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Thai is a tonal monosyllabio language.
The same word can be said in five different ways - normal or middle tone, low, high, rising and falling.
mai | high | wood |
(tam) mai | normal | why |
mai | low | new |
mai | rising | question |
mai | falling | burn |
Like English it is read form left to right, but that's where the similarities end. Thai sounds are not commonly used in English or German either. There are no plurals in Thai, nor are there tenses as such.
A word or two is usually added to determine the past, present or future. If you run into difficulties, remember to speak slowly and clearly, stick to the simple present tense and don't use slang or idioms.
In Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Pattaya the level of English is quite good, but outside the city will find that the Thais' ability to speak English diminish as one moves further away.
In Thai there is a "politening" word attached to the end of anything you say. For men it is "Khrap", for women it is "kha". The words have little if any direct translation but a Thai will think very highly of you if you use it.
Hello : sawat-dee (khrap/kha)
Thank you (very much) : khob
khun (mahk)
Never mind/that's alright : mai
pen rai
Excuse me : Khor
thod
Yes : chai
No : Mai chai
My name is ... : Pom/chun
cheu...
What 's your name ? : Khun
cheu a-rai
Pleased to meet you : Yin
dee tee dai roo-juk
Where is the toilet? : hong
nam yoo tee nai
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