旅行に備えて基本的なタイ語のフレーズをいくつか覚えておきたいですか?
この記事では、タイ国内を旅行する際に非常に役立つ基本的なタイ語のフレーズや単語をいくつか紹介します。
言語を学ぶこと、あるいは少なくともそうしようとすることは旅行の大きな部分を占めます。お願いやありがとうを言えるようになったり、ビールの注文の仕方などの重要なフレーズをマスターしたりすることです。基本的な単語を学ぶことは、努力、敬意、そして広い心を示すことです。
私の発音は最高ではありませんが、私が地元の人々の言語で予想外のことを言うと、満面の笑みを浮かべたり、くすくす笑ったりするのが大好きなので、個人的にそうしています。
私は過去 8 年間タイに断続的に住んでおり、タイ語を流暢に話すことはできませんが、基本を知っていることは非常にプラスであり、旅行するときに役立ちます。タイに住んでいる間、外国人がタイ語を話そうとするのを見るたびに感じる地元の人々の笑顔は、正直言ってかけがえのないものでした。
タイを旅行するとき、ほとんどの人、特に観光地にいる人は英語を話しますが、ここで役立ついくつかの基本的なタイ語フレーズをご紹介します。
そこでこの記事では、あなたに役立つタイ語の重要なフレーズや単語をいくつか紹介します。
コンテンツを見る
タイ語の必須フレーズ
性別が重要な役割を果たす他の言語とは異なり、タイ語では性別は文の構造や動詞の使用方法に影響を与えません。タイの名詞と代名詞は、性別に関しては一般に中立です。
ただし、文中で敬意や丁寧さを示すために使用できる特定の単語や丁寧な形式はありますが、これらの追加によって基本的な文の構造は変わりません。
たとえば、誰かに丁寧に話すとき、男性の場合は「ครับ」(khrap)、女性の場合は「ค่ะ」(kha)を文末に追加できます。これらの単語は礼儀正しさを示すマーカーのようなもので、文の意味を変えるものではありません。
- あなたが男性の場合: 「こんにちは」は (サワディー・クラップ) と言えます。
- あなたが女性の場合: 「こんにちは」は (サワディー カ) と言えます。
これらの追加単語はオプションであり、文脈や話している相手との関係によって異なります。親しい友人の間や非公式な環境では、人々はこの言葉を使わないことがよくあります。
ルール: あなたが男性の場合は、単語(khrup/krap)で文を終了します。同様に、女性の場合は、単語(ka/kap)で文を終了します。
これは、文章や質問を丁寧かつ敬意を持って表現するために使用されます。
- こんにちは – サワディー・クルップ/カ
- はい – チャイ (krup/ka)
- いいえ – マイ (krup/ka)
- たぶん – Aaj ja (khrup/ka)
- ありがとう – コップクン (krup/ka)
- ごめんなさい/すみません – Khor thoad khrup/ka
- トイレはどこですか– ホン・ナム・ユ・ティー・ナイ・クルップ/カ?
- 医者が必要です - Phom dong gaan hai mor maa raak sa khrup/ka
- 心配しないでください - マイペンライ
- あなたは英語を話せますか? = クン・プード・パアサ・アングリット・ダイ・マイ
一言で言えば、これらのタイ語表現は、タイ国内を旅行する際に役立つ基本事項を網羅しています。
もちろん、他にもタイ語の単語はたくさんありますが、上記に挙げたものが基本です。
編集者注: マイペンライは非常に異質な概念なので、私のお気に入りのタイ語フレーズの 1 つです。「まあまあ、気にしないでください!」という言い方としてよく使用されます。
道路の真ん中でバスが故障しても、タイ人は文句を言ったり心配したりする代わりに、「大丈夫、心配しないで、すべてうまくいく」という意味の「マイペンライ」とだけ言うでしょう。
ですから、次回、タイ人が注文を間違えたり、起きているときにうっかりぶつかったりしたら、この有名な言葉「マイペンライ」を唱えてみてください。そうすれば、あなたは間違いなく笑顔と驚きの表情を浮かべることでしょう。
タイが東南アジアの他の国々とどう違うのか気になりますか?比較ガイドをご覧ください。
インドネシア vs タイ
タイ vs ベトナム
タイ vs フィリピン
タイ vs マレーシア
✨家から絶対に欠かせないもの… ✨
過去 8 年間世界中を旅し、2 回入院した経験を持つ私から言わせれば、旅行保険は誰もが加入する必要があるものです。以下から見積もりを入手してください。
タイ語の基本的な挨拶
Out of all the essentials when speaking Thai, being able to say hello, how are yo and thank you are non-negotiable on my list. Master these three words and you will most likely make a friend or impress a local.
