Stress is placed on syllables differently in Thai than in English. In a multi syllabic word, it is often the second syllable that gets the stress (but not always). So when in doubt, stress all syllables equally.Tones (h),(l),(r),(f) review
"Polite words" are used at the ends of sentences. A man will use "(h)krahp!", while a woman will use "ka!". Note the high tone versus the neutral tone.
Reminders for Tones Consonant Sounds Vowel Sounds Notes
A ... before or after a phrase indicates a personal pronoun or a gender specific "polite word" should also be used.
| Phrase | Transliteration | ||
| Help! | (l)choo-ay (l)doo-ay | ||
| I need a doctor. | ... (f)dtawng gahn (r)maw rahk-saa ... | ||
| Where is a hospital? | rong pa-ya-bahn (l)yoo (f)tee-(r)ny! ... | ||
| Police station. | sa-(r)tah-nee dtahm!(l)roo-ut | ||
| Danger! | ahn!-dta-ry | ||
| Places | |||
| Station, as in Police Station | sa-(r)tah-nee | ||
| Bus Station | sa-(r)tah-nee (r)roht!-meh | ||
| Train Station | sa-(r)tah-nee (r)roht!-fy! | ||
| Airport | sa-(r)nahm bin! | ||
| Embassy ... (nationality) | sa-(r)tahn (f)toot | ||
| Hotel | rohng raam | ||
| Post Office | bpry!-sa-nee | ||
| Toilet | (f)hawng! (h)nahm | ||
| Telephone | toh-ra-(l)sahp! | ||
| Directions | |||
| Stop, Stop here | (l)yoot! ..., (l)yoot! (f)tee (f)nee ... | ||
| Slow, Slowly, Slower | (h)chah ..., (h)chah-(h)chah ..., (h)chah-(h)chah-(l)gwah ... | ||
| Turn left, Turn Right | (h)lee-oh (h)sy ..., (h)lee-oh (r)kwah ... | ||
| Straight ahead | dtrohng! bpy! ... | ||
| Be Careful | ra-wahng! | ||
|
More phrases about ... shopping ... food ... emergency, locations and directions | |||
Notes:
1- "(f)my! bpen! ry!" is used in many contexts including forgiveness.
2- Saying that you speak Thai a little can allow the listener to assume you actually speak quite a lot of Thai. It is often better to say in Thai, "I don't speak Thai"
