16 Thai Particles
Particles for requests, to express moods, soften harsh replies, etc.
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· published July 11, 2021
Overview
In this section, we list particles grouped by function.
In the following sections, we look at each particle in more detail (in alphabetic order of their transcription).
Particles for requests
In the following sections, we look at each particle in more detail (in alphabetic order of their transcription).
Particles for requests
- ด้วย request word; also, too
See in Dictionary - used for polite requests, apologies, cries for help - น่ะ when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary / น่า when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary - "oh, come on, ..." - used when trying to persuade someone. - หน่อย a little; please (for a simple favor)
See in Dictionary - "a little" used for polite requests - ซี่ teeth; insistent request / command
See in Dictionary - commands / forceful requests - สิ for emphasis
See in Dictionary / ซิ polite request
See in Dictionary - polite request. Need to be followed by a polite particle - ที just this time (polite request)
See in Dictionary - "just this time" used for polite requests - เถอะ let's
See in Dictionary / เถิด let's
See in Dictionary / เหอะ let's
See in Dictionary - "Let's ...", "Why don't you/we ..." trying to press or push someone to do something.
Particles for emphasis
- อีกละ indicates mild irritation
See in Dictionary - indicates mild irritation - ไง how; as a response, when the responder thinks the statement is obvious/self-evident
See in Dictionary - as a response, when the responder thinks the statement is obvious/self-evident. - หรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionary - as a response, when contradicting the addressee's beliefs. Softens the response.
In positive statements หรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionary indicates hesitation, sarcasm or annoyance. - ซี C (Thai transcription of the English letter 'C'); insistent request / command
See in Dictionary - emphasize positive responses or soften negative responses.
Other Particles
- ละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary - indicates state changes or situations about to change - นะ polite particle
See in Dictionary - "..., right?" - makes a sentence/command milder, by seeking approval.
นะ polite particle
See in Dictionary is also used when asking to repeat something
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ด้วย
ด้วย request word; also, too
See in Dictionary is used for polite requests, apologies, cries for help
See in Dictionary is used for polite requests, apologies, cries for help
Examples
Sorry!
ขอโทษ excuse me; sorry
See in Dictionaryด้วย request word; also, too
See in Dictionary
Literally: Excuse me - polite request
The bill, please
เช็คบิล the bill, please, check, please (asking for the bill in a restaurant)
See in Dictionaryด้วย request word; also, too
See in Dictionary
Literally: bill please - polite request
Help!
ช่วย help
See in Dictionaryด้วย request word; also, too
See in Dictionary
Literally: help - request
ขอโทษ excuse me; sorry
See in Dictionaryด้วย request word; also, too
See in Dictionary
Literally: Excuse me - polite request
The bill, please
เช็คบิล the bill, please, check, please (asking for the bill in a restaurant)
See in Dictionaryด้วย request word; also, too
See in Dictionary
Literally: bill please - polite request
Help!
ช่วย help
See in Dictionaryด้วย request word; also, too
See in Dictionary
Literally: help - request
อีกละ
อีกละ indicates mild irritation
See in Dictionary ("again") indicates mild irritation that something happens again.
See in Dictionary ("again") indicates mild irritation that something happens again.
Examples
(She) came (back) again.
มา come, arrive
See in Dictionaryอีกละ indicates mild irritation
See in Dictionary
Literally: come - irritated: again
(It is) her again.
เธอ she; you
See in Dictionaryอีกละ indicates mild irritation
See in Dictionary
Literally: she - irritated: again
มา come, arrive
See in Dictionaryอีกละ indicates mild irritation
See in Dictionary
Literally: come - irritated: again
(It is) her again.
เธอ she; you
See in Dictionaryอีกละ indicates mild irritation
See in Dictionary
Literally: she - irritated: again
ละ
ละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary can indicate two things:
See in Dictionary can indicate two things:
- a situation is about to change. For this use it can also be combined with จะ will (in the future)
See in Dictionary ("will") - a certain state has been reached
Examples
I am (about to) go home.
