A complete guide for foreigners wishing to learn Thai in Thailand

18.07.2023
A complete guide for foreigners wishing to learn Thai in Thailand

Откройте магию тайского языка

Recent years have brought a marked increase in interest in learning Thai language among people of different nationalities. This surge of interest is probably due to the digital age, where language barriers are erased, traveling becomes easier, and a country's culture becomes more accessible through movies and TV series. In addition, various countries are increasingly focusing on attracting foreigners with their "soft power". Some way of influence based not on force but on cultural exchange.

The interest in Thai language attracts many people, whether it is for career, business purposes, socializing with celebrities or just for fun. However, many foreigners claim that Thai language is difficult.

But here, Kiat, an expert in linguistics and teaching Thai to foreigners, states, "Thai is easier than it seems and learning it can be fun if you master the basics and techniques."

In this article, Kiat will share tips and clear language guidelines for those who are serious about learning Thai. In the process, native speakers will also learn interesting facts about the Thai language that prove that it is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, Thai is a charming language that reflects the fun and creative spirit of the Thai people.

Mastering Thai grammar: basics and concepts

Modern Thai has been shaped by various languages such as Balinese, Sanskrit, Khmer, Chinese, Javanese, Burmese, Malay, Persian, as well as European languages such as Portuguese and English. The vocabulary and grammar of Thai therefore reflect the heritage of these languages. Despite this, the basic grammatical rules of Thai can be relatively simple and accessible.

Word order in declarative sentences

When studying different languages, we often pay attention to the basic structure of sentences, such as the arrangement of subject, verb, and object. Thai uses the same structure as English or Chinese: subject > verb > object. For example, "I eat rice". This is different from some languages, such as Japanese or Korean, where the sentence structure is: subject > object > verb, leading to the form "I eat rice".

However, although different languages may have similar basic sentence structures, their grammar may differ. Thus, a simple basic Thai sentence structure can easily help beginners to speak Thai, but more complex sentences will require learning additional grammar.

 

Forming simple negative sentences and questions

Once you master the basics of sentences, you can easily create different forms such as negative sentences. To do this, just add the word "no (mai)" in front of the verb. And to make a question sentence, you need to add the word "mai (different tone)" to the end of the sentence. It's pretty simple and easy to memorize.

Word order when describing a noun

Describing nouns in Thai is different from some other languages. Usually, we are used to descriptive or additional words following the main noun. For example, in English, Japanese, Chinese or Korean, we say "hot tea" where the descriptive word "hot" comes first, followed by the main noun "tea".

In Thai, this order is reversed. So we say the main noun first and then the descriptive or complementary word. This can be a bit confusing for those who are already proficient in other languages. But we assure you that with a little practice, you will quickly master this aspect of Thai.

So, if you dream of speaking Thai, whether as a native speaker, using complex sentences, or just for everyday communication, it will take you some time to understand its grammar and master the basics. But you shouldn't doubt your abilities. Thai is truly a beautiful language, and learning it is an exciting adventure that opens doors into the culture and hearts of the Thai people.

Author of the article: Ekaterina Antonova