Basic words in Thai
309 words in Thai on the topic “basic words”: ใช่ — yes, ไม่ ใช่ — no, สบายดี — fine, ไม่ค่อย สบาย — not so well.
309 words on the topic
- ใช่чайyesThe answer to a "...isn't it?" question. It sounds exactly like the word for tea — the easiest memory hook there is. It does not attach to verbs: to "going?" Thai answers "going"
- ไม่ ใช่май чайnoLiterally "not so". It negates nouns and facts; verbs are negated differently — a plain mai in front of the word. In casual speech people also answer plao
- สบายดีсабайдиfineLiterally "comfortable". The standard full answer about yourself: sabai di khrap khopkhun — fine, thank you
- ไม่ค่อย สบายмайкхой сабайnot so wellLiterally "not quite well". Thai avoids a flat "bad" about oneself and softens it; about illness the same move: mai sabai means "I am ill"
- เยี่ยม มากйиам макgreatA stronger answer to "how are you?" than sabai di: literally "on great form". Mak is the same "very" as in "thank you very much"
- ได้ ไหม?дай май?may I?; is it possible?Literally "can or not?". It attaches to any request at the end: kho nam dai mai — "water, may I?". The answer is dai (may) or mai dai (may not)
- และлэandA bookish link that live speech often drops: "coffee tea" without "and" sounds fine. In a list Thai more often puts a pause than the word
- แต่тэbutThe colloquial "but", standing between phrases. A second "but", tae wa, is longer and even more colloquial; the difference is tempo, not meaning
- กิโลкилоkilo; kilogramThe short form of "kilogram". Half a kilo is khrueng kilo, and "one and a half" is the other way round — kilo khrueng: the half jumps to the end
- ครึ่งкхрынгhalfA half; it stands in front: khrueng kilo — half a kilo, khrueng chua mong — half an hour
- ไม่ เอาмай аоI don't want itThe polite refusal in a shop: mai ao khrap. Thai builds no separate "I don't need it": "I am not taking" is enough
- อีก หนึ่งик нынгone moreLiterally "one again": ik is "again", the one in "once more". After ik the number goes together with its classifier
- พอпхоenoughWith it one stops the pouring and the serving: pho laeo — "enough already". It also means "so-so": pho chai — "it will do"
- รวมруамaltogether; totalIn total, together: at the till they say ruam thao rai. The same word lives in "colleague" — "working together"
- คิวкхиуqueue; lineEnglish queue. "To stand in line" is ro khiu — literally "wait queue". A word from Bangkok life: there is a queue everywhere here
- ขนาดкханаатsizeSize in general: of a room, a city, a trouble. About clothing size people more often say the English "size"
- มาก กว่าмак квааmore; bigger (amount)Literally "much + than". The mak, "very", has long been familiar to you: the boost and the comparison grow from one root here
- น้อย กว่าной квааless; smaller (amount)The pair of "more": noi is little, kwa is than. Comparison in Thai always goes through "than"; the shape of the adjective does not change
- หนักнакheavyHeavy by weight; "hard work" uses the same word. It is also "heavy" of rain and of illness
- เบาбаоlight (weight)Light by weight. Quiet music and a low sound are named differently — bao is about weight and character
- ใหม่майnewIt argues by ear with mai, "not": "new" falls, "not" is low. The closest twins of the language — the course warned about them
- เก่าгаоold (of things)Old about a thing. About a person it is not said — there is another word, gae. It argues with khao, "he", in tone and vowel length alone
- พังпхангbroken; out of orderBroken, spoilt, not working — Thai more often says all of it with this one word. Smashed to pieces is said differently
- คนкхонperson; humanBoth "person" and the classifier for people: saam khon — "three people". In compounds khon means "the one who does": the seller is "person sell"
- ไม่ เป็น ไรмай пен райit is all right; no problemLiterally "it is not a matter". The same phrase answers "sorry" and "thank you" — Thai says "it is nothing" with it
- ทุก อย่าง ดีтхук янг диeverything is fineLiterally "every thing is good": thuk is "every", yang is "thing, sort". The answer to "how are you" and to "is everything intact?" alike
- สิบ เอ็ดсип этelevenLiterally "ten one": tens are added together, and the rule holds to the very end of counting. Et is a special "one" reserved for the end of a number
- สิบ สองсип сонгtwelveTen plus the familiar song. There is no dozen in Thai — twelve is just the count as it runs
- สิบ สามсип самthirteenTen plus saam. Every part stays audible inside the number: sip and saam do not fuse — Thai does not squeeze its numbers
- สิบ สี่сип сиfourteenThe same four that scares hospitals and hotels. Inside a number it scares nobody — the superstition clings only to the bare number
- สิบ ห้าсип хаfifteenTen plus haa. Thai does not call a quarter of an hour by this number: fifteen minutes are named with the plain numbers
- สิบ หกсип хокsixteenTen plus the familiar hok, "six". Nothing changes inside the number — the tens are added honestly
- สิบ เจ็ดсип джетseventeenTen plus chet, "seven". On paper the two words stand apart — Thai does not fuse its numbers
- สิบ แปดсип пэтeighteenThe lucky paet carries its luck inside the number just as well as alone. Eighteen is the age of majority in Thailand
- สิบ เก้าсип каоnineteenTen plus kao, "nine", with the falling tone of the numeral. The last number before a new root: at twenty the counting rule shifts
- ยี่ สิบйи сипtwentyThe only ten where "two" sounds different: yi instead of song. After that it is easy: saam sip is thirty, haa sip is fifty
- สาม สิบсам сипthirty"Three ten" — the addition is honest and audible. Shop prices are read exactly this way: ten after ten
- สี่ สิบси сипforty"Four ten". In fast speech sii and sip fuse — listen for the classifier, it will show where the number ends
- ห้า สิบха сипfifty"Five ten". The half hundred is the most common price at the market; the cashier will say it faster than you get the money out
- หก สิบхок сипsixty"Six ten". There are as many seconds in a minute — the Thai tens-based count of time differs in nothing
- เจ็ด สิบджет сипseventy"Seven ten". The bigger tens are built the same way: Thai created no separate words for them
- แปด สิบпэт сипeighty"Eight ten" — the lucky number in harness with a ten. Thais like prices with eights: they are easy to hear and lucky
- เก้า สิบкао сипninety"Nine ten". After it the count returns to "hundred" — and the hundreds are built in a new way
- ร้อยройhundredHundreds are added: song roi — two hundred, saam roi — three hundred. The vowel is long and you can hear it: roi stretches
- พันпханthousandA thousand in one syllable. Shop prices easily reach nueng phan baht — ordinary money for a decent jacket
