Thai can be quite difficult for Westerners to learn, however if you’re just visiting the country you’ll find that you really don’t need to know much Thai in order to get around. Having some knowledge of the language though will help you when it comes to meeting and interacting with Thai;s as they will really appreciate your effort to learn there language.

Thailand has its own language and alphabet which is completely different from Western languages. The Thai alphabet contains 44 consonants and 18 vowels. In addition, Thai is a tonal language with 5 different tones, meaning the same word can have 5 different meaning dependent on the tone. Believe me this can be very confusing when you are learning the language! Golf has demonstrated for me already and I’ll be damned if I can hear much difference in the tones most times and I certainly can’t reproduce them. Very funny for her and very frustrating for me.

That being said, most common words and phrases can be picked up by the Westerner and it is very appreciated by the Thai’s. Want to get a smile? Simply use some Thai phrases when you are in Thailand. Even if you mangle the pronunciation it will be appreciated and in most cases will get you a huge smile and possibly a new friend.

Here’s a great resource for Thai writing: http://www.omniglot.com/writing/thai.htm

However if you just want some basic phrases to use keep coming back here to Thailand Musings. I will try to add short lists of 5-10 words or phrases each week and if you have any questions about any of them you can certainly leave a comment and Golf can help you.

So, here’s the first of many Thai vocabulary lists:

Sawasdee – Hello

La korn – goodbye

Korp khun – thank you

Khun cheu a rai? – What is your name?

Khun pood pa sa ang krit mai? – Do you speak English?

Kor tode – excuse me

Ka rue na – please

Sa ba dee mai? – How are you?

Dee – good

Mai dee – bad

Please note also that Thai’s are very polite, especially to strangers. When speaking it is polite to add –khrab to the end of any sentence or phrase if you are a male. If you are a female you would add –kaa. So “Hello” is said like this:

Sawasdee khrab (for males)

Sawasdee kaa (for females)

Please do not forget to add these to everything you say lest the person you’re speaking to think you are rude and unthinking. Let me know if there are any words or phrases in particular you’d like to learn and I’ll be happy to include them in the next Thai vocabulary post.

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Before I go over more about those 21 consonant sounds in Thai I would like to take a break by talking about learning how to say different colors in Thai.

In Thai language we have noun, adjective, adverb, and etc. just like in English, but when we’re talking about “Adjectives in English”, adjectives nearly always appear immediately before the noun or noun phrase that they modify which is opposite of the Adjective in Thai language.

For example
Color = see (สี)
White = khaao (ขาว)
There is will be “white color” = see khaao (สีขาว)

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I’ve just gotten some really good news from one of my friends in Thailand. We had a long conversation on last Monday and I saw the pictures of her with a young cute guy. So next thing I found out was that she’s just gotten married with a guy from Switzerland, that was the cute young guy! She and I have known each other for years and years from Bangkok Nursing Home hospital (BNH), where we worked before.

The actual wedding ceremony will take place in Thailand next year. In the mean time, while they’re waiting they have to start the visa process for her to go to Switzerland.

I don’t want to think about it at all…I’ve been through this situation before myself and I know it hurts and is really painful when you have to stay away from your loved one. I feel really sorry and understand her feeling completely.

Internet and phone call are the most important way for them to use and keep their relationship going while they are apart. The choices are cut back to less choices if the Thai girl can not speak English clearly enough for the native speaker to understand. So that would make it really difficult for you to talk on the phone.

This problem happened to me long time ago, and I don’t remember when and how many times I need to ask my sweet husband to learn Thai again and again. It’s just because sometimes I feel that it’s unfair to be the one that learns English and talk to him. Ok, he said he tried to learn Thai language (but just for the common words and enough to understand when somebody tries to talk about him). He actually tried for me about couple days or so and then he just has no interest after all.

My idea is that the couples should learn to understand each other. That means they both need to learn each others language. I realized that I should do something about it. So what I am going to do is I will try to post Thai phrases on Thailandmusings.com 2-3 times a week. I don’t know that will help much at all but at least the lovers who have to suffer with the language barrier can use some of the phrases in my posts to communicate. I would be really happy if my posts will help them in their communication (at least some).

