VIDEO: Common Thai Mistakes You Never Noticed Before

In this lesson teacher Pear is talking about confusing Thai words. We have seen our students mix up these words often, so let’s clarify when to use the right word.

[1] The difference between the particles หน่อย /nòi/ and นะ  /ná/

[2] The confusing word “want”

There are two words for “want” in Thai which are “เอา /ao/” and “อยาก /yàak/”

Basically, we use:

เอา + noun and อยาก + verb

First, let’s talk about the word  “ อยาก /yàak/” which means “want to do something”

Let’s look at this sentence: “She wants a new bag. “

In Thai, we say  เขา อยาก ได้ กระเป๋า ใหม่ /káo yàak dâai grà-bpăo mài/

NOT เขา อยาก กระเป๋า ใหม่ /káo yàak grà-bpăo mài/ as อยาก /yàak/ is used with a VERB, so you need to add the word “ได้ /dâai/” which means “to get or receive”

 

*We use อยากได้ /yàak dâai/  for “want something in the near future”

 

The word เอา /ao/ means “I would like to have” is commonly used when you place order such as at a shop or a restaurant. You place order and get it immediately.

For example:

I would like a Chang beer = เอา เบียร์ ช้าง /ao bia cháang/

So if the waitress asks you “would you like some ice?” she also will use the word “ เอา /ao/” to ask เอา น้ำแข็ง ไหม /ao náam-kăeng mái?/

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ONLINE GROUP THAI LESSONS ON ZOOM:

If you would like to improve your Thai language skills and fix common mistakes to make yourself speak Thai like a native speaker, join my online group lessons on ZOOM.  Get assessment test at adjima_t@hotmail.com or find more details here. I hope to see you in my class.