- ล้านлаанmillionA million in one syllable, the tone falls. It argues with lan, the "square", over almost nothing — by ear these are different worlds, and the tone is the judge
- ศูนย์суунzeroZero in a number, zero on the score and zero temperature — one word. In phone numbers it is pronounced readily: suun is simpler than explaining
- ที่ หนึ่งти нынгfirstThe ordinal is assembled thi plus the number: thi nueng, thi song, thi saam. The same thi as in "here" and "there" — the link that is everywhere
- ที่ สองти сонгsecondThe same scheme: thi plus song. The second floor is chan thi song, and the word order never changes
- ที่ สามти самthirdThe ordinal from saam. "The third time" is khrang thi saam, and the word for "time" here is its own, not the clock one
- สุด ท้ายсут тхайlast; finalLiterally "the end of the end": thai is the rear, the tail. "The last bus" is a phrase from Bangkok's night life
- กี่кийhow manyIt asks about counting pieces: kii khon — how many people, kii mong — at what time. The price is asked with another word — thao rai
- คู่кхууpair; coupleA pair of things and a married couple — one word. The classifier for paired objects is khuu too
- ชิ้นчинpiece (classifier)The classifier for pieces and countable things: bread, soap, cakes. "Piece" in Thai is not a word but a measure after the number
- เปอร์เซ็นต์пёрсентpercentEnglish percent, adopted whole. "A discount of ten percent" is counted in Thai — the digits are not switched to English
- ทุกтхукevery; eachIt stands before the word and does not change: thuk wan — every day, thuk khon — every person. The word "all" is assembled from it too
- ใครкхрайwhoThe word changes neither for number nor for its role in the phrase — Thai does not need that. It stands in the same place the question "who" goes
- ทำไมтхаммайwhyLiterally "do why". The answer starts with phro wa — "because" — and this is the same word as "since"
- เพื่อ อะไรпхиа арайwhat for; why (purpose)Literally "for the sake of what": thammai asks about the cause, phia arai about the purpose. Thai holds the difference firmly
- แบบ ไหนбэп найwhat kind; whichLiterally "of what pattern": baep is a pattern, a cut. It asks both about a choice and about a property: "which coffee?", "what is he like?"
- ของ ใครкхонг кхрайwhoseLiterally "thing of whom": there is no separate word "whose", possession is built through khong. The same machine works with names
- ไม่ มี ใครмай ми кхрайnobody (is there)Literally "there is no one": the negation is assembled from "not have" plus "who". No double negation is needed
- บาง อย่างбанг янгsomethingLiterally "a certain thing": bang is "a certain", yang is "thing, sort". From the same pieces "someone" and "somewhere" are assembled
- ทั้ง สองтханг сонгbothLiterally "all two": thang, "whole, entire", plus the familiar song. About people and things it is said alike
- ไม่ รู้май рууI don't knowLiterally "not know": ruu is to know a fact. To know a person or a place Thai says with the same word — it does not need to split "know" and "be acquainted"
- เห็นхэнto seeLiterally "land in the eye". The negation is mai hen, and "see you" Thai says through the familiar joe gan
- ได้ ยินдай йинto hearLiterally "get into the ear": dai is "to get", yin is hearing. "To ask" is a different word — do not mix them by ear
- นอนнонto sleep; to lie down"Sleep", "lie", and "stop for the night": the bedroom is "sleep room", assembled from this word
- ถือтхыэto carryTo carry in the hands, to hold. To transport is a separate verb: there a vehicle works, not the hands
- วางваангto put; to placeBoth "stand up" and "lay down" — Thai does not mind whether upright or flat. It argues by ear with wang, "free": here the tone decides everything
- หักхакto break (in two)About what snaps: a branch, bread, a bone. Machines are not hak but phang — they break down rather than snap
- สร้างсангto buildTo build a house and "build" relations — one verb. The name of the construction site grows from it too
- มากмакmany; muchThe most frequent booster — "very". After a noun it means "many": khon mak — there are many people. Its pair is noi
- น้อยнойfew; littleLittle and a bit, without reproach. The pair of mak: the comparison is made by adding kwa, "than"; the word itself does not change
- นุ่มнумsoftSoft to the touch: a bed, bread, fabric. It argues by ear with num, "young man" — the tone decides everything here, as usual in Thai
- แข็งкхэнгhard; firmHard, rigid, and also "strong" about health. It argues with "dry" by one tone — listen to the pitch
- เปียกпиакwet; soakedSoaked through: clothes, floor, ground. "Got wet in the rain" is said with the same word — no separate verb is needed
- แห้งкхэнгdryDry about a thing and about the ground; the dry season of Thailand is assembled from it. The pair of "hard" — the difference is only the tone
- บางбаангthin (layer)Thin about a layer and fabric; a thin person is another word. With baan, "house", it argues over almost nothing — length and tone stand guard
- ลึกлыкdeepDeep about water, sleep and thought: "sleeps deeply" is said with the same word. There is no separate word for "shallow" — people say "not deep"
- กลมкломroundRound about shape: the moon, a coin, a plate. From it grow "globe" and "ball" — everything that rolls
- ไป ไหนпай найwhere to?Literally "go where": Thai created no separate word "whither" — the direction lives in the verb. The same nai stands in the question "where"
- ทุก ที่тхук тиeverywhereLiterally "every place": the same thuk as in "every day". The space here is the course's markup; live Thai writes it together
- ไม่ มี ที่ไหนмай ми тинайnowhereLiterally "there is not anywhere": the word is assembled from a negation and a question, like "nowhere to be found". It follows the thing that is missing
- ของкхонгthings; stuffThe same khong that makes "mine" and "yours": "mom's house" is baan khong mae. By itself it means "a thing, things, gear"
- ความ เสี่ยงкхуам сийангriskBy ear near the damage word — the last syllable tells them apart. A high risk is "the risk sits high"
- แผน สำ รองпхэн сам ронгbackup plan; plan BThe same "spare" as the spare wheel: the plan word is from announcements and meetings. Thais plan a vacation with a backup plan just like you
- ปัญ หาпан хааtrouble; problemOne word means both "problem" and "trouble": the weight is set by the talk, not the form. The polite formula "no problem" is "there is no trouble"
- สา เหตุса хетcause; reasonThe incident word with a boosting prefix: a cause is the root cause of the event. A word of bulletins and explanations; "for what reason" is said with it
- ผล ลัพธ์пон лапresult; outcomeLiterally "fruit-outcome": the first word is a fruit — the same syllable as in fruit. Said of an exam, of treatment, of negotiations alike
