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Essential Thai Phrases

The 50 phrases that actually come up in Thailand — at restaurants, in taxis, at markets, in emergencies. Each one has the Thai script, how to say it, and the right tone.

Printable cheat sheet at bottom of page

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

สวัสดี
sà-wàt-dii
Male: sà-wàt-dii kráp Female: sà-wàt-dii kâ
Hello / Goodbye
The most versatile phrase—used for greeting AND parting. Often accompanied by a wai (hands pressed together).
ขอบคุณ
kòp-kun
Male: kòp-kun kráp Female: kòp-kun kâ
Thank you
Add "mâak" (very much) for extra gratitude: kòp-kun mâak kráp/kâ
ใช่
châi
Polite male: kráp Polite female: kâ
Yes
Pro tip: Thais often just use kráp/kâ alone to mean "yes" in casual conversation
ไม่
mâi
Male: mâi kráp Female: mâi kâ
No / Not
The falling tone (mâi) is crucial—wrong tone changes the meaning completely
ขอโทษ
kŏr-tòot
Male: kŏr-tòot kráp Female: kŏr-tòot kâ
Excuse me / Sorry
Use to apologize OR to get someone's attention politely
ไม่เป็นไร
mâi-bpen-rai
You're welcome / No problem / It's okay
The Thai philosophy in three words—literally "it's nothing." You'll hear it constantly.

Numbers

Essential for shopping, ordering, and negotiating

๐ / 0
sǔun
Zero
๑ / 1
nùeng
One
๒ / 2
sŏrng
Two
๓ / 3
săam
Three
๔ / 4
sìi
Four
๕ / 5
hâa
Five
๖ / 6
hòk
Six
๗ / 7
jèt
Seven
๘ / 8
bpàet
Eight
๙ / 9
gâo
Nine
๑๐ / 10
sìp
Ten
๒๐ / 20
yîi-sìp
Twenty
๑๐๐
nùeng-rói
One hundred
๑๐๐๐
nùeng-pan
One thousand

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

ขอเมนูหน่อย
kŏr mee-nuu nòi
Male: kŏr mee-nuu nòi kráp Female: kŏr mee-nuu nòi kâ
Can I see the menu please?
"Nòi" (หน่อย) is a softener that makes requests more polite—use it liberally!
ขอสั่ง
kŏr sàng...
Example: kŏr sàng pàt tai kráp
I would like to order...
The polite, standard way to order. Follow with dish name.
มีอะไรแนะนำบ้าง
mii à-rai náe-nam bâang
Male: mii à-rai náe-nam bâang kráp Female: mii à-rai náe-nam bâang ká
What do you recommend?
Great way to discover local specialties and show you trust the restaurant
ไม่เผ็ด
mâi pèt
Not spicy
CRITICAL for sensitive palates! Add "lŏei" (เลย) for emphasis: mâi pèt lŏei = not spicy at all
เผ็ดนิดหน่อย
pèt nít-nòi
A little bit spicy
For those who want some heat but not Thai-level fire
อร่อย
à-ròi
Very delicious: à-ròi mâak
Delicious
Show appreciation to the chef—Thais love when foreigners compliment their food!
เช็คบิล
chék bin
Male: chék bin kráp Female: chék bin kâ
Check please / Bill please
Direct borrowing from English—universally understood in Thai restaurants
ขอน้ำหน่อย
kŏr nám nòi
Water please
In Thailand, water is often served in a pitcher on the table for free

Continue Learning: 4 More Essential Categories

Keep going — below you'll find the phrases for getting around, shopping, emergencies, and making friends:

  • Getting Around — Taxi phrases, directions, and navigation
  • Shopping & Bargaining — Market negotiation and pricing
  • Emergencies — Critical safety phrases
  • Social Phrases — Making friends and connections

Want them in your pocket on the trip? Get the printable cheatsheet by email:

The Thai phrases you'll actually use in Thailand

The phrases that actually get you understood — ordering food, taxis, prices, and getting help. Two printable pages for your trip.

You'll get the cheatsheet now. We'll only email you if we build Travel Thai — no spam, no sharing, one-click unsubscribe. See our privacy policy.

Getting Around

Navigate taxis, tuk-tuks, and giving directions

เท่าไหร่
tâo-rài
Male: tâo-rài kráp Female: tâo-rài ká
How much?
Your most valuable phrase for taxis and shopping. Memorize this one first!
ใช้มิเตอร์
chái mí-dtêr
Male: chái mí-dtêr kráp Female: chái mí-dtêr kâ
Use the meter please
Essential for Bangkok taxis—ensures fair pricing. If they refuse, find another taxi.
ไปที่...
bpai tîi...
Example: bpai tîi Siam kráp
Go to...
Follow with destination. Pro tip: Have address written in Thai on your phone.
จอดตรงนี้
jòrt dtrong-níi
Stop here
Tell the taxi/tuk-tuk driver where to stop
เลี้ยวซ้าย
lîeow sâai
Turn left
เลี้ยวขวา
lîeow kwăa
Turn right
ตรงไป
dtrong bpai
Go straight
...อยู่ไหน
...yùu năi
Example: hông-náam yùu năi kráp (Where is the bathroom?)
Where is...?