ฉัน I (for women; informal)
See in Dictionaryกลับ return, go back
See in Dictionaryบ้าน house, home
See in Dictionaryละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary
Literally: I - return - home - about to
ฉัน I (for women; informal)
See in Dictionaryกลับ return, go back
See in Dictionaryบ้าน house, home
See in Dictionaryละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary
Literally: I - return - home - about to
(I am about to) go.
จะ will (in the future)
See in Dictionaryไป go; too
See in Dictionaryละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary
Literally: will - go - about to
(I am about to) go.
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary
Literally: go - about to
(That is) correct.
ถูก cheap; correct; touch
See in Dictionaryละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary
Literally: correct - state reached
(That is) good.
ดี good
See in Dictionaryละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary
Literally: good - state reached
(That is) enough.
พอ when, as soon as; enough
See in Dictionaryละ per; indicates state changes or situations about to change
See in Dictionary
Literally: enough - state reached
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นะ
นะ polite particle
See in Dictionary has multiple functions:
See in Dictionary has multiple functions:
- it is a polite particle (see this article)
- "..., right?" or "..., ok?" - makes a sentence/command milder, by seeking approval.
- ", again?", "...come again?" - used when asking to repeat something
Examples
What (was that again)?
อะไร what; whatever
See in Dictionaryนะ polite particle
See in Dictionary
Literally: What - again?
Who (was that again)?
ใคร who; who
See in Dictionaryนะ polite particle
See in Dictionary
Literally: Who - again?
(I am) going, ok?
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryนะ polite particle
See in Dictionary
Literally: Going - ok?
Don't tell (it to anyone), ok?
อย่า do not, don't
See in Dictionaryบอก tell, inform
See in Dictionaryนะ polite particle
See in Dictionary
Literally: Don't - tell - ok?
อะไร what; whatever
See in Dictionaryนะ polite particle
See in Dictionary
Literally: What - again?
Who (was that again)?
ใคร who; who
See in Dictionaryนะ polite particle
See in Dictionary
Literally: Who - again?
(I am) going, ok?
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryนะ polite particle
See in Dictionary
Literally: Going - ok?
Don't tell (it to anyone), ok?
อย่า do not, don't
See in Dictionaryบอก tell, inform
See in Dictionaryนะ polite particle
See in Dictionary
Literally: Don't - tell - ok?
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น่ะ / น่า
The particles น่ะ when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary / น่า when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary are used when trying to persuade someone. (similar to the English "Come on, ...")
See in Dictionary / น่า when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary are used when trying to persuade someone. (similar to the English "Come on, ...")
น่ะ when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary is also used to indicate the topic of a sentence (similar to the English "ok", or "right").
Examples
(My) parents, right, (they) don't do anything.
พ่อแม่ parents
See in Dictionaryน่ะ when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionaryไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryทำ do, make, cook
See in Dictionaryอะไร what; whatever
See in Dictionary
Literally: parents - right - not - do - whatever
Come on, just "take" it.
เอา take
See in Dictionaryน่า when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary
Literally: take - trying to persuade
Note: this sentence means "Cool down.", "Let it go." or "Just accept the facts."
Explanation: เอา take
See in Dictionary ("take") has the meaning of "accept".
พ่อแม่ parents
See in Dictionaryน่ะ when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionaryไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryทำ do, make, cook
See in Dictionaryอะไร what; whatever
See in Dictionary
Literally: parents - right - not - do - whatever
Come on, just "take" it.
เอา take
See in Dictionaryน่า when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary
Literally: take - trying to persuade
Note: this sentence means "Cool down.", "Let it go." or "Just accept the facts."
Explanation: เอา take
See in Dictionary ("take") has the meaning of "accept".
Come on, don't go.
ไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryไป go; too
See in Dictionaryน่า when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary
Literally: No - go - trying to persuade
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หน่อย
หน่อย a little; please (for a simple favor)
See in Dictionary means "a little". It is used for polite requests.
