Essential Thai Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases.
All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get
what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Thai words and phrases you need
to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum.
If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases,
Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ... The Top 10 ... There are 5 tones: ā indicates a high (and level) tone á indicates a rising tone a indicates a mid (and level) tone à indicates a falling tone a indicates a low (and level) tone ae indicates an open e (e as in pet) (ɛ) eu indicates a u sound with the lips unrounded (ɯ) oe indicates ur as in burn with the lips unrounded (ɤ) h lengthens the vowel Please note: Men use phóm for I or me. Women use di-chán for I or me. The word khrāp at the end of a sentence adds politeness for a man. The word khà at the end of a sentence adds politeness for a woman. Use khā at the end of a question. Khrāp/khà can also mean yes when used alone.
	Sawāt-dii khrāp/khà. Hello. Laa kawn. (by the person leaving) Chòhk dii. (by the person staying) Goodbye. Khun phùut phaasáa angkrit dài mái? Do you speak English? Mài khào jai. I don't understand. Nīt nawy. A little. Chài. Mài (mii). Yes. No. Thào rai? How much is it? Phaeng pai. Tok long. Too expensive. OK. Kawrūnaa. Please. Khāwp khun (màak) khrāp/khà. Thank you (very much).
Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions. The Top 20 ...
	Khun chèu arai khrāp/khā? What is your name? Phóm/di-chán chèu ... My name is ... Sabaai-dii réu khrāp/khā? How are you? Sabaai-dii. Lāē khun lā? Fine. And you? ... yuu thìi nái? Where is ...? Hàwng nāām yuu thìi nái? Phùu chai/Phùu yíng Where is the toilet? Men/Women Kháw thóht. Sorry. Excuse me. Mài pen rai. Mài mii panháa. No problem. Phóm/di-chán ao ... I want ... Phóm/di-chán mà ao ... I don't want ...
Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around. The Top 30 ...
	Maa jaak thìi nái khrāp/khā? Where are you from? Phóm/di-chán maa jaak awsatrehlia.* I am from Australia. Kháw bin. The bill, please. Phóm/di-chán lòng thaang. I am lost. Jawt! Raw! Stop! Wait! Thìi nìi, thìi nàn. Here, there. Thāeksìi. Rohng raehm. Sanáam bin. Satháa-nii. Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station. Phóm/di-chán chàwp ... I like ... Phóm/di-chán mài chàwp ... I don't like ... neung, sáwng, sáam, sii, hàa. one, two , three, four, five. hok, jet, paet, kào, sip. àp six, seven, eight, nine, ten. *Or choose your country: amerikaa - America khaenaadaa - Canada angkrit - England ailaehn - Ireland niwsiilaehn - New Zealand
Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies. Useful extras ...
	Chai yoh! Cheers! dii / mài dii good / bad yai / lēk big / small klài / klai near / far nāwy kwaa / màak kwaa less / more iik an neung / phaw another one / enough Phóm/di-chán kin mangsawīrāt. Phóm/di-chán kin jeh. I am vegetarian. Phóm/di-chán mài kin nēūa sat. I don't eat meat. ... kai. ... chicken. ... plaa. ... fish. Phóm/di-chán phāē thua līsóng lāē mēt mā-mùang. I am allergic to nuts. ... thua līsóng. ... peanuts. ... plaa. ... fish. ... aaháan thaleh. ... seafood. ... khai. ... eggs.