Thread: Some Useful Thai Words

This would be better if you could somehow include the thai script as I always think that everybody has their own way of pronouncing romanised transliteration

Originally Posted by Doggsy

This would be better if you could somehow include the thai script as I always think that everybody has their own way of pronouncing romanised transliteration

If you can read Thai script you don't need this thread.

Ra dup = level ระดับ

this means level as in class or rank, or ground level, water level. but not level as in a flat or even surface.

One of my latest findings..

Weejai foon = researching dust - means to be a bum/vagrant/issan type/etc

Originally Posted by Humbert

Sahmak = apply สมัคร

Can also use 'tar' for applying cream, paint, make-up or whatever..

Weejai foon

good find,

weejai should really be วิจัย

wi-jai. with a high tone on the short vowel wi .

with a long vowel , it takes a rising tone and the word means comb, or bunch as in bunch of bananas

ฝุ่น - dust - also a short vowel but a low tone.

tones and vowel length, very important and very difficult.

Sahmak = apply สมัคร

to apply for a membership, a job.

Or tar sii to apply paint. But in this case apply is in the context of applying for a job or a membership or a license.

Originally Posted by taxexile

to apply for a membership, a job.

followed by a 'sumparth' or interview, which is a total bitch (read impossible) to spell phonetically..and I'm buggered if I'm gonna root around the keyboard for the next 2 hours.

Measure = wut วัด
I always find this useful.

^ Same word as 'temple' is it not?

Originally Posted by somtamslap

^ Same word as 'temple' is it not?

Yup. Same word, different meaning.

^think you have opened up a can of worms here Humbert.

Originally Posted by Humbert

Soot yawt = highest or best สุดยอด

This word is more commanly used as a word to mean "cool" as in Fonzy cool.

Originally Posted by Bogon

^think you have opened up a can of worms here Humbert.

Originally Posted by Humbert

Soot yawt = highest or best สุดยอด

This word is more commanly used as a word to mean "cool" as in Fonzy cool.

It's literal meaning is like the peak or highest point but the Thais use it colloquially to mean cool, great, fantastic etc.

No one has mentioned the most common word in Thai yet; 'Urr' [meaning pretty much anything]. How's that spelt?

The best Thai sentence that I learnt was:
Gep nung tee fan pom. - Get the money from my wife!!

Originally Posted by Humbert

If you can read Thai script you don't need this thread.

I don't necessarily think that is a true statement. I think if you can read Thai script it can only help your understanding to learn some new words in this thread. Granted some may be already known but new words are easier to read and understand if the script is there.

Just because somebody can read Thai script doesn't mean they know every word nor does it mean they have a super wide vocabulary.

Still good thread, some useful words occuring.

Reading helps you with tones, which is essentially what the Thai language is based on...although speaking quickly and ignoring them has seem me right for the past decade or so...mastering tones is fucking hard...the grammar of the language however is ridiculously easy..

Dtee Mor ( ตีหม้อ ) = to beat the pot. Or a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

Not good for polite circles but will make your taxi driver laugh.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

Reading helps you with tones, which is essentially what the Thai language is based on...although speaking quickly and ignoring them has seem me right for the past decade or so...mastering tones is fucking hard...the grammar of the language however is ridiculously easy..

To my knowledge Thais don't have dog races and I presume this is because nobody would know for sure whether they have been invited a horse or dog race.

Originally Posted by Bangyai

Dtee Mor ( ตีหม้อ ) = to beat the pot. Or a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

Not good for polite circles but will make your taxi driver laugh.

Or

Guwun teen = literally 'stir with the foot'. Used when someone annoys you so much you want to get back at them or kick them.

Carpet = phrumปูพรม

wrong spelling, its พรม,

Wiring = si faiสายไฟ,

saai fai, not si fai.

Paint = sii ทาสี

in thai you have given "taa sii" , the verb 'to paint'

its good to see a thai language thread, and not wishing to nit pick, but some of the english alliteration is way off, as is some of the thai spelling.

where are you getting this from?