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Learn Basic Thai Before You Travel to Thailand

Before you travel to Thailand, it is a smart idea to learn some basic Thai words and phrases. (Even if you are not going to Thailand any time soon, wouldn't it be cool to know how to say a few phrases in a foreign language?) Most people in Thailand don't speak much English, except in Bangkok and some big cities. By knowing how to say some simple Thai phrases, you can make friends with the local people, make your trip easier without having to depend on an interpreter and perhaps help yourself bargain for stuff more successfully.

Bangkok at Night

Democracy Monument, Bangkok

Democracy Monument Bangkok

Greetings and some other simple phrases

Hello = Sawaddee

The word "sawaddee" is like "Ciao" in Italian. We use it to say both hello and goodbye.

How are you? = Sabai dee mai

I'm fine. = Sabai dee

I'm not feeling well. = Chan mai sabai

Thank you = Kob kun ("u" in "kun" is pronounced "oo" as in "foot")

I'm sorry. = Kaw tode

Never mind./You're welcome. = Mai pen rai

My name is.... = Chan cheu...

What's your name? = Kun cheu arai

Nice to meet you. = Yin dee tee dai rue juk

Yes = Chai

No = Mai chai

If you want to sound extra polite, you can do so by adding a modifier at the end of each phrase or sentence. If you are a man, say "krub". And if you are a woman, say "Ka". For example, to say hello in a very polite way, a male speaker can say "Sawaddee krub" and a female speaker can say "Sawaddee ka".

A Hardworking Monkey on Samui Island

Floating Market

Floating Market Thailand

Numbers

1 = neung

2 = song

3 = sam

4 = see

5 = ha

6 = hok

7 = jed

8 = pad

9 = kao

10 = sip

11 = sip-ed

12 = sip-song

20 = ye-sip

21 = ye-sip-ed

22 = ye sip song

30 = sam-sip

100 = neung-roy

1000 = neung-pun

10,000= neung meun

100,000= neung san

1,000,000= neung-lan

Shopping

How much is this? = Nee tow rai

How much is that? = Nan tow rai

Can you lower the price? = Lod raka dai mai (Whenever you say this, it's a very good idea to also say "krub" or "ka".)

Do you have a bigger one? = Mee tua yai kwa nee mai

Do you have a smaller one? = Mee tua lek kwa nee mai

It's a bit too expensive. = Pang pai noy

I really like it. = Chob maak

Expressing Your Feelings

I like....= Chan chob...

I don't like...= Chan mai chob...

I'm having fun. = Sanook mak

I'm hot. = Chan ron

I'm cold. = Chan now

I'm hungry. = Chan hew

I'm full. = Chan im

I want to eat...= Chan yak gin... ("g" in the word "gin" here is pronounced "g" as in "gain", not "j" as in "jeans")

I want to go to...= Chan yak pai...

I've got a headache. = Chan puad hua

I've got a stomachache. = Chan puad tong

I like Thailand. = Chan chob muang thai

I like Thai people. = Chan chob kon thai

I don't want to go back home. = Chan mai yak klub baan

http://om-paramapoonya.hubpages.com/hub/speak-thai