Thai words for Travelers
Thai is a quite complicated language for us travelers. First of all, Thai alphabet has nothing in common with Latin alphabet. Secondly, the words are written without leaving the space between one word and another. And finally, it is also complicated phonetically because Thai has 5 different tones, neither more nor less. And depending on the tone you say a word, it can mean one or another thing.
While traveling to Thailand, the fact of knowing a few Thai words can change our experience as a traveler drastically. It will help us to socialize better with people and to make them smile in any situation that comes our way. On the other hand, it can also help us to get rid of scammers or people who want to take money out of us.
Remember that Thais end the sentences with “Ka” if a woman speaks or “Kap” if the speaker is a man. For example, “hello” in Thai is “sawadee”, and if you are a man you should greet saying “sawadee kap”. But if you are a woman, you will greet saying “sawadee ka”.
Check out Thai words below that will be useful while your Thailand vacation:
Hello: sawadee (kap/ka)
Goodbye: larg gorn
How are you?: savai dee mai?
Thank you: kop kun (kap/ka)
Please: ga ru nah
Sorry: hot tot (kap/ka)
Excuse me: pii (kap/ka)
Yes: chai
No: mai chai
Numbers: 1 Ngn, 2 Song, 3 Sam, 4 Si, 5 Ja, 6 Hok, 7 Jet, 8 Pet, 9 Kao, 10 Sip
Foreigner: farang
I’m from …: Pom(man)/Dichan(woman) maa jaak …
I like: Chob Kap/ka
I don’t like: Mai Chop (kap/ka)
The bill, please: Check bin (kap/ka)
Begpacker: kii nook
Cheapskate: kii niao
Womanizer and lier: You jao shu to lee
Asshole, jerk: nam yai
Komodo dragon: HIA (serious insult for Thai people)
Go to hell: Taii lot
Very drunk: Mao mak mak
I’m bored: Ko bua loi
What’s up: Alai
It’s ok: Mai mi alai
No problem: mai pen rai
He knows but doesn’t want to tell you: mai bok
Well, this is just some of the Thai words that I hope can be useful for you.
Know more Thai words to add to this list? Leave a comment and I will include it.
Since I was 7 years-old little girl I went for my first trip to abroad which made me fall in love with traveling and made it my passion for all my life. I like to discover different cultures, people, the way they look and behave according to their traditions, new places and incredible views, new food, and new flavors. And I want to share my discovers with you here in my blog. In addition to it, I'll give you the tips how to make your trip a "varied experience" and how to travel in a cheaper way.
Let's discover the world together 😉
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