- เพราะ งั้นпхро нганtherefore; that is whyLiterally "by reason of that": the tail word is "that", a pointer word. It links two phrases and stands at the head of the second; a comma before it is usual
- เพราะпхроbecauseIt opens the cause and stands in front of it: "came late because the traffic was jammed". You have already heard it in the question "what for"
- เนื่อง จากныанг джакbecause of; due toLiterally "flowing from": a word stricter than "because", living in explanations and statements. After it comes the culprit, not the whole phrase
- ขึ้น อยู่ กับкхын ю капto depend onLiterally "hang with": dependence Thai draws as hanging — the price hangs on the season. The answer is short: "depends on..." and the cause is named
- อธิบาย สา เหตุатибаай са хетto explain the causeThe familiar explain from the studies wave plus the fresh cause. One explains usually after the question "why"
- เป้า หมายпао маайgoal; targetLiterally "mark-intention": the first word is a target, the second is intention — the syllable from the law. A goal at work, in studies and in the gym — one word
- ความ หมายкхуам маайmeaning; senseLiterally "meaning": the intention word plus the familiar frame. They ask "what does it mean?" — literally "has the meaning of what"
- ข้อ สรุปкхо сарупconclusion; summaryFrom sarup, "to summarize": a conclusion is what was gathered into one. It is written at the end, and school essays are no exception
- โอ กาสоо каатopportunity; chanceLiterally "case-occasion": an opportunity that comes along and passes. The first vowel is long; a word of negotiations and listings
- เป็น ไป ได้пен пай дайpossible; may (happen)Literally "go can": Thai does not say "possibly" in one word — it asks whether the matter can go. Then comes the that-word and the content
- เป็น ไป ไม่ ได้пен пай май дайimpossibleA plain negation of the previous: "cannot go". It sounds firmer than "hard" — this is how one refuses for good
- ความ จำ เป็นкхуам джам пенnecessityThe familiar frame turns "obligatory" into "necessity". "There is no necessity" is a ready polite refusal formula
- จำ เป็นджам пенobligatory; requiredLiterally "kept-necessary": the obligatory in Thai is what one cannot do without, not what you promised. "I will certainly come" is not said so
- หลีก เลี่ยง ไม่ ได้лык лианг май дайI have no choice; I have toLiterally "dodge cannot": having to is expressed through the impossibility of avoiding it. Said of taxes and of a visit to the dentist alike
- ทำ ได้тхам дайallowed; permittedLiterally "do can": permission is given by a plain "one may do", with no word "permitted". On signs the reverse is written more often — "forbidden"
- ห้าม เด็ด ขาดхаам дэт кхатstrictly forbiddenLiterally "forbidden absolutely": the forbid word you know, and the tail is "cut off" — that is, without exceptions. It sounds like a sign on a gate
- การ เลือกкан лыакchoiceThe familiar frame turns "to choose" into "choice". Do not mix it up with an "option": out of a choice one chooses; options are what one chooses among
- ทาง เลือกтаанг лыакoption; alternativeLiterally "way of choosing": an option is a road one may take. "Two options" is said exactly like two ways of the path
- ความ สง สัยкхуам сонг сайdoubtThe familiar frame over the doubting verb — a word of this lesson. Thai counts doubt a thing one carries in oneself
- สง สัยсонг сайto doubt; it seemsOne word both "to doubt" and "it seems like": with rain it means "it seems it is raining". You have met it in the suspect word
- แน่ ใจнэ чайsure; confidentLiterally "dense heart": the same word as in "of course". Confidence in Thai is carried in the heart, and that heart must be firm
- คง ไม่кхонг майhardly; unlikelyLiterally "probably not": the particle is one of supposition; it sounds like the familiar "of" but is written otherwise and with another tone. "Hardly will he come" is exactly these two words
- คง จะкхонг чаprobably; presumablyThe same supposition particle, but with "will": a supposition about the future. Politer than a firm statement, and Thais use it constantly
- ชัวร์чуаsure?; certainThe English sure said in Thai: in speech it sounds more often than the bookish "certain". "Are you sure?" is a short question of disbelief
- ดู เหมือนду мыанit seems; looks likeLiterally "looks alike": to look and alike — both words of this lesson stand in front. Responsibility for the opinion is softly lifted
- จริงๆджингджингreally; for realA doubled "true": the repeat sign says the word twice, and it sounds like "true-true". It stands after the fact: "he came — really came"
- คาด คะเนкхаат кханэto estimate; to presumeLiterally "draw tight-estimate": a word of reports and weather forecasts. One estimates the price of a repair and the time on the road — always approximately
- ไม่ แน่ ใจмай нэ чайI am not sureA plain "not a firm heart": the chief polite formula of disagreement. Thais rarely say "no" — more often exactly "not sure"
- ประ สบ การณ์ ชีวิตпра соп кан чивитlife experienceLiterally "the lived of life": work experience you know — the same head of the word, another tail. It is counted by cases: one lived-through is one instance
- กรณีкарасииcase; instanceA word of newspapers and explanations: "in this case", "in case of anything" — said with it. An ordinary everyday case Thai names simpler — the matter word
- ตัว อย่างтуа янгexample; sampleLiterally "body-pattern": tua is both the body and the piece, and the tail is a pattern. "For example" is exactly the next word of the lesson
- เช่นчыэнfor example; such asOne short word, set right before the example and needing no comma: "fruit, for example oranges". You have heard it already in the requests "like this one"
- ความ ต่างкхуам таангdifferenceLiterally "differentness": the familiar frame over "other". A difference in price, in age, in time — everywhere one word
- การ เทียบкан тиапcomparisonThe familiar frame over "to compare" from the prices lesson. Comparison in Thai is an action set beside, not a rule
- ต่าง กันтаанг канto differLiterally "differ with each other": the familiar each-other makes the action mutual, as in "see each other". The difference lives between two things
- เหมือนмыанsimilar; alikeOne word both "similar" and "as if": Thai demands no preposition "to" — the likeness simply stands beside. Do not confuse by ear with "cat" — the tone differs
- ความ เหมือนкхуам мыанsimilarity; likenessThe same frame as in doubt and difference: similarity is the "likeness" as a thing. It is noticed more often between languages than between people
- การ เปลี่ยน แปลงкан плиан плэнгchange; alterationThe familiar frame over "to change-move": a change is what has already begun. To change an address is said with the other word; changes in life are these three syllables