See in Dictionary means "a little". It is used for polite requests.
Examples
Can (you) please speak slower?
พูด speak, talk
See in Dictionaryช้าช้า slow down
See in Dictionaryหน่อย a little; please (for a simple favor)
See in Dictionaryได้ can; get
See in Dictionaryไหม yes/no question
See in Dictionary
Literally: speak - slower - polite request - can - question
Can (I) please have a look?
ขอ ask for (polite)
See in Dictionaryดู watch, look
See in Dictionaryหน่อย a little; please (for a simple favor)
See in Dictionary
Literally: ask for - look - polite request
Please turn off the light.
ช่วย help
See in Dictionaryปิด close
See in Dictionaryไฟ fire, light
See in Dictionaryหน่อย a little; please (for a simple favor)
See in Dictionary
Literally: Please - turn off - light - polite request
พูด speak, talk
See in Dictionaryช้าช้า slow down
See in Dictionaryหน่อย a little; please (for a simple favor)
See in Dictionaryได้ can; get
See in Dictionaryไหม yes/no question
See in Dictionary
Literally: speak - slower - polite request - can - question
Can (I) please have a look?
ขอ ask for (polite)
See in Dictionaryดู watch, look
See in Dictionaryหน่อย a little; please (for a simple favor)
See in Dictionary
Literally: ask for - look - polite request
Please turn off the light.
ช่วย help
See in Dictionaryปิด close
See in Dictionaryไฟ fire, light
See in Dictionaryหน่อย a little; please (for a simple favor)
See in Dictionary
Literally: Please - turn off - light - polite request
ไง
ไง how; as a response, when the responder thinks the statement is obvious/self-evident
See in Dictionary actually means "how" (see this article). But is also used with the following meanings:
See in Dictionary actually means "how" (see this article). But is also used with the following meanings:
- as a response, when the responder thinks the statement is obvious/self-evident.
- "here you are", when giving something to someone.
Examples
Here it is. Right here!
นี่ this; here
See in Dictionaryไง how; as a response, when the responder thinks the statement is obvious/self-evident
See in Dictionary. อยู่ is (located at); live (at); happening now
See in Dictionaryตรงนี้ right here, here
See in Dictionaryเอง by oneself
See in Dictionary
Literally: this - obviously - be - right here - just
นี่ this; here
See in Dictionaryไง how; as a response, when the responder thinks the statement is obvious/self-evident
See in Dictionary. อยู่ is (located at); live (at); happening now
See in Dictionaryตรงนี้ right here, here
See in Dictionaryเอง by oneself
See in Dictionary
Literally: this - obviously - be - right here - just
Here you are. (Spoken by a male speaker)
นี่ this; here
See in Dictionaryไง how; as a response, when the responder thinks the statement is obvious/self-evident
See in Dictionaryล่ะ in a question: pushing for an answer; in a statement: indicates mild irritation
See in Dictionaryครับ polite word for men
See in Dictionary
Literally: this - here you are - emphasis - polite particle for male speakers
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หรอก
หรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionary has two functions:
See in Dictionary has two functions:
- as a response, it is used when contradicting the addressee's beliefs. It softens the response.
- in positive statements หรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionary indicates hesitation, sarcasm, or annoyance.
Examples
(There is) no need. (E.g. as a response to an offer)
ไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryต้อง must
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionary
Literally: no - must - softens response
Buyer: (It is) very expensive.
แพง expensive
See in Dictionaryมาก very, a lot, many
See in Dictionary
Literally: expensive - very
Seller: (It is) not expensive
ไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryแพง expensive
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionaryครับ polite word for men
See in Dictionary
Literally: not - expensive - softens response - polite particle
(That is) not right.
ไม่ใช่ no
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionaryค่ะ polite word for women
See in Dictionary
Literally: no - softens response - polite particle
That is right, but (...)
นั่น that / there
See in Dictionaryก็ also; as a result, subsequently
See in Dictionaryจริง really; true, authentic, genuine
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionaryแต่ but; only
See in Dictionary ...