So please look forward on my posts on Thai Language coming soon…

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Lots of you come to Thailand Musings looking for Thai love phrases and that’s not surprising. You want to be able to express yourself in your new Thai girlfriends native language and that’s a really good thing. It help you to understand the culture a little better and it gives her a really good feeling too. By learning some Thai language she knows that you are more committed and that you are interested in her culture.

When Golf and I first met and started chatting on Thai Love Links I struggled to find a good resource for Thai language. I didn’t need to become proficient, but I wanted to be able to express my feelings for her in a way I knew she would understand and I wanted her to know that I cared for her so much that I was willing to take the time to learn her language.

So, for those of you that want or need to speak the language of love in Thai here’s a small dictionary of Thai love phrases that are sure to impress and excite your new Thai girlfriend. I guarantee she will be amazed and impressed. If you’re having trouble with pronunciation you can ask her for help too which will help to make your relationship more concrete.

And if you really want to impress your new friend why not give our Thai translation service a try. For a very reasonable fee Golf and I will translate your email from English to Thai or your girls email from Thai to English. In addition to being affordable we also offer 24 hour turnaround and complete privacy.

 

Beginning Your Relationship

I am single. (pom yung sot) ผมยังโสด

You are very beautiful. (koon suay mak mak) คุณสวยมากๆ

You are very cute. (koon na-ruk mak mak) คุณน่ารักมากๆ

I like your smile. (pom chorp roi yim kong koon) ผมชอบรอยยิ้มของคุณ

Can I see you tomorrow? (proong nee jer gun dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” พรุ่งนี้เจอกันได้ไหม? ได้ / ไม่ได้

Are you free tonight? (keun nee koon wang mai) – For yes the reply is “wang” and for no the reply is “mai wang” คืนนี้คุณว่างไหม? ว่าง / ไม่ว่าง

Do you like me? (koon chorp pom reu blao) – For yes the reply is “chorp” and for no the reply is “mai chorp” คุณชอบผมหรือเปล่า? ชอบ / ไม่ชอบ

Can you go out with me? (bai tee-o gup pom dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” ไปเที่ยวกับผมได้ไหม? ได้ / ไม่ได้

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? (koon mee faen reu yung) – For yes the reply is “me” and for no the reply is “yung mai mee” คุณมีแฟนหรือยัง? มี / ยังไม่มี

What kind of men do you like? (koon chorp poo-chai bap nai) คุณชอบผู้ชายแบบไหน?

Can you tell me your phone number please? (kor ber tor koon dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” ขอเบอร์โทรคุณได้ไหม? ได้ / ไม่ได้

Do you want to go and eat with me? (bai gin kao gub pom mai) – For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai” ไปกินข้าวกับผมไหม? ไป / ไม่ไป

Do you want to go to watch a movie? (bai doo nung gup pom mai) – For yes the reply is “bai” and for no the reply is “mai bai” ไปดูหนังกับผมไหม? ไป / ไม่ไป

Your eyes are so beautiful. (duang dtar kong koon suay mak) ดวงตาของคุณสวยมาก

Can I hold your hand? (pom kor jub meu koon dai mai?) ผมขอจับมือคุณได้ไหม?

Have a nice dream. (fun dee na) ฝันดีนะ

Take care of yourself. (do lae dtua eng duay na) ดูแลตัวเองด้วยนะ

Taking it to the Next Level

Love at first sight. (ruk raek pop) รักแรกพบ

I still remember the first moment we met. (pom yung jum krang-raek tee row pob gun dai) ผมยังจำครั้งแรกที่เราพบกันได้

I want you to be happy. (pom dtong gan hai koon mee kwarm sook) ผมต้องการให้คุณมีความสุข

You make me happy. (koon tam hai pom mee kwarm sook) คุณทำให้ผมมีความสุข

I miss you. (pom kit teung koon) ผมคิดถึงคุณ

I miss you all the time. (pom kit-teung koon dta-lod way-la) ผมคิดถึงคุณตลอดเวลา

Can you be my girlfriend? (ben faen gub pom dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” เป็นแฟนกับผมได้ไหม? ได้ / ไม่ได้

