It is good to learn some basic and simple Thai words and phrases. Although it’s not a must for you to learn, it definitely helps know the language as it helps you to communicate with the locals easily. The basic topics covered are:
- Greetings
- Directions
- Shopping
- Ordering Food
- Numbers
- Colours
Greetings
English | Thai |
Hello | sa wat dee |
Goodbye | lah gorn |
Please | kor |
Thank You | khob khun |
Yes | chai |
No | mai chai |
Excuse me / sorry | kor toht |
I don’t understand | mai kow jai |
Why | tam mai |
What | arai |
Never mind / it’s ok | mai bhen rai |
Can | dai |
Cant | mai dai |
Don’t want | mai ow |
Directions
English | Thai |
Go to MBK (male/female) | bai MBK (krab/ka) |
if taxi quotes you price, reject by saying “No” | mai ao |
On Meter | chuay chai meter |
Turn Left | liao saai |
Turn Right | liao kwaa |
Go Straight | dtrong bpai |
Turn Left and Go Straight | liao saai leaw-gaw dtrong bpai |
U-turn | glap rot |
Stop Here | jort tii nii |
How Much | tao rai |
Shopping
English | Thai |
How much is this? | an nii tao rai? |
That’s too expensive | paeng bai |
Can I have a discount? | lot noi dai mai? |
XX baht, possible? | XX dai mai? |
Can I have a look? | khor doo dai mai |
I’m just taking a look | khor doo thao nun |
Do you have something bigger (smaller)? | mee yai (lek) gwar mai |
Do you have XX colour? | mee sii XX mai? |
Never mind, it’s ok. | mai bhen rai |
Ordering
English | Thai |
Ice | naam keng |
Hot | ron |
Cold | nao |
Don’t want spicy | mai ped |
Calling waiter | pii (older), nong (younger) |
Can I have the bill please | check bin / geb dang |
Delicious | aroi |
Numbers
English | Thai |
0 | soon |
1 | nueng |
2 | song |
3 | saam |
4 | see |
5 | har |
6 | hok |
7 | jed |
8 | paed |
9 | gao |
10 | sib |
11 | sib-ed |
12 | sib-song |
20 | yee-sib |
30 | saam-sib |
100 | nueng-roi |
1000 | nueng-parn |
Colours
English | Thai |
Colour | sii |
White | kaao |
Black | dam |
Blue | faa |
Red | daeng |
Pink | chom-puu |
Yellow | lueang |
Green | kiao |
Orange | saed |