Shopping & Bargaining

Bargain at markets without overpaying

แพงเกินไป
paeng goen bpai
Male: paeng goen bpai kráp Female: paeng goen bpai kâ
Too expensive
Essential for market bargaining. Say with a smile—it's part of the game!
ลดราคาได้ไหม
lót raa-kaa dâi măi
Male: lót raa-kaa dâi măi kráp Female: lót raa-kaa dâi măi ká
Can you lower the price?
Direct bargaining phrase—very useful at markets (but not in malls)
ลดให้หน่อย
lót hâi nòi
Discount please / Give me a discount
Softer than asking "how much discount"—lets seller make an offer
เอา
ao
Male: ao kráp Female: ao kâ
I'll take it / I want this
ดูก่อน
duu gòrn
Just looking
Politely decline when vendors approach—they'll understand
ใจดีแต่ตังค์หมด
jai-dii dtàe dtang mòt
Kind heart but empty wallet
Playful phrase that often gets a laugh and sometimes a discount! Shows you know Thai culture.

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

ช่วยด้วย
chûay dûay
Help!
Shout this loudly in emergencies—Thais are generally very helpful to foreigners
ไม่เข้าใจ
mâi kâo-jai
Male: mâi kâo-jai kráp Female: mâi kâo-jai kâ
I don't understand
Say this with a smile—most Thais will try to help or find someone who speaks English
พูดไทยไม่ได้
pûut tai mâi dâi
Male: pûut tai mâi dâi kráp Female: pûut tai mâi dâi kâ
I can't speak Thai
กรุณาพูดช้าช้า
gà-ru-naa pûut cháa-cháa
Please speak slowly
ต้องการหมอ
dtông-gaan mŏr
I need a doctor
โรงพยาบาลอยู่ที่ไหน
rohng-pá-yaa-baan yùu tîi năi
Male: rohng-pá-yaa-baan yùu tîi năi kráp Female: rohng-pá-yaa-baan yùu tîi năi ká
Where is the hospital?
ตำรวจ
dtam-rùat
Police
Tourist police hotline: 1155 (English-speaking assistance)
อันตราย
an-dtà-raai
Dangerous

Social Phrases

Connect with locals and make friends

สบายดีไหม
sà-baai-dii măi
Male: sà-baai-dii măi kráp Female: sà-baai-dii măi ká
How are you?
Literally "Are you well?" Standard greeting after initial hello
สบายดี
sà-baai-dii
Male: sà-baai-dii kráp Female: sà-baai-dii kâ
I'm good / I'm well
ชื่อ...
chûu...
Male: pŏm chûu John kráp Female: chăn chûu Sarah kâ
My name is...
Men use "pŏm" (ผม), women use "chăn" (ฉัน) for "I/me"
คุณชื่ออะไร
kun chûu à-rai
Male: kun chûu à-rai kráp Female: kun chûu à-rai ká
What's your name?
คุณมาจากประเทศอะไร
kun maa jàak bprà-têt à-rai
Male: kun maa jàak bprà-têt à-rai kráp Female: kun maa jàak bprà-têt à-rai ká
Where are you from? (Which country?)
มาจากประเทศ...
maa jàak bprà-têt...
Example: maa jàak bprà-têt à-meh-rí-gaa (I'm from America)
I'm from...
ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก
yin-dii tîi dâi rúu-jàk
Male: yin-dii tîi dâi rúu-jàk kráp Female: yin-dii tîi dâi rúu-jàk kâ
Nice to meet you
แล้วพบกันใหม่
lâew póp-gan mài
See you later

Take These Phrases With You

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The Thai phrases you'll actually use in Thailand

The phrases that actually get you understood — ordering food, taxis, prices, and getting help. Two printable pages for your trip.

You'll get the cheatsheet now. We'll only email you if we build Travel Thai — no spam, no sharing, one-click unsubscribe. See our privacy policy.

Essential Thai Phrases Cheat Sheet

Essentials

สวัสดี sà-wàt-dii Hello/Goodbye
ขอบคุณ kòp-kun Thank you
ขอโทษ kŏr-tòot Sorry/Excuse me
ไม่เป็นไร mâi-bpen-rai No problem

Critical

เท่าไหร่ tâo-rài How much?
ไม่เผ็ด mâi pèt Not spicy
ไม่เข้าใจ mâi kâo-jai I don't understand
ช่วยด้วย chûay dûay Help!

Polite Particles

ครับ kráp/kâp Male polite ending
ค่ะ/คะ kâ/ká Female polite ending
Add to end of sentences for politeness! Note: ค่ะ (kâ, falling tone) is for statements; คะ (ká, high tone) is for questions.

Numbers 1-10

1 nùeng 2 sŏrng 3 săam 4 sìi 5 hâa 6 hòk 7 jèt 8 bpàet 9 gâo 10 sìp

Remember: Thai is tonal! Same word, different tone = different meaning. Always smile and add kráp (male) or kâ (female) for politeness.

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