If you’re visiting Thailand 🇹🇭 or just starting to learn the language, knowing a few basic Thai phrases can go a long way in making your experience more enjoyable. Here’s a list of essential Thai phrases to help you get started.
Greetings and Basic Phrases
- Hello – สวัสดี (Sawasdee)
- Male speaker: Sawasdee khráp (สวัสดี ครับ)
- Female speaker: Sawasdee kâ (สวัสดี ค่ะ)
- How are you? – เป็นไงไม่ (Pen ngai mai?)
- I’m fine, thank you – เป็นได้ดี ขอบคุณ (Pen dai dee khâ/khráp)
- What’s your name? – คุณชื่ออะไร (Khun chue arai?)
- My name is… – ข้องฉันชื่อ… (Phom/Chan chue …)
- Nice to meet you – ยินดีที่ได้พบ (Yin dee tee dai ruu jak)
- Thank you – ขอบคุณ (Khop khun)
- Male speaker: Khop khun khráp (ขอบคุณ ครับ)
- Female speaker: Khop khun kâ (ขอบคุณ ค่ะ)
- Sorry/Excuse me – ขโทษ (Khot hod)
- Yes – ใช่ (Chai)
- No – ไม่ (Mai chai)
Essential Travel Phrases
- Where is the bathroom? – ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหน (Hong nam yoo tee nai?)
- How much does this cost? – เท่าไร (Tao rai?)
- I want this one – อันนี้ (Ao an nee)
- I don’t understand – ข้อโทษใจไม่ได้ (Khor thod, mai khao jai)
- Can you speak English? – คุณเสื่อแองกฤษได้มั้ย? (Khun pood pasa angkrit dai mai?)
Ordering Food
- I’d like to order… – ขอสั่ง (Khor sang…)
- Not spicy, please – ไม่เพ็ด (Mai phed)
- A little spicy – เพ็ดหน่อย (Phed noi)
- Very spicy! – เพ็ดมาก! (Phed mak!)
- Delicious – อร่อย (Aroi)
- Check, please – เช็คเบิ้ล (Check bin)
Transportation and Directions
- Where is…? – ที่ไหน (Tee nai?)
- Go straight – ไปตรง (Bai trong)
- Turn left – เลี้ยวซ้าย (Leeow sai)
- Turn right – เลี้ยวขวา (Leeow kwa)
- Stop here – จอดที่นี่ (Jod tee nee)
Thai Fonts and Their Variants
While learning Thai, you’ll notice that fonts can vary. Some modern fonts, like Noto Sans Thai, use a loopless variant that’s simpler and easier to read, especially in mobile apps like Grab.
For example, the sentence “จักจั่นจ้องจับจุดจรดจิตใจ” (Ják ján jɔ̂ŋ jàp jùt jòt jìt jai) looks different in loopless fonts, offering a cleaner, more modern appearance.
Extra Resources
I’d also recommend thai-notes.com, the Ling app2 and Wikipedia3, as additional resources on learning Thai online. In addition to these, Bangkok has several excellent language schools, such as AUA Thai, and Duke Language School, which offer structured courses for all levels.
For typing Thai, you can enable the Thai language in language settings (Windows or Mac). Here is a Thai Kedmanee keyboard layout:4
Conclusion
Learning a few basic Thai phrases can help you navigate daily interactions with ease and show respect for the local culture. Whether you’re greeting someone, or asking for directions, these simple phrases will make your time in Thailand much more enjoyable.
Do you have a favorite Thai phrase or a phrase you’d like to learn? Let us know in the comments!
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