Differences

There are several distinct differences between Thai and English grammar:
Thai is tonal language. There are five tones; rising, falling, low, middle and high. This is the aspect of Thai language western speakers have the most difficulty with. Using the wrong tone can cause you to be misunderstood, even if the pronunciation is OK.. Doh!.


There are no variant or plural forms of adjectives and nouns.
Thais say ‘mouse three’ instead of ‘three mice’ and "apple five’ instead of ‘five apples’.
Thai does not have verb conjugations. Past, present and future tense are understood in context or by the use of adverbs relating to time.

Thai language contains no (does not have) articles – the, a, an.
Adjectives come after the noun. Thais say ‘apple green’ instead of ‘the green apple’
The verb ‘to be’ is not used with adjectives. Thais say ‘she beautiful’ rather than ‘she is beautiful’
Thai script has only one case. There are no capital and lower case variants.
Thai script is written without spaces between words. Spaces are generally only placed between sentences or for clarification of a particular word.

     

  

 

Language Culture

.... we (Farang) think with and speak through the mind, whereas Thai think with and speak through the Heart...  so you need to have the right feel  read more....

 

Basic conversation

a quick lesson

 

Survival kit

Download, print for your trip - click here

Beginners: 
The linkword method is ideal for one off trip, otherwise if you want the basics you need to also view Heart culture otherwise you'll put the "Cart before the Horse"

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