Thai Language Glossary

Essential Thai words and phrases for travellers, with pronunciation guides and usage notes.

Tones Matter

Thai is a tonal language with 5 tones. The same syllable with different tones means different things. For basic travel, getting the romanised pronunciation roughly right is enough — Thais appreciate any attempt and will understand context. The polite particles khrap (men) and kha (women) do more for you than perfect pronunciation.

Greetings & Basics

Thai Script	Pronunciation	Meaning	Notes
สวัสดี	Sawadee (khrap/kha)	Hello / Goodbye	Universal greeting, works any time of day
ขอบคุณ	Khop khun (khrap/kha)	Thank you	Add khrap (male) or kha (female) to be polite
ใช่	Chai	Yes	Means 'correct' or 'that's right'
ไม่ใช่	Mai chai	No / Not correct	Mai = not/no prefix
ขอโทษ	Kho thot	Sorry / Excuse me	Use to get attention or apologise
ไม่เป็นไร	Mai pen rai	No problem / It's fine	Thailand's most iconic phrase — relax, don't worry
เข้าใจไหม	Khao jai mai?	Do you understand?	Khao jai alone = 'I understand'

Polite Particles

Thai Script	Pronunciation	Meaning	Notes
ครับ	Khrap	Polite particle (male)	Add to end of sentences when male speaker — crucial for politeness
ค่ะ / คะ	Kha / Ka	Polite particle (female)	Kha (falling tone) for statements, Ka (neutral) for questions
นะ	Na	Softener	Makes requests and statements friendlier, less abrupt

Numbers 1–10

Thai Script	Pronunciation	Meaning	Notes
หนึ่ง / สอง / สาม	Neung / Song / Sam	1 / 2 / 3
สี่ / ห้า / หก	Si / Ha / Hok	4 / 5 / 6
เจ็ด / แปด / เก้า / สิบ	Jet / Paet / Kao / Sip	7 / 8 / 9 / 10	Sip song = 12, Sao = 20

Food & Ordering

Thai Script	Pronunciation	Meaning	Notes
ข้าว	Khao	Rice	The word for rice is also the word for 'food' colloquially
ไม่เผ็ด	Mai phet	Not spicy	Essential phrase — Thai spicy is often extremely hot
อร่อย	Aroi	Delicious	High compliment to a cook
น้ำ	Nam	Water	Nam yen = cold water, nam ron = hot water
เบียร์	Bia	Beer	Chang, Singha, Leo are the main local brands
เท่าไหร่	Thao rai?	How much?	Essential for markets and street food
เก็บเงินด้วย	Gep ngern duay	Bill please / Check please	Or mime writing on your hand
มังสวิรัติ	Mang-sa-wi-rat	Vegetarian	Kin jay = eating vegan/no meat

Transport & Directions

Thai Script	Pronunciation	Meaning	Notes
ไป	Pai	Go to	Pai [place name] = I want to go to [place]
ซ้าย / ขวา	Sai / Khwa	Left / Right
ตรงไป	Trong pai	Straight ahead
หยุด	Yut	Stop	Say this to the driver
สถานี	Sa-tha-ni	Station	BTS/MRT station, bus station
ท่าเรือ	Tha ruea	Pier / Boat terminal

Shopping & Money

Thai Script	Pronunciation	Meaning	Notes
ลดราคาได้ไหม	Lot rakha dai mai?	Can you reduce the price?	Bargaining opener for markets — not for malls
แพงเกินไป	Phaeng gern pai	Too expensive	Body language helps here
ต้องการ	Tong karn	Want / Need	Tong karn [item] = I want [item]
บาท	Baht	Thai currency unit	THB, pronounced 'baht'

Emergency Phrases

Thai Script	Pronunciation	Meaning	Notes
ช่วยด้วย	Chuay duay!	Help!	Shout if in danger
โทรตำรวจ	Tho tamruat	Call the police	Police number: 191
โรงพยาบาล	Rong phayaban	Hospital	Ambulance: 1669
หมอ	Mo	Doctor
ฉันป่วย	Chan puay	I am sick	Chan = I (female), Phom = I (male)