- ประการ แรกпракан рэнгfirst (in a list)Literally "item first": the first word is an item of a list, the second is "first". It opens a list and stands as the very first word; a comma after it is usual
- ประการ ที่ สองпракан ти сонгsecond (in a list)The same scheme as "first", only the count is second: the familiar ordinal link and "two". Further the row continues the same way — by numbers
- ก่อน อื่นкон ыынfirst of all; above allLiterally "before other": the parts are "earlier" and "other". It opens the phrase and marks the most important, not the very first step
- นอก จาก นี้нок джак нийbesides; apart from thatLiterally "outside of this": the parts are "outside" and "from". It adds an argument to what was said and stands at the head of the second phrase
- ว่า แต่ваа тэby the wayLiterally "and here": a colloquial link with which one changes the topic mid-talk. A question usually follows it — the topic was changed in order to ask
- โดย รวมдои руамin general; on the wholeLiterally "taking the whole": the familiar altogether in the role of a summary. It closes a talk about trifles: on the whole, not bad
- สรุป ว่าсаруп вааin short; to sum upFrom the familiar conclusion word: "in short" is "I will sum up that...". After it comes one phrase — the very essence
- พูด อีกอย่างпхуыт икянгin other words; to put it another wayLiterally "say one more way": the familiar speak and once-more reassembled for a paraphrase. So one explains what was not understood the first time
- ที่ สำ คัญти сам кханthe important thingLiterally "the important": the tail word is "important", a word of listings and instructions. "The most important" would add the superlative at the end
- ใน ที่ สุดнаи ти сутin the end; ultimatelyLiterally "at the very end": it stands before the outcome of a long story. Do not confuse with the familiar "last" — here it is about a finale, not about order in a list
- แม้ ว่าмэо вааalthough; even thoughLiterally "even if": the first word is "even", a concessive conjunction. By ear near the familiar "cat" — the tone tells them apart; the conjunction's falls
- แต่ ก็тэ коbut still; on the other handThe familiar "but" plus the little particle: together they give "but still". It stands in the second half of the phrase, right after the comma
- ตรง ข้ามтронг кхаамopposite; on the contraryLiterally "straight across": the same straight as in "go straight", plus the crossing word. Both about a place ("across the market") and about a sense ("on the contrary") are said with it
- ทั้ง ที่тханг тиdespiteThe same whole as in "both options": despite is "even though it was". After it comes the obstacle, and then the phrase continues with the still-particle
- อย่างไร ก็ ตามянграй ко таамhowever; neverthelessLiterally "however it may be": a polite formula of "with all that". It closes the discussion and returns to the business
- ด้าน หนึ่งдаан нынгon the one handLiterally "side one": the word is a side of an object and a side of a question. It opens the weighing, and the listener already waits for "on the other"
- อีก ด้านик даанon the other handThe second side of the same weighing: the familiar "one more". A pair with "on the one hand" — begun without it, the phrase sounds cut off
- แม้ กระ นั้นмэ кна нанneverthelessLiterally "even at this": the bookish form of the stubborn "still". It sounds in the news and in disputes; in speech it is softened to "but still"
- แทน ที่ จะтхэн ти чаinstead ofLiterally "instead of that": the replace word, familiar from "replace". After it comes what was NOT done, and further — what was done
- ช่าง มันчаанг манwhatever; never mindLiterally "do not care about it": a colloquial brushing-off of a trifle. Do not confuse with the familiar "it is all right" — here it is rather "who cares"
- บัง เอิญбанг ёйнby chance; accidentallyLiterally "happened to coincide": the first word is to shield, the second is unexpected. A word of happy meetings: met by chance — and the day turned out well
- ตั้ง ใจтанг чайon purpose; deliberatelyLiterally "set the heart": deliberate is what was done with intent, not by chance. You have seen it already in "I did not mean to"
- ความ ล้ม เหลวкхуам лом лаоfailure; setbackLiterally "capsized": the fall sounds like the wind; the other word is empty and foundered. A failure for Thai is a boat that lay on its side; it can be raised
- ที ละ ขั้นти ла кхынstep by stepLiterally "by one step": the step is also in the level. Thai builds "step by step" by counting: one at a time, and so to the top
- ขั้น ตอนкхын тонorder of actions; stepsLiterally "steps-moments": the step and the moment-when. Any work Thai cuts into steps — and does one at a time
- ละเอียดлаиатin detail; thoroughlyOne word for "in detail", "neatly" and "finely": Thai counts detail as smallness laid out on shelves. "In more detail" will add the comparison
- ด้วย คำ ตัว เองдыай кхам туа энгin one's own wordsLiterally "with the words of one's own body": the word and the self — both familiar. To retell in one's own words is to assemble another's thought from one's own words
- พูด ง่ายๆпхут нгаайнгаайsimply put; to put it simplyLiterally "speak easily-easily": the easy doubled by the sign — so Thai softens both words and requests. The same device as in "calm-calm"
- ยก ตัว อย่างйок туа янгto give an exampleLiterally "lift the pattern": an example Thai "lifts", like a weight — the same lift as in lifting. The pattern is the sample; the body here is not a ticket but an instance
- ทำ ให้ ดู หน่อยтхам хай дуу нойshow how it is doneLiterally "make it so that one looks a little": the look and the softener. Instead of "how it is done" Thai asks to show the deed itself
- เข้าใจ ไหมкхаочай майis it clear?; understood?Literally "entered the heart or not?": this is how a teacher asks after an explanation. The question particle at the end turns anything into a question — you ask with it every day
- ตอน นี้ เข้าใจ แล้วтон ний кхаочай лаэоnow I understandLiterally "at this period understood already": "now" Thai says as "at this time". The phrase is the answer of one whose explanation has finally entered the heart
- งงнгонгI am confused; I got lost (in a topic)One short syllable — and the whole confusion: it is said when the head goes round. A colloquial word Thais love: short, honest and without offense
- นึก ออกнык оокto remember; to recallLiterally "surface outward": a recollection Thai pulls outward — with the same go-out as leaving the house. "Ah, remembered!" — and the face lights up
- ลืมлымto forgetOne syllable, a mid tone. "Forgot a thing" and "forgot a person" — one verb; the forgetful one Thai calls an addict of forgetting
