Usuful Thai words and idioms

Thai language section, ask your language questions here.
Pleng
Legend
Legend
Posts: 2798
Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 2:04 am
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Pleng »

lagojardin wrote:Kin Khao = Eat rice


Kin Khao is a generic term for eating - Rice or otherwise.
It's dependant on context. If you're being asked "Gin Khao Yang?" it means 'have you eaten yet', regardless of what that food might be.

However when discussing what you might want to eat, having been asked "Gin arai?", you can use "Gin Khao" to express your desire to eat something with rice (boiled/steamed rice) as opposed to Issan food (with sticky rice) or Farrang food. Don't use this though if you generally eat rice food or you're in a situation where it's expected that you will be eating Thai food, as answering with "Gin Khao" in those situations can make you come across as being awkward or unhelpful (just ask my gf! :D)
User avatar
Spitfire
Addict
Addict
Posts: 5248
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:17 pm
Location: Thailand

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Spitfire »

I'll throw one in......not entirely sure of the phonetic spelling though...

Gam-sanong-gam = Pretty much closely translates into "What goes around comes around."

There are other ways to say it, if I remember correctly, but it's been a while since I learned them so spelling might be out....here's one of them though.

Gam-na-ja-sanong
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
User avatar
Roel
Guru
Guru
Posts: 975
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:21 am
Location: Phuket

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Roel »

Nice one!
A little study (trial and error on the Thai spelling) revealed:
gam (กรรม) = a deed, an action
sanong (สนอง) = to reply, to respond

So gam sanong gam, a deed replied to with a deed, or an action responded to with a counter-action.
Or 'what goes around comes around'.

See also:
gam dtaam sanong (กรรมตามสนอง) = retribution
gam ma sanong (กรรมสนอง) = recoil
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
Lee1975
Professional
Professional
Posts: 283
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:28 pm
Location: Crappy old England

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Lee1975 »

Can someone explain to me what this means?
ขอ โทด / kŏr tôht

Many thanks
The only things I regret are the things I didn't do
User avatar
PeteC
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 29924
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:58 am
Location: All Blacks training camp

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by PeteC »

Lee1975 wrote:Can someone explain to me what this means?
ขอ โทด / kŏr tôht

Many thanks
I believe it means "excuse me", but I don't know if the Thai spelling is correct....leave that for others to comment on. Pete :cheers:
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Lee1975
Professional
Professional
Posts: 283
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:28 pm
Location: Crappy old England

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Lee1975 »

prcscct wrote:
Lee1975 wrote:Can someone explain to me what this means?
ขอ โทด / kŏr tôht

Many thanks
I believe it means "excuse me", but I don't know if the Thai spelling is correct....leave that for others to comment on. Pete :cheers:

Thanks Pete :thumb:
The only things I regret are the things I didn't do
User avatar
Roel
Guru
Guru
Posts: 975
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:21 am
Location: Phuket

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Roel »

It is spelled like this: ขอโทษ
We are all living in 'the good old days' of the future.
User avatar
Spitfire
Addict
Addict
Posts: 5248
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:17 pm
Location: Thailand

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Spitfire »

A fun word to learn that is useful in many situations and often gets a good laugh from the locals is the word for nightmare......which is....

Făn-ráai
Resolve dissolves in alcohol
Scotian2012
Professional
Professional
Posts: 395
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 2:35 pm

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Scotian2012 »

I like this one, very useful:

Leow dtee khun -- Up to you!
User avatar
richard
Deceased
Deceased
Posts: 8780
Joined: Tue Feb 18, 2003 1:59 pm
Location: Wherever I am today

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by richard »

So please, what does this mean?

X-Thai Wife bought it for me 6 years ago and all I get are giggles from the girls
My t shirt (816 x 612) (408 x 306).jpg
My t shirt (816 x 612) (408 x 306).jpg (29.45 KiB) Viewed 1742 times
RICHARD OF LOXLEY

It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
User avatar
Bamboo Grove
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5266
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2003 12:59 pm
Location: Macau, China

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Bamboo Grove »

Richard, it's something like: When you see someone else's girlfriend (boyfriend) then you are happy.
User avatar
richard
Deceased
Deceased
Posts: 8780
Joined: Tue Feb 18, 2003 1:59 pm
Location: Wherever I am today

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by richard »

Does that mean I'm happy for them or fancy the girl?

Never could understand my Ex
RICHARD OF LOXLEY

It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
User avatar
Bamboo Grove
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5266
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2003 12:59 pm
Location: Macau, China

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Bamboo Grove »

To me it's rather that when you see someone else's, you then appriciate what you have. I could be wrong, though.
User avatar
Korkenzieher
Guru
Guru
Posts: 983
Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:45 am
Location: Hua Hin.

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by Korkenzieher »

Yes. It is one which could have a double meaning if you translate it word for word. Something like, "to see another's girlfriend is delightful"

It may be more obvious to a Thai than it is to me!
Had enough of the trolls. Going to sleep. I may be some time....
TingTongJohn
Professional
Professional
Posts: 326
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:11 am
Location: Hua Hin/Vancouver

Re: Usuful Thai words and idioms

Post by TingTongJohn »

I always liked..Som nam nah..You do to your self..
One word is not a story but it is the beginning and end of one.
Post Reply