Understanding Our Romanization System
How we write Thai sounds using the Roman alphabet—and why it matters for your learning.
What is Romanization?
Romanization is the process of representing Thai sounds using the Roman (Latin) alphabet—the same letters you're reading right now. Since Thai uses its own unique script with 44 consonants and numerous vowel combinations, romanization helps learners:
- Pronounce words before learning to read Thai script
- Remember pronunciations when studying vocabulary
- Understand tone patterns at a glance
- Bridge the gap between familiar letters and new sounds
Our Romanization System
We use a system inspired by the Paiboon romanization method, widely considered one of the most learner-friendly approaches to Thai. Our key features:
Tone Diacritics
Every syllable shows its tone using accent marks on vowels (à, â, á, ǎ)—you always know how to pitch your voice.
Unique Consonant Pairs
Special combinations like "bp" and "dt" represent Thai's unaspirated stops—sounds that don't exist in English.
International Compatibility
Uses standard Unicode characters that display correctly on any device, anywhere in the world.
Consistent Rules
The same sound is always written the same way. No guessing, no exceptions—learn once, apply everywhere.
Tone Marks Explained
Thai has 5 tones that change word meanings. We show each tone using a diacritic (accent mark) on the main vowel of each syllable.
Flat, neutral pitch. Your normal speaking voice.
Start low and stay low. Relaxed, descending slightly.
Start high, drop sharply. The most dramatic tone.
High pitch throughout, may rise slightly at the end.
Dip down first, then rise up. A distinctive swoop.
Quick Reference
These marks work with any vowel: è, ê, é, ě, ì, î, í, ǐ, ò, ô, ó, ǒ, ù, û, ú, ǔ, etc.
Consonant Representations
Thai has some consonant sounds that don't exist in English. Here's how we represent them.
Stops (Unaspirated)
Stops (Aspirated)
Nasals
Other Consonants
Affricates & Fricatives
Vowel Representations
Thai has a rich vowel system with distinctions in length and quality. Here's how we represent common vowels.
Simple Vowels
Other Vowels
Diphthongs (Vowel Combinations)
Romanization in Action
See how common Thai words look in our romanization system.
Why We Use This System
Precision
Every syllable's tone is marked. No guessing, no memorizing separate tone information—it's right there in the spelling.
Readability
The system uses familiar letters and intuitive combinations. If you can read English, you can read our romanization.
Consistency
Unlike some systems that use the same letter for different sounds, ours maintains a one-to-one mapping wherever possible.
Universal Display
Uses standard Unicode characters that render correctly on phones, computers, and any modern device worldwide.
Important Limitations
Romanization is a powerful learning tool—but it has its limits. Understanding these will help you use it wisely.
It's an approximation
No romanization perfectly captures Thai sounds. Some Thai sounds simply don't exist in English, and letters can only hint at the true pronunciation. Always prioritize listening to native speakers.
Thai speakers don't use it
Romanization exists for learners. In Thailand, everything is written in Thai script. Signs, menus, messages—all Thai. You'll eventually need to learn to read Thai.
Multiple systems exist
Different books, apps, and websites use different romanization systems. What we write as "mâi" might be "mai" or "may" elsewhere. This can be confusing when using multiple resources.
It's a bridge, not a destination
Use romanization to get started, but work toward reading Thai script. Script reading unlocks true fluency and independence in your Thai journey.
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- Free during beta. No credit card required.
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Jam Kham uses this romanization system throughout our flashcards and lessons. Start learning Thai today.
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