- ความ ตั้ง ใจкхуам танг чайintention; resolveLiterally "settledness of the heart": set-heart — "deliberately, with earnestness" — is yours; the frame makes it an intention. Thai keeps intention in the heart, not the head
- เปลี่ยน ใจплиан чайto change one's mindLiterally "change the heart": the decision lives in the heart, and to change it is one move — with the same change as in changing the color. Changing one's mind is not shameful; Thais do it constantly
- ตาม แผนтаам пхэнeverything goes as plannedLiterally "follow the plan": the follow pulls both the road and the design with one word. Thai adds the "everything" itself: "everything follows the plan" — and it is said often
- ถ้า ทำ ได้тхаа тхам даайif it works outThe if is the gate for all conditions, from the connectors lesson; "it works out" Thai says through "do-can" — the same as "permitted". The Thai "if it works out" promises less than the English — and keeps more
- ยัง คิด อยู่янг кхит юI have not decided yetLiterally "still think sitting": the incompleteness Thai holds with the pair still-and-ongoing — "still in process". When decided, it will say so separately; for now it simply thinks
- ทุก อย่าง เปลี่ยน ไปтхук янг плиан пайeverything has changedLiterally "everything changed-gone": the go at the end carries the change to its end, as in "left". The same everything as in "everything is fine", only now everything is different
- ดี ขึ้นди кхынfor the betterLiterally "good rises": what improves grows upward in Thai — the same rise as in prices. The English "for the better" is simply "became better"
- แย่ ลงйэ лонгfor the worseLiterally "worse descends": what rose "for the better" descends "for the worse" — the same down as in landing. A neat pair, like a staircase down
- เป็น ของпен кхонгto belong (to)Literally "to be of someone": the be and the of-thing are both yours. Belonging is not a verb of its own — the Thai says plainly "the thing is yours"
- ของ คน อื่นкхонг кхон ныэнsomeone else's; another'sLiterally "of another person": the other serves for different and the rest alike. There is no separate word "foreign" — the Thai simply says whose thing it is
- ของ ทุก คนкхонг тхук кхонshared; commonLiterally "belongs to everyone": the shared is not named apart — the Thai says honestly whose thing it is. A shared kitchen, a shared bill — all "of everyone"
- ผลักпхалакto pushOne verb for push, shove and push out: the crowd shoves, the water pushes out, the door is pushed. Do not confuse with the pull — that is its opposite
- ดึงдынгto pullTo pull toward yourself: this is what you do with a door that opens inward. Thai doors say it right on them: one word for pull, the other for push
- ตีтииto hit; to strikeTo beat and to knock: the same word as in beating eggs. A ball is hit, a nail is driven, a drum is beaten — one verb for all the blows
- เมตรмиитmeterOne syllable with a long "ii": "miit". After a number the measure never changes: one meter and five meters sound evenly alike
- เซนติเมตรсентимиитcentimeterThree chunks: "sen-ti-miit". On a ruler and in a tailor shop this word sounds more often than any other
- กิโลเมตรкиломиитkilometerLiterally "kilo-meter": the distance counts in kilos. In speech Thais often shorten it to just the kilo — for weight too
- ลิตรлитliterThe final consonant is not heard — it ends as "lit". On the bottle of milk and of oil this is exactly the measure
- กรัมкрамgramOne syllable: "kram". In recipes and on the market scales it is the chief count of small things — what pepper and flour are weighed in
- น้ำ หนักнам накweightLiterally "water of heaviness": weight the Thai measures as heaviness that presses. To lose weight is to "let the heaviness down"
- ความ ยาวкхуам йаоlengthThe frame puts a name on the familiar "long": length is "longness". The same link will give width, height and depth next
- ความ กว้างкхуам кваангwidthFrom the familiar "wide". In apartment listings the width comes first, then the length
- ความ สูงкхуам суунгheightFrom "high". A person's height is also this word: one question serves both the mountain and the man
- ความ ลึกкхуам лыкdepthFrom "deep". At the pool and on the sign by the water it is written with exactly this word — depth with a warning
- ประมาณпрамаанapproximately; aboutIt stands before the number the way "about" does: about five hundred people. No verb is needed with it
- เกือบкыапalmost; nearlyIt stands right before the word: almost everyone, almost all. One word covers every "almost"
- พอดีпходиexactly; just rightLiterally "enough to fit": it landed exactly in the measure. Exactly five, just in time — it goes before the number
- โดย เฉลี่ยдои чалиаon averageLiterally "by means of smoothing": average it out and you get the mean. This is how counts are run in summaries and reports
- สอง เท่าсонг таоtwice; doubleLiterally "two measures": the measure is a multiplier. Thrice is three of it; twice as expensive is expensive by two measures
- ตัว เลขтуа лекdigit; numeralLiterally "body of the number": the number is number at large, and the body turns it into a sign. Digits and numbers the Thai separates honestly
- หนึ่ง ใน สี่нынг наи сиa quarter; one fourthLiterally "one of four": a fraction the Thai describes honestly so. A half has its own word; a third is "one in three"
- ชั่งчангto weighOne syllable with a tone: what the market seller does with the scales. Do not confuse in writing with the master — different tone, different syllable
- เกิน มาгын маextra; surplusLiterally "exceeds much": what is beyond the measure. Excess weight takes the same exceeding verb
- เปล่าплаоempty; blankThis is the same word that answered shortly "nothing" in conversation: an empty glass is a glass of it. One spelling covers emptiness and refusal
- เลี่ยงлиангto avoidOne syllable: "liang" with a special tone — do not confuse by ear with the treat word. Avoiding the Thai sees as passing around the side
- ข้อ เท็จ จริงкхо тет джингfactLiterally "true point": the false and the true are both yours. A fact is a point that is not on the false side
- คำ ถามкхам тхаамquestion (matter)Literally "word of asking": the ask is yours already. A question as a subject is this compound, not the bare ask verb
- สำคัญсамкханimportantLiterally "has weight": the important in Thai is what weighs. You already met it in the important day and the guest of honor
- เชิง บวกчонг буакpositiveLiterally "plus side": the plus is the sign of addition. A positive answer, a plus on the account, a positive outlook — all one side
- เชิง ลบчонг лопnegativeLiterally "minus side": the minus subtracts. Its pair is the plus side: a test, a review and a mood can all be minused
- เทียบ กับтиап капcompared to; in comparison withLiterally "apply to": the applying lays one thing against another. Comparison in Thai is literally "hold it up next to"