You are my girlfriend. (koon ben fan kong pom) คุณเป็นแฟนของผม

You are my sweetheart. (koon keu yot -ruk kong pom) คุณคือยอดรักของผม

You are the one I have been waiting for. (koon bpen kon dieow tee pom ror koi) คุณเป็นคนเดียวที่ผมรอคอย

I am serious about you. (pom jing jai gup koon) ผมจริงจังกับคุณ

I think about you all night. (pom kit teung koon tung keun) ผมคิดถึงคุณทั้งคืน

I want to meet you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak pop koon) ผมต้องการ/อยากพบคุณ

I want to hug you. (pom dtong-gan/yaak got koon) ผมต้องการ/อยากกอดคุณ

Can I kiss you? (pom kor joop koon dai mai) ผมขอจูบคุณได้ไหม

I want to be with you. (pom yaak yoo gup koon) ผมอยากอยู่กับคุณ

Do you miss me? (koon kit teung pom baang mai) คุณคิดถึงผมบ้างไหม?

I won’t forget you. (pom ja mai leum koon) ผมจะไม่ลืมคุณ

When do you want me to come back? (koon dtong gan hai pom glup ma muea rai) คุณต้องการให้ผมกลับมาเมื่อไหร่

When You’re Ready to Marry Your Thai Girlfriend

I think I have fallen in love with you. (pom kit wa pom long ruk koon) / (pom kit wa pom dtok loom ruk koon) ผมคิดว่าผมหลงรักคุณ / ผมคิดว่าผมตกหลุมรักคุณ

My heart is yours. (hua jai kong pom ben kong koon) หัวใจของผมเป็นของคุณ

You are my angel. (koon keu nung fa kong pom) คุณคือนางฟ้าของผม

I love you. (pom ruk koon) ผมรักคุณ

I will be faithful to you. (pom ja seu-sut dtor/gub koon) ผมจะซื่อสัตย์ต่อ/กับคุณ

I don’t want to let you go. (pom mai dtong-gan hai koon bai) ผมไม่ต้องการให้คุณไป

Can I meet your parents? (pom ja bai pob por gub mae kong koon dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” ผมจะไปพบพ่อกับแม่ของคุณได้ไหม? ได้ / ไม่ได้

I want to see your face every day. (pom yaak hen na koon took wan) ผมอยากเห็นหน้าคุณทุกวัน

I want to marry you. (pom dtong-gan dtang ngan gub koon) ผมต้องการแต่งงานกับคุณ

I can’t live without you. (pom yoo mai dai ta mai mee koon) ผมอยู่ไม่ได้ถ้าไม่มีคุณ

If There’s Trouble

I hope I can see you again. (pom wang wa ja dai pob koon eek-krang) ผมหว้งว่าจะได้พบคุณอีกครั้ง

Can you give me one more chance? (hai aow-gat pom eek-krang dai mai) – For yes the reply is “dai” and for no the reply is “mai dai” ให้โอกาสผมอีกครั้งได้ไหม? ได้ / ไม่ได้

I will never cheat on you (pom ja mai nork jai koon) ผมจะไม่นอกใจคุณ

Your love is very important to me. (kwarm ruk kong koon sam kun dtor/sam-rap pom mak) ความรักของคุณสำคัญต่อ/สำหรับผมมาก

Please speak to me. (dai brot poot gup pom) ได้โปรดพูดกับผม

You hurt me so much. (koon tam pom jep-bpuat mak) คุณทำผมเจ็บปวดมาก

Please trust me. (brot chuea jai pom) โปรดเชื่อใจผม

I want you to trust me. (pom dtong gan hai koon chuea jai pom) ผมต้องการให้คุณเชื่อใจผม

I never lied to you. (pom mai koie gor hok koon) ผมไม่เคยโกหกคุณ

Don’t leave me. (ya ting pom) อย่าทิ้งผม

I will always be on your side. (pom ja yoo kiang-kang koon sa-mer) ผมจะอยู่เคียงข้างคุณเสมอ

Obviously this is not complete, but it will give you a great start and if possible get your Thai girlfriend to help you expand on your vocabulary. If you’re interested in more Thai language guides leave a comment telling me what you need to know and I’ll do my best to put together additional guides. And if you want to hear the phrases maybe I can get Golf to record them and we’ll post them up here. As always, I’m here to help in anyway, just leave a comment and ask.

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