Thai Particle Words

In the Thai language, particle words have no specific meaning but are used to express the speaker’s opinion, attitude or feeling towards the thing she or he is talking about. “ค่ะ (kh̀a)”and “ครับ (khŕap)” are two common particles. In this lesson, we will introduce two more: “นะ (ná)” and “ซิ/สิ (sì)”

  1. “นะ (ná)” is used as a confirmative particle and in most cases is equivalent to “okay?”in English.

 

Examples:

rɔɔ sàk khrûu ná khá

รอสักครู่นะคะ

Please wait a moment, okay?

 

thɑ̂ɑ mɑɑ mɑ̂i dɑ̂ɑy jɑ̀ thoo mɑɑ bɔ̀ɔk nɑ́

ถ้ามาไม่ได้จะโทรมาบอกนะ

If I can’t come (to see you), I will call you, okay?

 

  1. “ซิ/สิ (sì)” is used to express enthusiasm or encouragement. It is generally used in the imperative.

 

Examples:

phûut phaa sǎa Thai sì khá

พูดภาษาไทยสิคะ

Please speak Thai.

 

yɑ̀ɑ yɔɔm phɛɛ́ sì khɑ́

อย่ายอมแพ้สิคะ

Don’t give up!

 

  1. “ได้สิครับ/คะ (daây sì khŕap/kh̀a)” is a phrase used as a positive response to a “ด้วยกันไหม (duây gan mái?)” invitation. It is equivalent to “that would be great” in English.

 

Example:

A: bpai dwẁm gaa fɛɛ dûay gan mái khráp

ไปดื่มกาแฟด้วยกันไหมครับ

Shall we go and have coffee together?

 

B: daây sì kh́a

*ได้สิคะ

That would be great.

 

picture from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SwPxTkxDQ8