Thai Phrases Transliterated
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.
Go back to Speaking Thai
Reminders for
Tones(h) = high
(r) = rising
(none) = neutral
(l) = low
(f) = falling
Consonant Sounds
Vowel Sounds
Phonetic Sounds of Consonants b as in bell l as in lock bp as in * m as in made ch as in chair n as in nut d as in duck ng as in ri(ng) dt as in * p(a) as in put f as in food r as in red g as in get s as in sit h as in help t(a) as in tip j as in job w as in wet k(a) as in kite y as in (y)es * = no English equivalent
(a) = consonant is "aspirated"
". . . " When you see ... before or after a phrase in the table below, it indicates that a personal pronoun or a gender specific "polite word" should also be used.
"Polite words" 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.
Phonetic Sounds of Vowels a, ah as in father ao, ow as in chow aa as in sand aw as in crawl ai, i, y as in lie, by
| Phrase | Transliteration |
| I, me | (r)pohm! formal for male (r)dichahn! formal for female |
| You | koon! polite (f)than very respectful |
| Hello or goodbye (any time of day) | sa-wat! dee followed by polite word (h)krahp! or ka! |
| Thank you | (l)kawp koon! (h)krahp!/ka! |
| Never mind or you're welcome (f)my! bpen! ry!" is used in many contexts including forgiveness. | (f)my! bpen! ry! ... |
| Excuse me or I'm sorry | (r)kaw (f)toht ... |
| How are you? | sa-by dee (r)reu ... |
| I am fine, thanks | (r)phom!/(r)chahn! sa-by dee ... |
| Good Luck | (f)chohk dee ... |
| Do you speak English? | koon! (f)poot! pah-(r)sah ahng!-(l)grit! (f)dy! (r)my!... |
| I speak Thai a little bit 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" | ... (f)poot! pah-(r)sah ty (f)dy! (h)nit!-(l)nawy ... |
| I cannot speak Thai | ... (f)poot! pah-(r)sah ty (f)my! (f)dy! ... |
| Please (Kindly) speak more slowly | ga-roo!-nah! (f)poot! (h)chah (chah) ... |
| I don't understand | ... (f)kow!-jy! (f)my! (f)dy! ... |
| Do you understand? | koon! (f)kow!-jy! (f)dy! (r)my! ... |
| Where is the toilet? | (f)hawng!-(h)nahm (l)yoo (f)tee (r)ny! ... |
| Where is a telephone? | toh-ra-(l)sahp! (l)yoo (f)tee (r)ny! ... |
| I like Thaland very much? | ... (f)chawp bpra-(f)tet ty (f)mahk (f)mahk ... |
| What is your name? | koon! (f)cheu ah!-ry! ... |
| My name is ... | ... (f)cheu ... |
| I want ... | ... ow! ... |
| I do not want ... | ... (f)my ow! ... |
More phrases about ... shopping ... food ... emergency, locations and directions
Tips & Info