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VIDEO: Speaking Natural Thai

Wednesday February 2, 2022 by Mod Leave a Comment

BASIC THAI GRAMMAR : ต้อง /dtâwng/ VS ต้องการ /dtâwng-gaan/

I need a new phone.

He needs your help!

Which word do you use in the sentences above? Is it ต้อง /dtâwng/ or ต้องการ /dtâwng-gaan/

Both words translate “need, need to, have to”. These two words are often mixed up by Thai language learners. Let’s learn when to use each word in today!

THE PATTERN are:

ต้อง /dtâwng/ + verb ONLY! = need to/ must (obligation)

ต้องการ /dtâwng-gaan/ + noun or verb

 

Tips for Speaking Natural Thai:

In everyday life, Thai people commonly use the word ต้อง /dtâwng/ to tell that they need to get something or need to do something.

ต้องการ /dtâwng-gaan/ is a formal term so it is used in writing or in formal situations

 

Examples:

  • ต้อง /dtâwng/ + verb

ผมต้องไปทำงาน /pŏm dtâwng bpai tam-ngaan/

I have to go to work.

 

คุณต้องเรียนภาษาไทย/kun dtâwng rian paa-sa săa tai/

You need to learn to Thai.

 

คุณต้องเลิกสูบบุหรี่ /kun dtâwng lêrk sùub bù-rìi/

You need to quit smoking.

 

  • ต้องการ + noun or verb

มนุษย์ต้องการอากาศ /má-nút dtâwng-gaan aa-gàat/

Human need air.

 

ปลาต้องการน้ำ /bplaa dtâwng-gaan náam/

Fish need water.

 

Let’s have a look at these examples which are common mistakes:

  1. We need a car.

✅ เราต้องใช้รถ /rao dtâwng chái rót/

❌ เราต้องรถ /rao dtâwng rót/

 

2. I need a break.

Ok, you now following the rule:

ต้องการ + NOUN

So according to the grammar rule – you should say

ผม ต้องการ การพัก /pŏm dtâwng-gaan gaan pák/

It is grammartically correct BUT NO THAI EVER SAY IT THIS WAY, IT DOESN’T SOUND NATURAL!!

 

You can change to use ต้อง + verb => ผมต้องพัก /pŏm dtâwng  pák/

 

3. I need a new ATM card.

Repeat the rules:

  • ต้อง /dtâwng/ + verb
  • ต้องการ + noun or verb

ผมต้องการทำบัตร ATM ใหม่ /pŏm dtâwng-gaan bàt ATM mài/

It’s correct BUT it doesn’t sound natural for the spoken language.

 

Native speakers say this:

✅ ฉันต้องทำบัตร ATM ใหม่ /chán dtâwng tam bàt ATM mài/

(use ต้อง /dtâwng/ add the verb “ทำ /tam/ (to do, to make)” )

BE CAREFUL! Not to say

❌ ฉันต้องบัตร ATM ใหม่ /chán dtâwng bàt ATM mài/

 

4. Mom needs a new phone.

❌ แม่ต้องการโทรศัพท์ใหม่ /mâe dtâwng-gaan too-rá-sàp mài/

CORRECT BUT it doesn’t sound natural for the spoken language.

✅ แม่ต้องซื้อโทรศัพท์ใหม่ (spoken Thai)

/mâe dtâwng súe too-rá-sàp mài/

or

✅ แม่อยากได้โทรศัพท์ใหม่ (telling a desire)

/mâe yàak dâai too-rá-sàp mài/

 

  1. He needs our help!

❌เขาต้องการความช่วยเหลือ

/káo dtâwng-gaan kwaam chûai- lŭea /

It is correct but it sounds formal, not natural for the spoken language.

✅เขาอยากให้เราช่วย /káo yàak hâi rao chûai/

He wants us to help him.

 

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