Literally: that - also - true - hesitation - but
(Mildly annoyed): I can speak myself!
ฉัน I (for women; informal)
See in Dictionaryพูด speak, talk
See in Dictionaryได้ can; get
See in Dictionaryเอง by oneself
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionary
Literally: I - speak - can - myself - annoyance
ไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryต้อง must
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionary
Literally: no - must - softens response
Buyer: (It is) very expensive.
แพง expensive
See in Dictionaryมาก very, a lot, many
See in Dictionary
Literally: expensive - very
Seller: (It is) not expensive
ไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryแพง expensive
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionaryครับ polite word for men
See in Dictionary
Literally: not - expensive - softens response - polite particle
(That is) not right.
ไม่ใช่ no
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionaryค่ะ polite word for women
See in Dictionary
Literally: no - softens response - polite particle
That is right, but (...)
นั่น that / there
See in Dictionaryก็ also; as a result, subsequently
See in Dictionaryจริง really; true, authentic, genuine
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionaryแต่ but; only
See in Dictionary ...
Literally: that - also - true - hesitation - but
(Mildly annoyed): I can speak myself!
ฉัน I (for women; informal)
See in Dictionaryพูด speak, talk
See in Dictionaryได้ can; get
See in Dictionaryเอง by oneself
See in Dictionaryหรอก softens a negative statement
See in Dictionary
Literally: I - speak - can - myself - annoyance
ซี่
ซี่ teeth; insistent request / command
See in Dictionary is used for commands or forceful requests.
See in Dictionary is used for commands or forceful requests.
Examples
Sit (down)!
นั่ง sit
See in Dictionaryซี่ teeth; insistent request / command
See in Dictionary
Literally: sit - command
Close the door!
ปิด close
See in Dictionaryประตู door
See in Dictionaryซี่ teeth; insistent request / command
See in Dictionary
Literally: close - door - command
นั่ง sit
See in Dictionaryซี่ teeth; insistent request / command
See in Dictionary
Literally: sit - command
Close the door!
ปิด close
See in Dictionaryประตู door
See in Dictionaryซี่ teeth; insistent request / command
See in Dictionary
Literally: close - door - command
ซี
ซี C (Thai transcription of the English letter 'C'); insistent request / command
See in Dictionary is used to emphasize positive responses or to soften negative or coflicting responses.
See in Dictionary is used to emphasize positive responses or to soften negative or coflicting responses.
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Examples
(I) would like to! (enthusiastic response)
อยาก would like to
See in Dictionaryซี C (Thai transcription of the English letter 'C'); insistent request / command
See in Dictionary
Literally: good - emphasize response
A: (I) speak Thai not well.
พูด speak, talk
See in Dictionaryภาษาไทย Thai Language
See in Dictionaryไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryเก่ง good
See in Dictionary
Literally: speak - Thai language - not - good
B: (You speak Thai) well!
เก่ง good
See in Dictionaryซี C (Thai transcription of the English letter 'C'); insistent request / command
See in Dictionary
Literally: good - soften response
อยาก would like to
See in Dictionaryซี C (Thai transcription of the English letter 'C'); insistent request / command
See in Dictionary
Literally: good - emphasize response
A: (I) speak Thai not well.
พูด speak, talk
See in Dictionaryภาษาไทย Thai Language
See in Dictionaryไม่ no, not
See in Dictionaryเก่ง good
See in Dictionary
Literally: speak - Thai language - not - good
B: (You speak Thai) well!
เก่ง good
See in Dictionaryซี C (Thai transcription of the English letter 'C'); insistent request / command
See in Dictionary
Literally: good - soften response
สิ / ซิ
สิ for emphasis
See in Dictionary / ซิ polite request
See in Dictionary indicates a polite request. The particle needs to be followed by a polite particle, otherwise, it sounds like a command. Both particles are roughly interchangeable.
See in Dictionary / ซิ polite request
See in Dictionary indicates a polite request. The particle needs to be followed by a polite particle, otherwise, it sounds like a command. Both particles are roughly interchangeable.
