What should I know about language help in Thailand?

Culture note · chapter 19 of 34

Language Help: what a phrasebook leaves out

The context beside the words in chapter 19. Learn what the situation asks of you, as well as what to say.

When lost, พูดช้าๆ ได้ไหม (please speak slowly) and ไม่เข้าใจ (I don't understand) are lifesavers. Thais appreciate the effort enormously.

พูดช้าๆ ได้ไหมphôot cháa cháa dâi mǎi

Can you speak slowly?

พูดอีกครั้งได้ไหมphôot èek khráng dâi mǎi

Can you say it again?

ไม่เข้าใจmâi khâo jai

I don't understand

เข้าใจแล้วkhâo jai láeo

I understand now

แปลว่าอะไรbpaen wâa à rai

What does it mean?

พูดไทยได้นิดหน่อยphôot thai dâi nít nòi

I can speak a little Thai

พูดไทยไม่ได้phôot thai mâi dâi

I can't speak Thai

เรียนภาษาไทยrian phaa sǎa thai

I'm learning Thai

These come from chapter 19 of the course, where the full word list and audio live.

ค่อยๆ พูดก็ได้ khoi khoi phuut ko daiSlowly is fine

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