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 | ||
| How much is this/what is the price | (f)nee (f)tao!-(l)ry! (h)krahp!/ka! | ||
| That's very expensive | paang (f)mahk | ||
| Can you reduce the price? | ...(h)lot! ra-kah (l)dy! (r)my!... | ||
| I will offer you xxx baht. | ... (l)sa!-(r)noo ra-kah xxx baht | ||
| I don't want it. | ... (f)my ow! ... | ||
| Do you have a cheaper one than this? | ... mee (l)took (l)gwah (n)nee (r)my ... | ||
| I want it. | ... ow! ... | ||
|
Thai Numbers | |||
| Number | Transliteration | Number | Transliteration |
| 0 | (r)soon | 21 | *(f)yee-(l)sip!-(l)eht! |
| 1 | (l)neung! | 22 and etc. | (f)yee-(l)sip!-(r)sawng |
| 2 | (r)sawng | 30 | (r)sahm-(l)sip! |
| 3 | (r)sahm | 40 | (l)see-(l)sip! |
| 4 | (l)see | 50 | (f)hah-(l)sip! |
| 5 | (f)hah | 60 | (l)hohk!-(l)sip! |
| 6 | (l)hohk! | 70 | (l)jet!-(l)sip! |
| 7 | (l)jet! | 80 | (l)bpaat-(l)sip! |
| 8 | (l)bpaat | 90 | (f)gow-(l)sip! |
| 9 | (f)gow | 100 | (l)neung!-(h)rawy |
| 10 | (l)sip! | 200 | (r)sawng-(h)rawy |
| 11 | (l)sip!-eht! | 250 | (r)sawng-(h)rawy-(f)hah-(l)sip! |
| 12 | (l)sip!-(r)sawng | 1,000 | (l)neung!-pahn! |
| 13 | (l)sip!-(r)sahm | 1,200 | (l)neung!-pahn!-(r)sawng-(h)rawy |
| 14 | (l)sip!-(l)see | 10,000 | (l)neung!-(l)meun |
| 15 | (l)sip!-(f)hah | 20,000 | (r)sawng-(l)meun |
| 16 | (l)sip!-(l)hohk! | 100,000 | (l)neung!-(r)saan |
| 17 | (l)sip!-(l)jet! | 1,000,000 | (l)neung!-(h)lahn |
| 18 | (l)sip!-(l)bpaat | (*) ... (l)eht! is the form for 11, 21, 31, 41, etc. | |
| 19 | (l)sip!-(f)gow | ||
| 20 | (f)yee-(l)sip! | ||
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"
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"