Thai language is a beautiful and complex language that is spoken by more than 60 million people worldwide. One of the most important aspects of Thai culture is the use of polite language and greetings.
In fact, greeting someone in Thai can often set the tone for the entire conversation, as it reflects respect which is highly valued in their culture. Thai people are extremely polite and soft spoken so using the proper greetings is a must.
Thai people use different greetings depending on the time of day, the social status of the person they are addressing, and the context of the situation.
Additionally, the use of different tones and inflections can completely change the meaning of a word, making Thai a challenging but rewarding language to learn.
- Hello – Sawadee khrup/ka
- Good Morning- sawatdee tohn chao
- Good Afternoon- sawatdee tohn bai
- Good Evening- sawatdee tohn yen
- Good Day- chohk dee
- Good Night- ra tree sawat
- How are you? – Sa bai dee mai khrup/ka
- Goodbye! – La gorn khrup/ka
Editor’s Note: Check out our ultimate guide on Thailand Travel Tips which features the best things to do, where to stay, and what to eat.
Thai Phrases for Eating and Ordering Food
Nothing is worse than being ridiculously hungry only to find out that your Thai food is way too spicy to eat. Trust me, it happens more often than you think. With that in mind, here are a few Thai words essential for eating and ordering food.
If you’re planning to travel to Thailand or dine at a Thai restaurant, it’s helpful to learn some Thai phrases for ordering and eating out.
Knowing a few simple expressions can make your dining experience more enjoyable and allow you to communicate more effectively with the servers and chefs.
In this introduction, we’ll cover some of the most commonly used Thai words and phrases for ordering food, asking for recommendations, and making special requests.
Whether you’re a foodie looking to explore Thailand’s vibrant culinary scene or just looking for a quick and delicious meal, these words and phrases will come in handy. So, let’s get started and learn some basic Thai words for dining out and ordering food!
On a side note, when eating in a restaurant, it pays to compliment them by saying “aroy” for the food as you’re about to pay. I do this all the time regardless if it’s a nice restaurant or some hole in the wall street food joint. Trust me, a small compliment goes a long way!
- Not Spicy – Mai phet
- A little Spicy- phet nit nawy
- Really Spicy – phet mak
- I would like to order- sang aa-haan
- Delicious- Aroy
- I’m full – Khen laeo
- Can I have the menu, please? – Kor toong naan a-rai ka/krub?
- I would like to order… – Chan yaak ork…
- Check, please – Check bin ka/krub
- Fork – Kor-yaht
- Spoon – Chor
- Water – Naam
- Rice – Kao
- Noodles – Guay-ti-ow
- Soup – Gaeng
- Meat – Neua (beef), Moo (pork), Gai (chicken)
Psst...Want in on a Secret? 🤫
We've scoured the internet for the best ALL-AROUND travel shoe and Tropicfeel wins by far. We've taken ours through rivers, jungles, and cities and they're still alive and kickin'. Check them out below.
Important Thai Words and Phrases Used for Traveling
When it comes to traveling around Thailand, there are a few basic phrases that you would need to know.
As mentioned, most Thai people, especially those who live in the touristy places speak English. However, you may encounter a couple who don’t so it’s best to get all your bases covered.
- Hotel – rong raem
- Bed – tee non
- Airport – sa-naam bin
- Bathroom – horng nam
- What time? – gee mong
- Can you help? – hai chuay leua
- Passport – bat pra jam dtua
- Help, I am lost – Chuay, chan tua khon
- Where is the toilet? – Horng nam yoo tee nai?
- Can you help me find my hotel? – Chuay, chuay chan haa roong raem chan
- Do you know where this is? – Khun rao yoo tee nai mai?
Thai Words for Shopping
If you’re planning to visit Bangkok, shopping is likely to be on your to-do list. From bustling street markets to high-end shopping malls, Thailand has a lot to offer to the shopping enthusiast.
Knowing some basic Thai words and phrases can make your shopping experience more enjoyable and help you communicate with the locals. In this introduction, we’ll cover some of the most commonly used Thai words and phrases for shopping.
I love wandering around the many Bangkok night markets and shocking the locals with some Thai words!