- แบบ เดียว กันпэп диао канthe same; identicalLiterally "pattern one for both": the pattern is a sample, and the one is sole. "The same" in Thai comes from one cutting layout
- ข้อ ดีкхо диadvantage; plus pointLiterally "point good": the point is the one from the joint and the contract clause. Pros and cons the Thai writes in points
- ข้อ เสียкхо сияdisadvantage; drawbackLiterally "point spoiled": the spoiled is the one from broken. Its pair is the good point — together they are the pros and cons table
- ผล กระทบпон кратопconsequences; effectsLiterally "fruit that strikes": the striking brushes past. Consequences are the wave of the blow — they travel further than the deed
- คำ นึง ถึงкхам нынг тынгto take into account; to considerLiterally "word remember up to": to hold in the head while deciding. The Thai can account for a price and for another's heart alike
- น่า จะнаа чаprobably; most likelyLiterally "worth that it will": the worth frame is the one from "worth seeing". The Thai "probably" is a polite forecast
- ไม่ ต้อง สงสัยмай тонг сонгсайsurely; no doubtLiterally "no need to doubt": the doubting is to wonder. Thai certainty is phrased as the cancellation of doubt
- ความ น่า จะ เป็นкхуам наа ча пенprobability; likelihoodLiterally "the worthiness of being": the frame makes a name out of the "probably" phrase. Probability in Thai is derived from speech itself
- การ เดาкан даоguess; assumptionLiterally "a guessing": the guessing is a shot in the dark. The Thai assumption does not claim knowledge — it guesses honestly
- ดู เหมือน ว่าду мыан вааit seems that; looks likeLiterally "look alike that": the alike is yours already. The Thai conclusion is made by the eye, not the mind
- คงкхонгmust be; presumablyOne forecast word set before the verb: "must-have forgotten already". Beside it lives the two-syllable "probably" — the same thought, shorter
- ไม่ จริง หรือмай джинг рыэno way; it cannot beLiterally "not true, or?": the or at the end makes a question of disbelief. This is the response by which the Thai refuses to believe the news
- อย่าง น้อยйаанг нойat leastLiterally "at least a little": the little is your few word. The Thai floor of expectation is honestly named small
- ไม่ ว่า อย่างไรмай ваа янграйin any caseLiterally "no matter how": the how is the one you have heard in questions. Any case in Thai is closed with one phrase
- กัน เหนียวкан ниаоjust in caseLiterally "in advance against harm": the against defends, the sturdy holds. An umbrella in the bag on a clear day is exactly this
- สมมติ ว่าсамомти вааsuppose that; let us sayLiterally "assume that": the Thai does not bend the verb for the unreal — it says honestly "suppose". Then an ordinary sentence follows
- ด้วย เงื่อน ไข ว่าдыай ныэн кхай вааon condition thatLiterally "with the condition that": the condition is yours from the contract. Thai agreement always comes with a rider
- ถ้า แม้тха мэeven ifLiterally "if even": the even lives also in "although". The second half of the phrase receives the still — "all the same"
- งั้นнангthen; in that caseOne syllable: "nang" with a nasal ending. The colloquial "well then": a conclusion drawn from what the other person just said
- ไม่ งั้นмай нангor else; otherwiseLiterally "not then": the Thai warning is built from the negation of the conclusion. Do so, and "not-then" will happen
- ตอน นั้นтон нанat that time; back thenLiterally "at that stretch": the stretch is a span of time — the one from childhood. "Then" means in that span, not "therefore"
- เพื่อпхиаin order toOne syllable: "phia" — and the whole English "in order to" is covered. A kin of the friend word: a friend is one who is "for you"
- ราว กับ ว่าрао кап вааas ifLiterally "roughly as if": the roughly is approximate and "like" at once. A comparison with something that did not happen is built carefully
- แทน ที่тэн тиinstead ofLiterally "in place of what": the instead is a substitution, like a piece on a board. You saw the longer form with the frame — here the same business in two words
- โดย หลักдои лакmainly; mostlyLiterally "by the main": the main is a foundation and a pillar. "Mostly" the Thai describes as work along the main line
- โดย ปกติдои покатиas a rule; usuallyLiterally "by the ordinary": the ordinary is the usual state you know. The Thai rule is the habitual, not an edict
- เกือบ ทุก คนкыап тхук кхонalmost everyoneLiterally "almost every person": the almost from this very unit plus the familiar everyone. Sets are counted in Thai without any plural form
- ข้อ ยก เว้นкхо йок вэнexceptionLiterally "point lifted out": the same point as in pros and cons. A Thai exception is crossed out of the list
- เป็น ต้นпен тонand so on; etceteraLiterally "being the beginning": having listed three things, the Thai puts a dot and says "and so on, and the like". In writing it is shortened to the double mark
- ต่าง จากтаанг джакdifferent from; unlikeLiterally "differ from": the different and the from are both yours. A difference in Thai is the distance between two things
- ยก เว้นйок вэнexceptLiterally "lift and set aside": the lifting raises. The exception in Thai is what was taken out of the common list
- ไม่ ค่อยмай кхойnot really; not quiteLiterally "not especially": the especially is bit by bit. "Not quite" in Thai is "not at full strength", heard in every second conversation
- ประมาณ นั้นпрамаан нанmore or less; about thatLiterally "approximately that": the familiar about plus a pointing at what was said. More or less is collapsed into "around that"
- อย่าง ลำบากйаанг ламбаакwith difficulty; barelyLiterally "in a heavy manner": the heavy is hardship and need at once. With difficulty the Thai walks, sees and breathes — by one phrase
- น่า ลองнаа лонгworth tryingLiterally "worth trying": the worth frame is "deserving to be", and the try is yours. The Thai advice does not press — it invites
- ควร จะ ทำ แล้วкхуан ча тхам лаэоshould have (done)Literally "should have done already": the should and the already push the duty into the past. A retroactive reproach the Thai assembles from two words
- ดี ที่ สุดди ти сутbest of all; it is best toLiterally "good of the very end": the end-frame is the limit. Best in Thai is good driven all the way
- แย่ ที่ สุดйэ ти сутworst of allThe bad serves for bad and worse alike: the comparison takes the same word. Worst of all is the bad driven all the way
- โดย เร็ว ที่ สุดдои рэо ти сутas fast as possibleLiterally "quickly to the limit": the by is a preposition of means, and the fast is fast. The whole "as ... as possible" is assembled from three words
- เสีย เปล่าсия плаоin vain; for nothingLiterally "lost empty": the losing also breaks. In vain the Thai measures as a loss — what was spent does not come back
