature. There exist various dialects of Thai, such as Isan, and it shares connections with Shan and Lao. Nonetheless, the standard Thai language is employed by the government and educational institutions in Thailand. The alphabetic sentence structure of Thai finds its roots in Indic scripts. To effectively acquire proficiency in speaking Thai, it is imperative to vocalize the language as the alteration in pitch distinguishes between individual words.
Typically, for Thai language learners, their initial weakness lies in spoken language. This is primarily due to the fact that when beginning to learn a second language, learners typically focus on reading. Consequently, if one’s focus is mainly on reading rather than speaking, the development of speaking skills becomes limited.
Can You Speak Thai?
To enhance your speaking skills, it is imperative to dedicate more time towards practicing speaking. Here are some top-notch tips to assist you in commencing your journey:
- Read Aloud
To acquire the ability to communicate in Thai, it is crucial to begin by familiarizing oneself with fundamental vocabulary and expressions. When engaging in Thai language lessons and practicing reading Thai script, it is essential to vocalize the words. Afterwards, to enhance accurate pronunciation and learn Thai, one should repeat the process at a faster tempo. This practice should be repeated until fluency in speaking Thai more quickly is achieved.
Make an effort to pronounce it accurately, but avoid getting carried away. Speed up your reading, show emotions, and introduce some alterations to the sentence. Speaking out loud aids in the development of the mouth and diaphragm muscles for producing unfamiliar sounds and words.
- Be Prepared In Advance
You might be familiar with the fact that the majority of language learners struggle to find something to say. Nevertheless, if you plan your phrases beforehand, you won’t feel disoriented during the conversation. This approach will not only assist you in acquiring the knowledge of how to express these terms, but also in grasping their appropriate usage.
Knowing how to navigate independently is crucial when visiting Thailand, especially if you have prior experience with the country. Familiarizing yourself with basic phrases and recognizing when they are used will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively. An effective approach to get ready for Thai conversations is to acquire knowledge of commonly asked questions and their corresponding responses.
- Shadow Or Repeat The Thai Phrases You Hear
Shadows are a useful resource that can enhance fluency, accent, and comprehensibility. By aiding in the formation of neural connections, shadows facilitate the accurate and rapid generation of words and sentences.
Furthermore, shadows play a role in fostering muscle memory for the various body parts involved in producing these sounds. Considering your native language and the language you aim to acquire, it is probable that there will be unfamiliar sounds for your mouth. One way to engage in shadow practice is by watching films or television series or listening to music.
- Review Or Practice Again And Again
Reviewing is crucial and essential for language learners. Many language learners fail to recognize its importance. By regularly reviewing your Thai lessons and dialogues, and practicing repeating lines, you will notice significant improvements in your Thai speaking skills, fluency, and confidence levels.
Engaging in conversations with native speakers is the primary objective of acquiring a new language, serving as a genuine measure of one’s fluency. Consequently, enlisting the services of a proficient, certified instructor who is consistently prepared to teach Thai as a native tongue can yield advantageous outcomes.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Make Mistakes!
Do not hesitate to engage in conversations with others. The Thai people are incredibly hospitable and value your efforts to learn their language. Additionally, this will facilitate your language acquisition and help you integrate into their society. Enhance your pronunciation and strengthen your fluency by engaging in one-on-one discussions with an experienced Thai teacher who is a native speaker.
It may come as a surprise that many beginners in language learning tend to shy away from speaking. The quicker you learn is directly related to how much you practice speaking. Thus, take every opportunity to speak Thai, be it ordering a coffee, making a purchase, or seeking directions.
General Words & Phrases
Hello, Sa was dee – Greeting.
Khun is a title used to address both men and women, indicating either their marital status or gender.
The word “Ka” is commonly used by females, while “Khrap” is typically used by males as a polite suffix at the end of a sentence.
Khop Khun is a way to express gratitude.
How are you – Sa bai dee mai?
Greetings, thank you – I am doing well, thank you.
I apologize – Chan sear jai
Can you lend me a hand, Shuay chan?
Can you kindly speak at a slower pace?
Kho thot can be rephrased as “Excuse me” or “Pardon me.”
I need assistance in making a phone call.
Wishing you good luck – Chok dee.
Make a right turn, Liao Khwa.
Make a left turn – Switch to the left side
Kindly drive at a slow speed – Proat kap cha cha.
Can you please wait for a moment?
Cease, Yut
Street in Thai is called Thanon.
Lane in Thai is called “Soi”.
Klong, which means canal, should be rephrased while retaining the same meaning.
Shopping
What is the price of this?
Paeng maak – It is excessively pricey.
Is there any discount available?
Could you please wrap it for me?
Food
Rice – also known as Kao.
Sticky rice is known as Kao Nyaw.
Fried rice is known as Kao phat.
Butter – Nuir
Bread – also known as ka nom pang
Kai, the name given to a fertilized ovum that develops into an animal or human being.
Chicken – Gai
The sound made by a cow – Meat from a pig.
Fish – Pla
Duck – Ped
Nuar refers to beef.
Shrimp – Kung
Lobster – Kung
Pak refers to a vegetable.
Fruit is called pol la mai.
The word Kluay represents a type of fruit known as banana.
Watermelon – Teng mo.
Rose apple is another term for chumpo.
Guava is commonly known as falang.
The fruit called Mamuwang is also known as mango.
Pineapple is also known as Saparoot.
Grapes – Angun
The color is orange.
Orange juice is known as Nam som.
Water is called Nam.
This text cannot be rephrased as it appears to be a made-up word or phrase, “Glur – Salt,” without any context or meaning. Please provide a different sentence or text that can be rephrased.
Glass – Keaw
Fork – Sorm
Spoon – Chorne.
Chopstick – That’s life.
Spice it up – Paet
Slightly spicy – Paet nitnoi.
Paet maak is extremely spicy.
No Chili added – Mai Sai Prik
Health
Cure/Heal – Kae/Rak
Hospital is located in Rong pa ya barn.
Fever – Pen kai.
Cough – Ei
Suffering from a headache – Paud hua.
The phrase “Paud tong” refers to experiencing a stomachache.
Accommodation
Pillow – Hmorn
Blanket – Pa hom
Towel – Also known as pa ched tua.
Piek – Moist
Dry by hanging.
Toilet – Hong nam.
Bedroom – Hong norn.
Banking
Bank – Ta na karn
Ngern Park – Deposit
Withdraw – torn ngern.
Cash – Ngern sod.
