Basic Thai For Travelers: Essential Phrases You Need to Know
Basic Thai For Travelers: Essential Phrases You Need to Know
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Looking
to pick up some basic Thai for your travels? You’ve come to the right place as
in this article, I’m going to walk you through a few basic Thai phrases and
words that will immensely help you when traveling around the country.
Learning
a language, or at least trying to is a huge part of traveling. Whether it’s
being able to say please and thank you or mastering essential phrases like how
to order a beer. Learning basic words is showing effort, respect, and an open
mind.
Even
though my pronunciation isn’t the best, I personally do it because I love
getting wide grins and chuckles from locals when I say something unexpected in
their language.
When
traveling in Thailand, although most people, especially those in the touristy
areas speak English, here are a few basic Thai phrases that will help you
get by.
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Basic Thai Phrases
The Rule: If you are male, you end sentences with the word
(khrup/krap) similarly if you are female, you end your sentences with the word
(ka/kap). This is used to make your sentence or question polite and respectful.
·
Hello – Sawadee khrup/ka
·
Yes – Chai (khrup/ka)
·
No – Mai (khrup/ka)
·
Maybe – Aaj ja (khrup/ka)
·
Thank you – khop khun (khrup/ka)
·
Sorry/excuse me – Khor thoad khrup/ka
·
Where is the restroom– Hong nam yoo tee nai khrup/ka?
·
I need a doctor- Phom dong gaan hai mor maa raak
sa khrup/ka
·
No worries- Mai pen rai
·
Can you speak English? = Kun pood paasaa anggrit dai mai
In
a nutshell, the Thai phrases and expressions cover the essentials to help you
travel around the country. Naturally, there are loads of other Thail words but
the ones listed above are the basics!
Basic Thai Phrases to help you when
traveling Thailand
Editor’s
Note: Mai
Pen Rai is one of my favorite Thai phrases as it’s just such a foreign concept.
Often used as a way of saying, oh well or never mind!
If
your bus broke down in the middle of the road, instead of complaining and
worrying, Thai’s would just say “mai pen rai” which means, it’s okay, don’t
worry, everything will be alright.
So
next time a Thai person gets your order wrong or accidentally bumps you while
you’re waking, just bust out these famed words, “Mai Pen Rai” and no doubt you
will get a smile and a look of surprise.
Basic Greetings in Thai
Out
of all the essentials, being able to say hello, how are yo and thank you are
non-negotiable on my list. Master these three words and you will most likely
make a friend or impress a local.
Hello
– Sawadee
khrup/ka
How
are you? –
Sa bai dee mai khrup/ka
Goodbye! – La gorn
khrup/ka
Editor’s Note: Check out our ultimate guide on Thailand Travel Tips which features the
best things to do, where to stay, and what to eat.
Basic Thai for Eating and Ordering Food
Nothing
is worse than being ridiculously hungry only to find out that your food is way
too spicy to eat. Trust me, it happens more often than you think. With that in
mind, here are a few Thai words essential for eating and ordering food.
Also,
when eating in a restaurant, it pays to compliment them by saying “aroy” for
the food as you’re about to pay. I do this all the time regardless if its a
nice restaurant or some hole in the wall street food joint. Trust me,
a small compliment goes a long way!
Not
Spicy –
Mai phet
A
little Spicy- phet
nit nawy
Really
Spicy –
phet mak
I
would like to order- sang
aa-haan
Delicious- Aroy
Editor’s Note: Looking to
discover more about Thai food? We recommend using Cookly to search for cooking classes
while in the Thailand. They are like the Airbnb of cooking classes making it
easy to book and find the perfect one for you!
Basic Thai for Shopping
That’s
expensive! –
Paeng mak khrup/ka!
How
much does this cost? –
Ra ka tao rai khrup/ka?
Can
you give me a discount please?– Ga ru na lot ra ka hai noi khrup/ka?
Basic Thai to Impress and Gain Street Cred
Neung,
song, saam, see, haa, hook, jet, baat, gow, sip (one to ten)
You
are cute – Khun
naa rak khrup/ka
I’m
drunk- Mao Laew
Having
fun? – sanuk
mai?
1.
Basic Thai phrases for greetings
2.
Basic Thai words for questions
3.
Basic Thai phrases for addressing people
4.
Basic Thai phrases for directions (taxis, buses, airport, etc.)
5.
Basic Thai phrases for shopping
7.
Basic Thai phrases for restaurants or cafes
8.
Basic Thai phrases for an emergency
9.
Thai phrases for a night out
Learning a new language is no easy task. When the new language is
Thai, the difficult task seemingly transforms into an impossible feat. Thai
grammar is relatively simple. The language is tonal, however (of which there
are five). The meaning of every word depends on how it is said. Regardless of
how easy or difficult learning a language can be, every traveller should
memorise a handful of Thai words before venturing to the Kingdom. Luckily for
you, we compiled 100 of the most basic Thai phrases that are
sure to make your life easier while travelling Thailand.
Basic Thai phrases for greetings
Basic Thai greetings are hands down the
most important of phrases visitors will want to memorise before journeying to
the Land of Smiles. Speaking of smiles, those who can say these words are
almost guaranteed to receive a smile in return to everyone they greet with
them. The small effort it takes from travellers to memorise basic greetings
goes a long way in the eyes of the locals in Thailand. Here are some of the
most basic of phrases worth remembering.
- Hello = Sawatdii
- How are you? =
Sabaaidii mai?
- I’m fine =
Sabaaidii
- I’m not well = Mai
sabaii
- I come from (America) = Pom/Chan
maa jaak (ameerigaa)
- What country are you from? = Kun maa
jaak bprateet arai?