- จัด การ ได้джат кан даайto manage; to copeLiterally "arrange the business — it works": the arranging is the one from the delivery time. To cope in Thai is to bring the matter into order
- การ ลองкан лонгattempt; tryThe frame names the familiar try: an attempt is a trying turned event. The first attempt is the first time-count
- ก็ คือко кхыthat is; in other wordsLiterally "and is": the linking particle connects, and the is equates. The Thai explanation places the equals sign with the voice
- ปรากฏ ว่าпракот вааit turned out thatLiterally "it appeared that": the appearing shows itself, like an image in a developer tray. What was hidden comes out by itself
- เป็น ผล ให้пен пон хайas a resultLiterally "be the fruit giving": the fruit is result and fruit at once. The Thai outcome is a fruit that itself gives the next thing
- นำ ไป สู่нам пай сууto lead toLiterally "lead go toward": the toward serves for "to" and "into". A cause in Thai does not push — it leads by the hand
- ด้วย ความ ช่วย เหลือ จากдыай кхуам чуай лыа джакthanks toLiterally "by means of the help": the means is a preposition, and the help is help and rescue at once. Thai gratitude names the hands that helped
- ครั้ง เดียวкхранг диаоat the first try; in one goLiterally "one sole time": the time is the counter of tries, and the one is sole. "It worked on the first try" is said exactly so
- สอง ร้อยсонг ройtwo hundredNumber plus roi — the same scheme as the tens, and nothing else changes. Prices in baht are read in hundreds, and this is the most ordinary hundred of shop talk
- สาม ร้อยсам ройthree hundredSaam roi — three hundred. Thai created no separate words for hundreds: any number from two to nine simply goes in front of roi
- สี่ ร้อยси ройfour hundredSii roi — four hundred. People sidestep fours here: the unlucky sii drags along behind the hundred, and a fourth hundred is avoided in prices
- ห้า ร้อยха ройfive hundredHaa roi — five hundred. The row of hundreds is regular: after saam roi and sii roi nothing drops out and nothing changes
- หก ร้อยхок ройsix hundredHok roi — six hundred. Hok itself has a low tone and roi stretches in a mid tone — the border of the number is audible
- เจ็ด ร้อยджет ройseven hundredChet roi — seven hundred. The final t of chet stays unreleased, exactly as in sip
- แปด ร้อยпэт ройeight hundredPaet roi — eight hundred: the lucky paet paired with a hundred. Price tags show digits, but out loud the number is always read in full
- เก้า ร้อยкао ройnine hundredKao roi — nine hundred, the last hundred before phan, the thousand you already know. The numeral has the falling tone; khao "he" rises
- ที่ สี่ти сиfourthThe ordinal is thi plus the number — the fourth after the familiar "first" through "third". Fours are avoided in numbering: a hotel may have no fourth floor
- ที่ ห้าти хаfifthThi haa — the fifth. The ordinal follows the noun and changes nothing in it: wan thi haa — the fifth day
- ที่ หกти хокsixthThi hok — the sixth. The same thi as in "here" and in dates binds order everywhere: floors, days, buses
- ที่ เจ็ดти джетseventhThi chet — the seventh. In the Thai week the seventh day is Saturday, and Sunday opens the count anew
- ที่ แปดти пэтeighthThi paet — the eighth: the lucky number in order too. A bus number is always an ordinal with thi
- ที่ เก้าти каоninthThi kao — the ninth. It differs from the number only by the link: kao is "nine", thi kao is "ninth"
- ที่ สิบти сипtenthThi sip — the tenth. The row does not end at ten: further the same way — thi yi sip, the eleventh
- ที่ ร้อยти ройhundredthThi roi — the hundredth: the same link thi before "hundred". Page, house or day number one hundred is read with it too
- หรือрыэorStands between the two options and changes nothing: tea rue coffee. The tone rises — ho is a high-class consonant and the syllable ends on a rise
- ด้วยдыайtoo; alsoGoes at the very end of the phrase: "I am hungry too". The same word will later help you say "together" — duay kan
- แค่кхэonlyStands in front of a number or word and cuts it down: "only five minutes". The tone falls — the mai ek stroke over a live syllable
- แล้วлаэоalreadyThe same word closes an action in the past: "the rain laeo" — it has started. You have heard it in hundreds of phrases; here is the word itself. The tone is low
- ยังянгstill; yetThe partner of the familiar laeo: yang holds an action open, almost always with a "not" — yang mai ... is "not yet". The tone is mid
- เกิน ไปкын пайtoo (excessively)Literally "goes beyond" — it follows the quality: "hot too-much". This is how Thai speaks of a measure exceeded
- ด้วย กันдыай канtogetherThe familiar duay plus kan, "each other" — "also along with you". The phrase "let's go together" is three words you already know
- ไม่ ได้май дайmust not; can'tLiterally "it will not work" — a softer way to refuse than the word "forbid". The familiar dai is right there in the negative
- ควรкхуанshould"Must" softened into "it would be good": advice, not an order. The hard "must" is the familiar tong. The tone is mid, the syllable live
- ชีวิตчивитlifeIt arrived from Sanskrit, like half the bookish vocabulary. The final t is not released: chiwit, a mid tone
- อยากйаакto want (to do)To want an action: it stands before the next verb, unchanged. "To want a thing" Thai says otherwise — tong kan — but live speech runs on yak
- ได้дайcan; mayIt follows the verb and permits: pai dai — "one may go". Every Thai "I can" ends with it
- คำкхамwordBoth a word and the counting unit for words: kham nii — "this word". Do not confuse by ear with khao, "rice" — the difference is the tone and the beginning
- เรื่องрыангmatter; storyA matter, a question and a story at once: "what is it about?" is rueng arai. Thai will name both the plot of a film and the topic of a talk with it
- วิธีвитиway; methodHow exactly it is done: "this method is good". It often stands in instructions — withi tham — "the method of cooking"
- ง่ายнгаайeasyBoth "easy" and "simple": Thai keeps both senses in one word. The long vowel sets it apart from gao, "old"
- ไม่ ง่ายмай нгаайnot easy; hardLiterally "not easy": Thai often names the hard through the negation of the easy. The word yaak, "difficult", you know — it is about tasks and questions
- เพื่อ จะпхиа чаin order toPhia, "for the purpose of", you have met; before the goal verb Thais add the future marker cha: phia cha — in order to
- ถ้าтхааifThaa — if: the condition is put in the present or with the future cha, and Thai uses no "would" here; you have met it in the rain examples
- ระหว่าง ที่раваанг тиwhileYou have met khana thi, "at the time that"; people say "while" this way too: rawaang thi — literally "in the interval that ..."
