Thai Word of the Day?

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Huahinian
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Post by Huahinian »

Roel wrote:

Probably to early for a more academical/linguistic approach but the best book on the Thai language ever published (first edition 1956!) is now available on the internet:

The Fundamentals of the Thai Language

Good luck!
I agree 100%! I learned to speak, read and write Thai using that book!
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PeteC
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Post by PeteC »

Here's a new one I picked up mainly because it seems the radio and TV media is using it more, as I never noticed such extensive usage in the past.

Thamada = ordinary or natural. (correct me on phonetic spelling/meaning if I'm off).

It's a bit confusing as to me, 'ordinary' and 'natural' really mean different things.

I know if something is not really special, like a movie, meal, party, shampoo, a girl, almost anything, you can use it to mean 'ordinary'.

I haven't really come across anything yet where it can be used to mean 'natural'. Pete :cheers:
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Post by PeteC »

Calling EARTH, EARTH come in.

Your participation and guidance on this thread would be very helpful. Thanks! Pete :cheers:
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buksida
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Post by buksida »

prcscct wrote: Thamada = ordinary or natural. (correct me on phonetic spelling/meaning if I'm off).
Thammada (ธรรมดา) ordinary.

Thammachart (ธรรมชาติ) natural.

There ya go, another new word today!
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PeteC
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Post by PeteC »

buksida wrote:
prcscct wrote: Thamada = ordinary or natural. (correct me on phonetic spelling/meaning if I'm off).
Thammada (ธรรมดา) ordinary.

Thammachart (ธรรมชาติ) natural.

There ya go, another new word today!
There it is! The dictionary I have here lists both definitions as 'thammada'. AM I'll look up thammachart to see what English words they have for that. If something additional , we may not be finished with this one. :D Pete :cheers:

PS: I don't know what route your taking Buks with your studies but my downfall is vocabulary, not grammar. Granted I've never focused too hard, but grammar seems to come easy. Learning word after word does not, unless I'm actually out and absorbing it and using it.
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PeteC
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Post by PeteC »

Does anyone know if there is a Thai word for the number 'billion', or is just 'pan lan' commonly used? Thanks. Pete :cheers:
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Post by Roel »

Correct, for a billion Thais use "phan laan" (thousand million). I checked a few dictionaries but none has another word for it.

PS But why you wanna know Pete? Need a partner? 8)
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Post by PeteC »

Roel wrote:Correct, for a billion Thais use "phan laan" (thousand million). I checked a few dictionaries but none has another word for it.

PS But why you wanna know Pete? Need a partner? 8)
Thanks Roel. No, my partner picked up words like 'billion' 'trillion' watching CNN and BBC and a discussion started. :roll: Pete :cheers:
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Post by Magoo »

I have lived in Thailand for the past 3 years and have found Thai to be one of the hardest languages to wrap my head around!
Not only the tonal nature of the language, but there are certain consonant combinations that are practically impossible for most
Farlang to pronounce..... well, me atleast!

Here are a few phrases that I have found to be quite usefull....... please forgive me if
the spelling is not correct, just spelling them the way they sound to me.

While sitting at the bar and you know the gals are making comments
towards you just reply with..........

Poot thai mai dai, pom dai fong dee............. I do not speak thai but I can hear/listen very well.

They will usually turn a few shades of red out of embarassment that you MIGHT have understood
what they were talking about. Then follow up with the following to close the deal.

Poot thai mai dai, san yaa............. I do not speak thai, promise.

Paaaw laayeo............. enough already

Another good one if you are getting harrassed for ladydrinks or to play dice games etc. and you really
dont want to, BUT you also dont want to shut the gal down completely by saying "mai ow" you can try.............

Oh gaat naa............ which translates to maybe later or maybe next time.

If the gal is giving you the pout face for whatever reason just call her Som Oy or khon khee bohn ........ which means crybaby or crying to get attention, fake tears.

Use at your own risk! I have never had any issues with the gals when saying this in a joking manner, well
except for the one ashtray that flew past my head..... but thats another story....... Poo ying ting tong maak maak.

Poo ying taa leung......... meaning playfull, cheeky, naughty

not to be confused with

Poo ying lah mohk............. meaning naughty, nasty, perverted


Enjoy :cheers:
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help

Post by carol »

very helpful thanks
kern nee rak ka tow rai
dorn nee rak ka tow rai
what is the difference? or have I miss heard
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please turn on light

Post by carol »

can you explain pit fie tee ka, why pit?
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Re: help

Post by leo65 »

carol wrote:very helpful thanks
kern nee rak ka tow rai
dorn nee rak ka tow rai
what is the difference? or have I miss heard
i guess u mean:

khae ni (แค่นี้) = just this, that's all
ton ni (ตอนนี้) = now, at this time

rak khao thao rai (รักเขาเท่าไร) = how much love him

ton ni rak khao thao rai (ตอนนี้รักเขาเท่าไร) = now how much love him?

hope can help you
bye :)
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Re: please turn on light

Post by leo65 »

carol wrote:pit fie tee ka
for a correct transaltion i'll need to listen it :) try anyway...

MAYBE

pit fai (ปิดไฟ) = switch off the light
ti ka (ที่ขา) = at lower extremitie, at leg

OR

pit fai dee (ปิดไฟดี) = switch off well the light
ka (ค่ะ) = (word added by a female speaker to the end of every statement to convey politeness)

bye :)
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Post by Korkenzieher »

I think the kern ni (keun ni) may have been 'tonight' Khaw kwai, sara eu, naw nu. Sorry - don't have a Thai keyboard here.

so keun ni rakha tau-rai (khrap) would be 'tonight, how much?'
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Re: please turn on light

Post by Super Joe »

leo65 wrote:
carol wrote:pit fie tee ka
OR
pit fai dee (ปิดไฟดี) = switch off well the light
ka (ค่ะ) = (word added by a female speaker to the end of every statement to convey politeness)
Maybe .... bit fai dee-gwaa ? (அகிலா பரதன்)

SJ
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