Learning Thai the Easy Way > Speak Thai > Language Difficulties

If you are learning Thai for the first time, you will have some language difficulties. People will speak too fast or there will be certain words you won't understand. Thai people love it when they meet foreigners who are trying to learn their language. Carrying a small phrase book with words written out in Thai and English is always an ice breaker. Point to any phrase and ask them "how do you say this?"


I want to learn Thai. (phom yak rian pa sa thai)

Don't forget men say "phom" for "I". Women say "di-chun". Visit the Women Speaking Thai page for sound clips.


Can you teach me Thai? (sorn pa sa thai phom dai mai)

Don't forget men say "phom" for "I". Women say "di-chun". Visit the Women Speaking Thai page for sound clips.


Can you help me please? (chuay dai mai)

For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.


Can you speak English? (poot pa sa ang grit dai mai)

For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.


I can only speak a little English. (poot pa sa ang grit dai nit noi)

Here we didn't put in "I" in the Thai sentence. It is not really needed when you are speaking Thai.


Can you speak Thai? (poot pa sa thai dai mai)

For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.


A little. (nit noi)

This is the best answer if someone asks you if you can speak Thai.


How do you read this? (arn yang rai)


What do you call this in Thai? (nee pa sa thai riak wa a-rai)

Don't forget to point to some Thai words.


How do you spell it? (sa got yang rai)


Can you please write it down? (khian dai mai)

For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.


Do you understand? (khao jai mai)


I don't understand. (mai khao jai)

If you understand just say "kao jai".


Can you speak louder? (poot dang dang dai mai)

For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.


Can you speak slower? (poot char char dai mai)

For a "dai mai" question (can you?) they will reply "dai" for yes or "mai dai" for no.


Say again please. (poot eek krang)


I don't understand the word ... (mai khao jai cum wa ...)

Use this when a Thai person uses a word you don't understand.


What does ... mean? (... plae wa a-rai)