- Thank you = Khop kun
- Sorry = Khot
hort
- No problem = Mai
bpenrai
- Goodbye = Bai
- Can you speak English? = Kun pood
paasaa anggrit dai mai
- What is your name? = Kun chuu
arai?
- My name is __ = Pŏm
/ Chán chuu __.
Basic Thai words for questions
Conversing in Thai is confusing. The
public transportation in Thailand is complicated. Thai menus are befuddling.
Regardless of what it is that has you puzzled, you are going to need to know a
few question words to clarify, well, everything.
- Where? = Tiinai?
- What? = Arai?
- When? = Muarai?
- How? =
Yangngai?
- Why? = Tum mai?
Basic Thai phrases for addressing people
How you address people in Thailand is very important. People are
addressed differently based on things like age and social rank. Addressing
someone using the incorrect term can be oftentimes considered disrespectful.
For example, addressing someone older than you with a title that is used for
someone younger than you can be considered offensive to some. Here are the
basic titles worth remembering so that this does not happen.
- I (female) = Chán
- I (male) = Pŏm
- You = Kun
- He/She/They = Kao
- Female/Male (junior) = Nong
- Female/Male (senior) = Pee
Basic Thai phrases for directions (taxis, buses, airport,
etc.)
From Bangkok, the most congested city
in the world, to island hopping in the south of Thailand, visitors are going to
be utilising more than a handful of forms of public transportation. Here, some
helpful phrases to get you from point A to point B.
- Speak slowly = Puut
chaa chaa noi
- Do you use the meter? = Chai
meter mai (Be sure taxi drivers use the meter in Bangkok!)
- Nearby = Glai
glai
- Go straight = Dtrong
bpai
- Go left = Leo saai
- Go right = Leo kwaa
- Stop = Yut
- Go to the airport = Bpai
sanam bin
- Station = Sataanii
- Bus stop = Bpaai
rot mee
- Bus = Rot mee
- Skytrain = Rodfai
faa
- Subway = Rodfai
dtaaidin
- Airplane = Kruang
bin
- Minibus = Rot dtuu
- Car = Rot
- Bicycle =
Jakgrayaan
- Motorcycle =
Moodteesai
- Boat = Rua
Basic Thai phrases for shopping
Thailand is home to an abundance of
souvenirs worth stowing away in your carry-on for the long flight home. From
night markets to luxury malls in the capital, knowing a few words in regards to
shopping will prove to be more than a little bit helpful. Also, bartering is a
must at stalls and vendors. Some Thai words will help shoppers get a better
price. Here, the most useful ones to keep in your back pocket until arriving in
the Kingdom.
- How much? = Taorai
- Very expensive = Paang
mak
- Can you reduce the price? = Lod noi
dai mai
- I want this one = Ao annii
Basic Thai numbers
Knowing a handful of numbers will
better one’s chances of getting a better price on something. Those who can tell
a merchant how much they want something to be will oftentimes get that price.
Here, the basic numbers you should know in order to save some baht.
- 1 = Nung
- 2 = Song
- 3 = Sam
- 4 = See
- 5 = Haa
- 6 = Hok
- 7 = Jet
- 8 = Bpeet
- 9 = Gaao
- 10 = Sip
- 20 = Yii sip
- 21 = Yii sip
et
- 22 = Yee sip
song
- 30 = Sam sip
- 40 = See sip
- 50 = Haa sip
- 60 = Hok sip
- 70 = Jet sip
- 80 = Bpeet
sip
- 90 = Gaao sip
- 100 = Nung
rooi
- 500 = Haa rooi
- 1,000 = Nung pan
Basic Thai phrases for restaurants or cafes
Bangkok’s caffeine scene is becoming
more popular and thriving every day. From pet cafes to speciality coffee shops,
visitors are going to want to try a cup of joe or two while travelling
Thailand. Do not even get us started on Thai cuisine, either. As one of the
most popular foodie destinations in the world, knowing these words while dining
is a must. From street-side eats to the more luxurious of dining options in the
capital, check out the most helpful phrases to utilise while chowing down in
the Kingdom.
- Restaurant = Raan
aahaan
- Café = Raan
gaafee
- Excuse me = koortoot
- Bathroom = Hongnaam
- What is this? = Annii
arai
- Hungry = Hiu
- May I have the menu = Aow
meenuu noi
- Vegetarian = Mawng sa
vee rat
- Vegan = Gin jay
- Water = Naam
- Beer = Beer
(easy, right?)
- Chicken = Gai
- Rice = Kaao
- Cold = Yen
- Hot = Rone
- No ice = Mai aow
nam khang
- No sugar = Mai aow
nam tan
- 1 more please = Khor iik
nung
- I like spicy = Chan/Pom
chawp pet
- Not spicy = Mai pet
Basic Thai phrases for an emergency
You take every precaution you could
possibly fathom and are ready for your trip to Thailand. There is seemingly
nothing that could happen that could derail your trip. All the vaccines and
mosquito repellent in the world, however, cannot determine whether an accident
may arise. In case one does, here are some phrases that will help during an
emergency.
- Hurts = Jep
- Where is the police
station? =
Sataanii dtamruat yoo tee nai
- Where is the hospital? =
Rongpayaabaan yoo tee nai
- Call an ambulance = Dahm rot
pa-ya-bahn
- I’m lost = Long
tahng
- Can you help = Choo-ay
dai mai
Thai phrases for a night out
Thailand is home to some pretty epic
nightlfe. From red light districts to nightclubs and more, you are going to
want to enjoy a drink (or two) and experience all the country has to offer after
the sun goes down. Here are some fun phrases that will come in handy on a night
out.
- Single = Bpen
soht
- Would you like a drink = Ja deum
arai mai
- I’m drunk = Mow
- Cheers = Chon
gâew
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