- เนื่อง จากныанг джакsince; given thatLiterally "by reason of the fact that": a cause both sides have already accepted; a request often opens with it — since you are going to the shop anyway ...
- ขอ แค่кхо кхэas long as; if onlyKho, "I ask", you know, and khae is "only": "I ask only" — if only, the minimum you are asking for
- ดัง นั้นданг нанso; thereforeLiterally "sounds like that, hence": a conclusion — so, therefore; it opens the second sentence
- ระหว่างраваангbetweenRawaang — between: the bank between the post office and the shop. Add thi and you get "while", which you will meet in this very unit
- ราวๆраораоabout; approximatelyRaaw is "roughly", and the repeat curl ๆ doubles it: raaw raaw — about, approximately; read raoraaw
- แทนтхэнinstead ofThaen — instead of: tea instead of coffee. It also means "for, on behalf of" — to do something for another person
- ต่อ ต้านто таанagainst; opposed toTo, "onward, continue", you know; taan is "to resist"; together — to stand against, to be opposed
- ไร้райwithoutRai — without, devoid of: tea without milk, a house without doors
- สำหรับсамрапforSamrap — for: a present for you, a seat for two; it answers "for whom, for what"
- เกี่ยว กับкиао капabout; concerningKhiao khap — "relates to": about, concerning; khiao is "to touch upon" and khap is "with" — both parts you know
- หลัง จากланг джакafterLang is "back" and "behind" — you know it; jak is "from, out of"; together — after: after work, after dinner
- ช่วงчуангduringChuang is a stretch, a span of time: during the rain. "Between" — rawaang — Thais keep apart, for space
- เพราะпхроbecause ofPhro, "because", you have met; in front of a one-word cause it means "because of": rot tit is a traffic jam, "because of the jam" — phro rot tit
- รอบропaroundRop is both "circle" and "around": around the house, around the table. It is also a "round" — boxing rounds are counted with the same word
- ผ่านпаанthroughPhaan, "past, through", you have met; about a road and about time the same move means "through": pass through the market, in a week's time
- จาก ข้าง ในджак кхаанг наиfrom insideJak, "from", you know; "from inside" is "from the inner side": khang adds "from the side of", as in khang bon, "from above"
- แถว นี้тхэо нийnearby; around hereThaeo is "a row" — you know it; thaeo nii, "this row of streets", is nearby, around here
- ปัญหาпанхаproblemYou have met panha inside "the thing is"; the problem itself is panha, and "no problem" is mai mi panha
- มากмакveryYou have met mak as "a lot" and "much"; "very" is the same word AFTER the quality: di mak — very good
- ความ ช่วย เหลือкхуам чуай лыаhelp; assistanceThe verb chuai, "to help", you know; khwam turns the deed into a thing, and luea is "to remain": help — what is left behind. The ending reads luea
- มีмиthere is; there areYou know mii as "to have"; for existence Thai uses the same word after the place: "a market is nearby" — literally "nearby there-is"
How it sounds in a sentence
A word list is a blank. Conversation is made of sentences, and these are the ones the words fit into most often.
What is worth knowing about these words
ใช่ (чай) — yes. The answer to a "...isn't it?" question. It sounds exactly like the word for tea — the easiest memory hook there is. It does not attach to verbs: to "going?" Thai answers "going".
ไม่ ใช่ (май чай) — no. Literally "not so". It negates nouns and facts; verbs are negated differently — a plain mai in front of the word. In casual speech people also answer plao.
สบายดี (сабайди) — fine. Literally "comfortable". The standard full answer about yourself: sabai di khrap khopkhun — fine, thank you.
ไม่ค่อย สบาย (майкхой сабай) — not so well. Literally "not quite well". Thai avoids a flat "bad" about oneself and softens it; about illness the same move: mai sabai means "I am ill".
Test yourself
Recalling a spelling from meaning is harder than recognizing a familiar word — and therefore more useful.
- How do you say “yes” in Thai?
The answer to a "...isn't it?" question. It sounds exactly like the word for tea — the easiest memory hook there is. It does not attach to verbs: to "going?" Thai answers "going"
- How do you say “but” in Thai?
The colloquial "but", standing between phrases. A second "but", tae wa, is longer and even more colloquial; the difference is tempo, not meaning
- How do you say “queue; line” in Thai?
English queue. "To stand in line" is ro khiu — literally "wait queue". A word from Bangkok life: there is a queue everywhere here
- How do you say “old (of things)” in Thai?
Old about a thing. About a person it is not said — there is another word, gae. It argues with khao, "he", in tone and vowel length alone
- How do you say “thirteen” in Thai?
Ten plus saam. Every part stays audible inside the number: sip and saam do not fuse — Thai does not squeeze its numbers
How to learn the set instead of just reading it
Yes, no, good, bad, very. The small change of a language — and no sentence assembles without it.
A list is read in a minute and forgotten in a day. What works: hide the translation, try to recall, get it wrong — and come back to the same words tomorrow.
- Recalling beats re-reading. Covering the translation and trying to remember it does more than reading it ten more times.checked many timesAdesope, Trevisan & Sundararajan, 2017, Review of Educational Research 87(3) · 188 experiments, 272 comparisons. g = 0.61; against plain re-reading 0.51, against passive review 0.93.
- Study spread over days wins not only in experiments but in ordinary classrooms, with real students.checked many timesMawson & Kang, 2025, Behavioral Sciences 15(6):771 · 22 studies, d = 0.54 (confidence interval 0.31–0.77). The authors warn that individual studies disagree widely.
Frequently asked
How do you say “yes” in Thai?
«ใช่», read “чай”. The answer to a "...isn't it?" question. It sounds exactly like the word for tea — the easiest memory hook there is. It does not attach to verbs: to "going?" Thai answers "going". It is one of 309 words in the set “basic words” — the rest are in the table above.
How many basic words do you need to start?
The whole set on this page is 309 words, but there is no need to start with all of it: the words you will need in the next few days are enough. Take them a few at a time — five to seven new ones per session.