You’ll learn how to ask for the price, negotiate, and make purchases. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs, clothing, or other items, these words and phrases will come in handy. So, let’s get started and learn some basic Thai words for shopping!
- That’s expensive! – Paeng mak khrup/ka!
- How much does this cost? – Ra ka tao rai khrup/ka?
- Can you give me a discount please?– Ga ru na lot ra ka hai noi khrup/ka?
- How much is this? – ra-ka thao rai
- What color is this? – ni pen see arai
- What sizes do you have? – mee size arai baa-ng
- Is there a discount? – mee sua-lot mai
- No – mai chai
- Yes – chai
- This is the item I want. – ni keu sin ka tee chan dtong gaan
- Where do I pay? – jai ngern tee nai
- Do you accept credit cards? – mee bat kred rab mai
- Do you have bags? – pua kun mee tung sai mai
- Do you offer discounts for tourists? – mee sua-lot sam-rap nak tong tiaow mai
- This is too expensive. – ni paeng goen pai
- Can I try it on? – khob se-biang
- I’m not sure. – chan mai nae chai
- Do you have more? – mee eek mai
- This is very beautiful. – ni suay maak
- I will come back again. – chan ja glap maa eek
Basic Thai to Impress and Gain Street Cred
- Neung, song, saam, see, haa, hook, jet, baat, gow, sip (one to ten)
- You are cute – Khun naa rak khrup/ka
- I’m drunk- Mao Laew
- Having fun? – sanuk mai?
Love Thailand? Check out our guide on a few fun facts about Thailand and prepare to be amazed by these fun little tidbits!
If you’re really serious about learning Thai, here are a few tips:
Invest in Thai lessons- If you’re serious about learning Thai while you are in the country, invest in lessons. Practicing the basics and starting it off with proper knowledge on the languages’ phonemes and accents will help you in mastering this language.
Thai Books- You can even pick up books to help you practice the basic words.
Spend time with Thai People – Making friends and regularly hanging out with locals is the best and easiest way to pick up the language. That way, you can also improve your textbook-based learning into a more relaxed tone. Conversational Thai is the way to go!
Practice- Practice with locals, practice by watching music videos, game shows, or cartoons. Practice by downloading useful apps to help you practice.
So that’s it for the basics!
If you’re worried about the level of English spoken in the country- don’t! It’s a very tourist friendly country and if someone doesn’t understand the language, they will usually point you in the direction of someone who can speak.
Hopefully, this article has given you a brief overview of the various Thai phrases which will definitely come to use when traveling around.
Remember, learning these basic Thai phrases can truly enhance your travel experience in Thailand.
In this guide, we’ve given you some key words and expressions that can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
Whether you’re exploring Thai cuisine, asking for directions, or seeking assistance, using even a few local phrases can make a big difference.
So, as you set off on your adventure, remember that saying ‘sawasdee’ or ‘khob khun’ can open doors to memorable experiences and deeper connections with the locals.
Looking for More Guides for Thailand? Check these Articles Out:
Inspired? Pin it!
This is so great! I could’ve used this last year before my trip lol. And like you said, most locals in touristy areas speak English, but I really do think they appreciate it when visitors at least make an effort to speak Thai.
What a great round up of words and phrases to know! It definitely makes traveling easier when you can communicate.
What a useful guide. Learning the basics in the native language makes travel a little more fun and engaging. You may make a fool of yourself sometimes, but also immersing yourself into a different culture with even a little language skills goes a long way.
This is really useful, thank you! Locals really appreciate it when you make an effort to learn their language, and I like that you included some for gaining street cred 😉
I love learning a bit of the language from the places I visit. I often listen in on people speaking and see if I can make out any words that sound like English. Lol. Great post and tips…
I always try to learn a little of the local language before we visit a country. Unfortunately I really don’t have any talent for languages so it is never going to get me to a conversant level in any of them.
What terrific tips! I especially like the food ordering tips. I’ll bookmark this for my next trip to Thailand. Thanks!
Great tips, especially for the Thai language which can sound very difficult to learn and speak. It can definitely go a long way in making friends. Love your photos, especially the one of the Thai woman! I’d like to use some of the phrases to say hello. She looks so friendly. 🙂
I do think it makes a big difference when you are travelling to know a few phrases. Local people really appreciate it.
This is such a good idea for a post! Getting to know the basic phrases when travelling is such a nice thing, not only to show respect, but to also feel more in touch with the culture! I remember learning the Thai basics when we were over there, but this is very useful! Khop khun ka!