For
foreigners speaking Thai for the first time, it can be embarrassing
if they get the tone wrong. Fortunately for you, you have
chosen to learn the Thai language. When you travel in Thailand
you will find the Thai people to be very supportive when
they find out that you are trying to learn Thai. They will
help you a lot without laughing!
Probably one
of the main problem words you will come across is for "near"
and "far". Although they are opposite in meaning,
in Thai they are very similar sound.
Obviously, if
you ask someone if it is far to the train station, you must
know your tones. Is it far or near!
A popular activity you might like to do while in Thailand
is horse back riding. However, be careful if you say to
a Thai person that you want to ride a horse. If you get
the tone wrong, they might think you want something else!
Actually, kee
is not really a bad word. It is used often for things like
"sleep in your eyes" (kee dtaa), bogies
up your nose (kee mook) and also ear wax (kee
hoo). Oh yes, can you guess what dandruff would be?
Yes, kee hua!
The word maa
can mean different things depending on the spelling
Another difficult
word for foreigners to get right is khao. Be careful,
you might be saying you want to eat rice, or if you get
the tone wrong, people might think you are a canibal!
A story that
Mike told us on the message forums was quite embarrassing.
He was asking around for the person who sold tickects. He
wanted to catch a train. However, he got a tone wrong and
people were shocked when they thought he was asking for
a prostitute!
If you are staying
with some Thai people, be careful when you are saying good
night!
This is another
of those words which change its meaning with the tone.
Foreigners learn
how to say "beautiful" quite quickly. But, be
careful, you might be cursing a woman instead of saying
how pretty she is!
Don't mix up
your older sibling with a ghost!
Or your younger
sibling and pus!
Do you want some
water or thorns?
OK, be very careful
here!
The last one
is the funniest. Do you want milk with your coffee or do
you want her to shake her breasts!!!
If you have any
questions, then please use our forums.
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