Essential Thai Phrases For Starters
Living in Thailand or visiting as a traveler? Whether you're settling in as an expat or exploring the country as a tourist, knowing a few key Thai phrases can make your daily life much easier. While mastering the Thai language takes time, these essential phrases will help you navigate everyday situations, from greetings to ordering food and getting around.
Greetings and Polite Phrases Basic Thai Phrases Good to know... Food and Dining Vocabulary Love & Dating Shopping Numbers & Days
This guide focuses on practical Thai phrases that will be incredibly useful for daily interactions in Thailand. If you're looking to fully learn the language, we recommend enrolling in a local language school or exploring online courses. However, these must-know phrases will give you the foundation to confidently communicate and immerse yourself in Thai culture during your stay.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the essential Thai phrases every expat and traveler needs to know!
Understanding "Khrap" (ครับ) and "Kha" (ค่ะ) – Thai Politeness Markers
In Thai, politeness is very important, and one of the easiest ways to sound more respectful is by adding "khrap" (ครับ) or "kha" (ค่ะ) at the end of sentences. "Khrap" (ครับ) – Used by men "Kha" (ค่ะ) – Used by women
Greetings and Polite Phrases
Hello
Sa wat dee khrap/kha
How are you?
Sabai dee mái?
I'm fine
Sabai dee
Good night
Râa-trii sà-wàt or láp fan dii
My name is John
Phǒm chûue John khrap
What is your name?
Khun chûue à-rai?
Nice to meet you
Yindi thîi dâai rúu jàk (khrap/kha)
Have you eaten yet?
Gin kâo rái rùu yà?
See you
Jà rái gan
Thank you
Khob khun khrap/kha
Basic Thai Phrases
Yes
Chai
No / No thanks
Mâi / Mâi khrap/kha
No, it’s not
Mâi chai
Can
Dâai
Can't
Mâi dâai
Never mind / No problem, It's okay, you're welcome
Mâi pen rai
Sorry
Khor thot khrap/kha!
What are you doing?
Tam à-rai yùu?
Why?
Tam mai?
I don't know
Mâi ru
I did not understand
Mâi kâo jai
Having fun?
Sanuk mái?
Seriously! Really!
Jin Jin!
What? What did you say? Seriously?
À-rai ná?
I can't speak Thai
Phûut Thai mâi dâa
The same as before please
Mʉan doem khrap/kha
Very good
Dii mâak
Toilet
Hong nam
Good to know...
Question
Mái
Negation
Mâi
New
Mài
Wood (or stick)
Mai
I / Me (male speaker)
Phŏm
I / Me (female speaker)
Chăn
Want / Take
Ao
Food and Dining Vocabulary
Very delicious
Aroi mâak
Hungry
Hiu
Full
Im
Not spicy
Mai phet
Spicy
Phet
Noodles
Guai tiew
Sweet
Waan
Chicken
Gài
Pork
Moo
Beef
Nuea
Fish
Plaa
Seafood
Ahaan thale
Crab
Poo
Water (still)
Nám plào
Rice
Khao
Sticky rice
Khao niao
Egg
Khai
Fishball
Lûuk chîn bplaa
Hot tea
Chaa rón
Ice
Nam khàeng
Spicy fish sauce
Phrík nám plà
No coriander
Mâi ao phàkchii kráp/kha
Grilled pork on a stick
Moo Ping
Offal
Krêuang nai
Check, please.
Check bin khrap/kha (Khit ngern duay)
Love & Dating
I fell in love with you
phŏm/chăn tòk-lŭm rák khun
Love
Rák
Beautiful (very)
Sŭay (maak)
What are you looking for?
Khun gamlang mông hăa sìng nà?
Cute
Nà rák
You are very charming or You are very attractive
Khun mee sà•nèa mâak
Girlfriend / Boyfriend
Faaen
Handsome
Lòr
Kiss Kiss
Júp Júp
Can we meet?
Rao jer gan dâi mái?
I want to be with you
Phǒm/chǎn yàak yùu gàp khun
Do you have a boyfriend / girlfriend?
Mee faaen mai?
Darling
Thîi rák
Seetheart
Wǎan jai
Pîi / Nóng Mint
Older / Younger Partner
Shopping
How much?
Tâo rài?
I don’t want.
Mái ao.
Too expensive.
Paaeng gern bpai.
Cheap!
Tùuk!
Can you give me a discount?
Lót nàwy dâi mái?
I think about it.
Kít duu gàawn.
I’ll take it.
Ao an née.
Do you have any cheaper ones?
Mee an tòok gwàa née mái?
Can you wrap it?
Cháo láai mái?
Where is the fitting room?
Hông long chút yùu thîi nàai?
Too small
Lék gern bpai
Too big
Yài gern bpai
Just right
Phó dee
Numbers & Days
0
suun
1
nüeng
2
soong
3
saam
4
see
5
haa
6
ho(k)
7
Jèd
8
bääd
9
gao
10
sip
11
sip et
12
sip soong
20
yee sip
30
saam sip
100
roi
1000
phan
10000
mmen
100000
saen
1000000
laan
Sunday
wan aa tit
Monday
wan jan
Tuesday
wan ang kaan
Wednesday
wan put
Thursday
wan pa reu hat
Friday
wan suk
Saturday
wan sao
If you want to learn more Thai words daily, check out these Instagram accounts:
- @talkthaiwithsai_ (Talk Thai With Sai)
- @papino_th (Akrawin Thaodon)
- @thaiwithfah (Thai Teacher Fah)
- @jum_thitapa (Thitapa Kwangsanit)
- @namwan.teachingthai (Namwan)
They share great tips to help you improve your Thai! 🇹🇭✨
