Essential Thai Phrases
Master the phrases that will transform your Thai experience. Hand-crafted by language experts with accurate pronunciation, cultural context, and real-world usage notes.
Critical Cultural Note
Thai is a tonal language with 5 distinct tones that change word meanings entirely. The same syllable can mean different things depending on tone. Learn about Thai tones →
Politeness particles are essential: men add ครับ (kráp) to show respect. Women use ค่ะ (kâ) for statements and คะ (ká) for questions. Thais deeply appreciate foreigners who use these particles.
Greetings & Basics
The foundation of polite Thai communication
Numbers
Essential for shopping, ordering, and negotiating
Number System Note: Thai uses both Arabic numerals (0-9) and traditional Thai numerals (๐-๙). You'll see Arabic numerals most commonly, but Thai numerals appear in government documents and traditional contexts. By learning just 1-10, you can count into the millions—the system is beautifully logical!
At Restaurants
Navigate Thai dining with confidence
Getting Around
Navigate taxis, tuk-tuks, and giving directions
Shopping & Bargaining
Navigate markets like a pro
Bargaining Culture: Bargaining is expected at markets and street vendors but NOT in malls, supermarkets, or restaurants. Start around 40% less than the asking price. Always smile and keep it light—it's a friendly negotiation, not a confrontation. The walk-away tactic works wonders!
Emergencies
Essential phrases for urgent situations
Social Phrases
Connect with locals and make friends
Printable Quick Reference
Save or print this cheat sheet for your trip to Thailand
Essential Thai Phrases Cheat Sheet
Essentials
Critical
Polite Particles
Numbers 1-10
Ready to Master Thai?
These phrases are just the beginning. Jam Kham uses spaced repetition and real-world context to help you achieve fluency faster than traditional methods.