Speaking the Language in Thailand

Sawadee Krup everyone!

With just five weeks until some of you depart, I figured it was time for a Thai language lesson. The first thing to know is that when you are in Thailand, almost everyone you encounter will understand quite a bit of English and most of the people will speak some English also, so speaking Thai is not essential to traveling through in Thailand. Speaking some Thai does ‘enhance’ the experience you will have by creating a friendlier atmosphere with the local people through your interaction with them, so it is good to learn a few helpful words and phrases.

The Thai language is a tonal language, meaning one word can be pronounced with five different “tones” to have five different meanings. Also in the Thai language there is a special word used by men and women that is used at the end of each sentence or phrase as a polite ending. These are “Ka” for women, and “Krup” for men. Women and men would add these words to any sentence or phrase at the end. For example with the Thai greeting: used for both Hello and Goodbye, which is Sawadee (Suh-wa-dee) – a man would actually say: “Sawadee krup” and a woman would say: “Sawadee ka” to anyone that they wanted to greet.

The basic Thai greeting of Sawadee can be used whenever you encounter or want to greet someone new. The next phrase most travelers want to learn is “Thank you.” This is said in Thai as: Khop khun (cop coon). Again, added after the phrase would be the polite ending word of krup for men and ka for women, making it Khop khun krup for me to say Thank you in Thai.

Another nice phrase to know for pleasant exchanges with locals is the combination phrases of: How are you? and I am fine. These two phrases are: Sabai dee mai? (suh-bye-dee mye) which is How are you? and Sabai dee. (suh-bye dee) which is I am fine. Learning these three phrases: Hello or Sawadee krup/ka - and How are you? I am fine or Sabai dee mai? and Sabai dee , along with Khop khun (Thank you) – will add tons of smiles to your trip and allow you to truly experience the gracious and friendly spirit of the Thai people.

Some other helpful phrases to learn and know are:

 

No – Mai Chai (mye chy)
Don’t want – Mai ow (mye ow)
Excuse me – Kor tod (caw toad)
Where is the bathroom? – Hong nam yew teenai? (hong nam you tee-nye)

The intermediate words that I would recommend to learn for return travelers, or for anyone wishing to improve their comprehension of the Thai language, would be first about food. Learn to ask for the dishes you like in their Thai names and learn the different words for the types of food that you like. Here are some basic Thai food words:

Beef - Nua

Pork - Moo
Chicken - Gai
Fish – Pla
Shrimp - Goong
Egg - Kai
Vegetable – Pak
Rice - Cow
Spicy - Ped
Not Spicy – Mai Ped
Water - Nam
Ice – Nam Yen
Hot - Ron
Cold – Yen

It is fun to try and learn a new Thai word each day and to practice using it, and then try to remember it the next day! I believe that by activating the ‘language center’ of our brains, something that for many of us has not been done since we were young children or high school students, we actually increase the sensory input flow to our brains, allowing more of the new sights, sounds, colors, tastes, smells and experiences of Thailand to enter our consciousness and be appreciated. So by learning a new word each day you increase your Thai vocabulary and at the same time enhance your brains sensory experience of the day.

 

In Thailand the traditional greeting used when people meet is called the “Wai”. The wai is a show of respect, indicated by pressing your palms together near your chest and bowing slightly. The normal wai is with your hands pressed together at about chest level, presenting a slight bow with your body. The wai to a superior or elder is with the tips of your fingers at nose level, still bowing your body. To convey the most respect and gratitude, such as to a Monk or Buddha image, you will wai with your fingertips at forehead level and present a deeper and longer bow.

The wai is a unique, graceful action practiced throughout Thailand . It plays a very important part in showing respect and is central to Thai etiquette. When being wai-ed to, you would be considered impolite if you didn't return or at least acknowledge the wai. At the very least, you can nod and smile. It can be difficult to determine when you should wai or when someone should wai you. If someone is older than you, then you should wai them unless they are someone whom you employ, such as a housekeeper. Additionally, you should never wai to anyone who you are paying for service, such as waiters, tailors, vendors, shopkeepers or taxi drivers. You also wouldn't wai your peers and friends. Alternatively, when leaving a party or other such gathering, you should wai everyone, as this is the polite way to excuse yourself from the festivities. While listening to a Buddhist sermon in a temple, it is customary to hold a wai during the entire program. You may even notice that as drivers of vehicles pass a sacred monument, they will honk their horns or sometimes wai - taking their hands off the wheel to do so! If this all sounds confusing – don’t worry, as a ‘Farang’ or person of white-skin, we are not expected to wai. As a foreigner, or farang, it's just easiest to wai Thai people that you know already from past trips to Thailand or have met already on your current trip.

Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles , and I believe it is in reference not only to the people of the country, who are always friendly and smiling – but also the effect Thailand has upon first time visitors. On my first trip to Thailand I remember walking off the plane into the airport and smiling ear to ear. That smile lasted the entire time I was there that first trip and has returned with me each time I step off the plane in Bangkok .

Please send over any specific questions you have about Thailand, the trip or the language.

Bill