Examples
Please sit
เชิญ please (to express politeness in a request); invite
See in Dictionaryนั่ง sit
See in Dictionaryซิ polite request
See in Dictionaryค่ะ polite word for women
See in Dictionary
Literally: please - sit - polite request - polite particle
Take a look
ดู watch, look
See in Dictionaryซิ polite request
See in Dictionaryค่ะ polite word for women
See in Dictionary
Literally: look - polite request - polite particle
เชิญ please (to express politeness in a request); invite
See in Dictionaryนั่ง sit
See in Dictionaryซิ polite request
See in Dictionaryค่ะ polite word for women
See in Dictionary
Literally: please - sit - polite request - polite particle
Take a look
ดู watch, look
See in Dictionaryซิ polite request
See in Dictionaryค่ะ polite word for women
See in Dictionary
Literally: look - polite request - polite particle
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ที
ที just this time (polite request)
See in Dictionary means as much as "just this time". It is used for polite requests.
See in Dictionary means as much as "just this time". It is used for polite requests.
Examples
Please turn off the light.
ช่วย help
See in Dictionaryปิด close
See in Dictionaryไฟ fire, light
See in Dictionaryที just this time (polite request)
See in Dictionary
Literally: Please - turn off - light - polite request
Sorry!
ขอโทษ excuse me; sorry
See in Dictionaryที just this time (polite request)
See in Dictionary
Literally: Excuse me - polite request
ช่วย help
See in Dictionaryปิด close
See in Dictionaryไฟ fire, light
See in Dictionaryที just this time (polite request)
See in Dictionary
Literally: Please - turn off - light - polite request
Sorry!
ขอโทษ excuse me; sorry
See in Dictionaryที just this time (polite request)
See in Dictionary
Literally: Excuse me - polite request
Use in Idioms
Don't!
ขอ ask for (polite)
See in Dictionaryที just this time (polite request)
See in Dictionary
Literally: ask for - just this time
ขอ ask for (polite)
See in Dictionaryที just this time (polite request)
See in Dictionary
Literally: ask for - just this time
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เถอะ / เถิด / เหอะ
เถอะ let's
See in Dictionary / เถิด let's
See in Dictionary / เหอะ let's
See in Dictionary are used when trying to press or push someone to do something. Similar to the English "Let's ...", "Why don't you/we ...".
See in Dictionary / เถิด let's
See in Dictionary / เหอะ let's
See in Dictionary are used when trying to press or push someone to do something. Similar to the English "Let's ...", "Why don't you/we ...".
- เหอะ let's
See in Dictionary is used in informal speech - เถิด let's
See in Dictionary is used in literature and written Thai - เถอะ let's
See in Dictionary is used in formal and normal situations
Examples
Let us go (together).
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryกัน together; one another, each other; separate, prevent, trim
See in Dictionaryเถอะ let's
See in Dictionary
Literally: go - together - urging
Let's go (together).
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryกัน together; one another, each other; separate, prevent, trim
See in Dictionaryเหอะ let's
See in Dictionary
Literally: go - together - Let's
(Why don't you) come.
มา come, arrive
See in Dictionaryเถอะ let's
See in Dictionary
Literally: come - urging
Why don't you go?
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryเหอะ let's
See in Dictionaryน่า when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary
Literally: go - urging - trying to persuade
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryกัน together; one another, each other; separate, prevent, trim
See in Dictionaryเถอะ let's
See in Dictionary
Literally: go - together - urging
Let's go (together).
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryกัน together; one another, each other; separate, prevent, trim
See in Dictionaryเหอะ let's
See in Dictionary
Literally: go - together - Let's
(Why don't you) come.
มา come, arrive
See in Dictionaryเถอะ let's
See in Dictionary
Literally: come - urging
Why don't you go?
ไป go; too
See in Dictionaryเหอะ let's
See in Dictionaryน่า when trying to persuade someone
See in Dictionary
Literally: go - urging - trying to persuade