Thai Noun for Beginner_01 Flashcards
I (female)
chán - ฉัน
If you read Thai script, follow the tone rules. The word ฉัน has a rising tone, but in casual speech, Thais often use a high tone. That’s why the phonetic guide marks it as high. In casual texting, some Thais also spell it as ชั้น, even though it’s incorrect, because it matches the way they pronounce it.
I (male)
phǒm - ผม
You / Title (mr, ms, miss, mrs)
khun - คุณ
He / She
kháw - เขา
Actually, Thai does differentiate between ‘he’ and ‘she.’ The word เขา (kháw) refers to ‘he,’ while เธอ (thəə) means ‘she.’ However, in casual conversation, Thais often use เขา (kháw) for both.
If you read Thai script, follow the tone rules. The word เขา has a rising tone, but in casual speech, Thais often use a high tone. That’s why the phonetic guide marks it as high. In casual texting, some Thais also spell it as เค้า, even though it’s incorrect, because it matches the way they pronounce it.
We, us
raw - เรา
We, us, all of us
phûak raw - พวกเรา
พวก (phûak) means “group of someone or something.”
For example:
พวกเขา (phûak kháw) - group of he/she - they
พวกนักเรียน (phûak nák·rian) - group of students
female
phûu·yǐŋ - ผู้หญิง
male
phûu·chaay - ผู้ชาย
food
ʔaa·hǎan - อาหาร
restaurant
ráan ʔaa·hǎan - ร้านอาหาร
The word “ร้าน (ráan)” is a prefix in Thai that means “shop.”
So, when you see “ร้าน (ráan)” in front of a word, it indicates a shop that sells something.
For example:
ร้านกาแฟ (ráan kaafɛɛ) = A shop selling coffee = cafe
[ร้าน (ráan) = shop + กาแฟ (kaafɛɛ) = coffee]
rice
khâaw - ข้าว
breakfast
khâaw cháaw - ข้าวเช้า
lunch
khâaw klaaŋ·wan - ข้าวกลางวัน
dinner
khâaw yen - ข้าวเย็น
coffee
kaafɛɛ - กาแฟ
tea
chaa - ชา
fruit
phǒn·la·máay - ผลไม้
language
phaa·sǎa - ภาษา
country
pra·thêet - ประเทศ
Bangkok
kruŋ·thêep - กรุงเทพฯ
name
chɨ̂ɨ - ชื่อ
people, human
khon - คน
teacher
khruu - ครู
ครู (khruu) refers to a teacher, usually at the primary or secondary school level.
teacher
High level teacher, more formal and respectful
ʔaa·caan - อาจารย์
อาจารย์ (ʔaa·caan) is used for teachers at a higher level, such as university professors or specialized instructors.
It carries a more formal and respectful tone, often used for people who are considered experts in their field or who teach in higher education.
doctor
mɔ̌ɔ - หมอ
nurse
pha·yaa·baan - พยาบาล
hospital
rooŋ pha·yaa·baan - โรงพยาบาล
The word “โรง” (rooŋ) is a prefix in Thai that means “building, facility.”
The word “พยาบาล” (pha·yaa·baan) means “nurse, nursing.”
So, when you see “โรง” (rooŋ) in front of a word, it indicates a place used for a specific purpose.
For example:
โรงเรียน (rooŋ rian) = A building for studying = school
[ โรง (rooŋ) = building + เรียน (rian) = to study]
This means that โรง (rooŋ) identifies the type of building, while the second part of the word describes its specific function or activity.
businessperson
nák thú·rá·kìt - นักธุรกิจ
The word “นัก” (nák) is a prefix in Thai that means “a person who does something.”
For example:
นักเรียน (nák rian) = A person who studies = student
[นัก (nák) = a person who does + เรียน (rian) = to study]
นักบิน (nák bin) = A person who flies = pilot
[นัก (nák) = a person who does + บิน (bin) = to fly]
So, whenever you see “นัก (nák)” in front of a word, it usually means “a person who does” that action.
