Description:
This lesson is your first introduction to Thai Language. We will start at the beginning, with saying a polite "Hello", as well as your first full sentence: "I have a pen." After you study the notes below, click on the tabs above to proceed.
Grammar Notes:
There are many differences between Thai and English. This lesson looks at one of the most obvious ones -- the polite words kâ and kráp that are found at the ends of most Thai sentences. These words have no direct translation into English, but are only there to make the sentence sound polite to the listener.
For example, to say a polite "hello", you would say sà-wàt-dee kráp if you are male and sà-wàt-dee kâ if you are female.
The only difference is that if a female is asking a question, she will say ká at the end of the question. Note that this is a very similar word, but the tone mark above it is different. ( ká vs kâ ) You will have a chance to listen to the differences in the "Word Review" tab at the top of this page.
Another thing to note on this lesson is the meaning of mâi þen rai which we translate as "no problem" as a response to someone thanking you. But actually this phrase has a much broader use and meaning. For example, depending on the situation, you can translate it as: it doesn't matter, never mind, you're welcome, don't mention it, it's no big deal, no worries, etc. In Thailand you'll hear this phrase a lot, as it's a great way to sum up the easy-going attitude of most Thai people.
Word List:
| English |
Phonetic |
Thai |
| hello |
sà-wàt-dee |
สวัสดี |
| thank you |
kàwp kun |
ขอบคุณ |
| no problem |
mâi þen rai |
ไม่เป็นไร |
| polite masculine word |
kráp |
ครับ |
| polite feminine word |
kâ |
ค่ะ |
| you (singular) |
kun |
คุณ |
| I (f.) |
dì-chǎn |
ดิฉัน |
| polite feminine question word |
ká |
คะ |
| I (m.) |
pǒm |
ผม |
|
