When comparing things in Thai, there are 3 words you will definitely need to know: gwàa(กว่า), khɯ̂n (ขึ้น) and loŋ (ลง).
gwàa (กว่า) = more; more than. Used when comparing differences between two things or people.
Examples:
sŭay-gwàa (สวยกว่า): to be more beautiful (than something or somebody else)
คุณสวยกว่าแฟนเก่าผมมาก
khun sŭay-gwàa fɛɛn gàw phŏm mɑ̂ɑk
You are much more beautiful than my ex!
dii-gwàa (ดีกว่า): to be better than something or somebody else
แฟนใหม่ฉันดีกว่าคนเก่าทุกอย่าง
fɛɛn mɑ̀i chɑ̌n dii-gwɑ̀ɑ khon gɑ̀w thúk yɑ̀ɑŋ
My new boyfriend is better than my ex in every way!
ถ้าคุณคิดว่าเขาดีกว่าผม…
thɑ̂ɑ khun khít-wɑ̂ɑ khɑ̌w dii-gwɑ̀ɑ phǒm…
If you think he is better than me…
khɯ̂n (ขึ้น): used to denote the increase or decrease of qualities in things or people
Examples:
khɯ̂n (ขึ้น): to go up; to increase
sŭay-khɯ̂n (สวยขึ้น): to be more beautiful than before
คุณสวยขึ้นนะ
khun sŭay-khɯ̂n ná
You look more beautiful. (than before)
คุณพูดไทยเก่งขึ้นนะ
khun phûut Thai gèŋ-khɯ̂n nɑ́
You speak Thai better. (than before)
ผมรู้สึกดีขึ้นมากครับ
phǒm rúu-sɯ̀k dii-khɯ̂n mɑ̂ɑk khrɑ́p
I feel a lot better. (than I felt before)
Now let’s look at the difference between khɯ̂n (ขึ้น) and gwàa (กว่า) again.
คุณสวยขึ้นนะ
khun sŭay khɯ̂n ná
You are looking more beautiful. (than before)
คุณสวยกว่าแฟนเก่าผมมาก
khun sŭay-gwàa fɛɛn gàw phŏm mɑ̂ɑk
You are much more beautiful than my ex!
NOTE: when you put a precise time word at the end of your sentence you will need to use both khɯ̂n (ขึ้น) and gwàa (กว่า).
Examples:
คุณสวย (ขึ้น) กว่าเมื่อวานนะ
khun sǔay khɯ̂n gwɑ̀ɑ mɯ̂ɑ-wɑɑn nɑ́
You are looking more beautiful than you were yesterday.
ผมรู้สึกดี (ขึ้น) กว่าเมื่อวานครับ
phǒm rúu-sɯ̀k dii-khɯ̂n gwɑ̀ɑ mɯ̂ɑ-wɑɑn khráp
I feel better than I felt yesterday.
Practice your Thai with the following exercise:
phɔ̂ɔ phŏm ruay ____ phŏm
khun rúu-sɯ̀k dii- ____ mái
khun sŭay _____ bpii tîi lɛ́ɛw
khun kkít-wɑ̂ɑ khun dii- _____ phŏm rə̌ə?
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picture from http://www.matthewtrethewey.com/how-i-avoid-the-comparison-trap/