[Lesson 1] This is the first step to sound more like a native Thai (polite particles, I, he/she)

[Lesson 1] This is the first step to sound more like a native Thai (polite particles, I, he/she)

1. ฉัน (chăn) → This word means "I". Usually used by women.

Pronunciation: Officially a rising tone but in natural speech, it's often pronounced as if it was written: ชั้น (chán) with a high tone.

  • ฉันไม่ใช่คนไทย (chăn mâi châi kon tai)
    I’m not Thai.

  • ฉันไม่ชอบ (chăn mâi chôp)
    I don’t like (it).

  • ฉันไม่อยากกิน (chăn mâi yàak gin)
    I don’t want to eat.


2. ค่ะ (kâ) → Polite particle for female speakers

Pronunciation: Officially falling tone, but in natural speech, it’s often pronounced very quickly and softly, making it sound almost like a low tone.

Sound: In my mind, I use the 'K' sound but I often have the feedback that I'm saying 'H' sound. I think the best explanation is that the 'k' in Thai is more breathy than the 'k' in English. It's like “khâ” sound. Also, this is just me because there are other Thai people that pronounce with a more 'k' sound, so listen well when you hear Thai people talk and judge for yourself.

  • ใช่ค่ะ (châi kâ)
    Yes.

  • เข้าใจค่ะ (kâo jai kâ)
    I understand.

  • ดีมากค่ะ (dee mâak kâ)
    Very good.


3. เขา (kăo) → “He/She/They”

Pronunciation: Officially a rising tone but in natural speech, it's often pronounced as if it was written like เค้า (káo) with a high tone.

  • เขาเป็นคนไทย (kăo bpen kon tai)
    He/She is Thai.

  • เขาพูดภาษาไทยทุกวัน (kăo pôot paa-săa tai túk wan)
    He/She speaks Thai every day.

  • เขาทำงานที่นี่ (kăo tam ngaan têe nêe)
    He/She works here.


4. ครับ (kráp) → Polite particle for men

Sound: In everyday speech, you will hear คับ (káp) without the 'r' sound.

  • เข้าใจคับ (kâo jai káp)
    I understand.

  • ไม่รู้คับ (mâi róo káp)
    I don’t know.

  • ไม่ดูคับ (mâi doo káp)
    I don’t watch (it).


Sound like a real Thai! (Colloquial Pronunciation course)

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Introduction

  • What is this course? Read this first before starting
  • How to get video response/feedback3

[Lesson 1-12] Have you mastered these sounds?

  • [Lesson 1] This is the first step to sound more like a native Thai (polite particles, I, he/she)4
  • [Lesson 2] Frankly, in colloquial Thai you will hear ล (L) replacing the ร (R) sounds
  • [Lesson 3] Some students have a hard time pronouncing the ง (ng) sound, do you?2
  • [Lesson 4] I have seen even advanced speakers struggle pronouncing ด (d) / ต (dt) and บ (b) / ป (bp) sounds
  • [Lesson 5] For some words, if you don't get the tone right, you won't be understood (near/far, want/hard)2
  • [Lesson 6] Pronounce เก่ง (gèng) and เล่น (lên) correctly
  • [Lesson 7] Pronounce ต้อง (dtông) and ค่อย (kôi) correctly
  • [Lesson 8] Pronounce ไม้ (máai) and ได้ (dâai) correctly
  • [Lesson 9] Pronounce เก้า (gâo) and เท้า (táo) correctly
  • [Lesson 10] "Is that a new word?" "Ah, nope, Thais just like to drop the ร (R) or ล (L) sound!"
  • [Lesson 11] - เป็น (bpen) and ไม่ใช่ (mâi châi) - Common words you need to pronounce correctly
  • [Lesson 12] อยู่ / อยู่ที่ / อยู่บน / อยู่ใน (yòo · yòo têe · yòo bon · yòo nai) - More common words you need to pronounce correctly

[Lesson 13-14] Pronounce numbers and time

  • [Lesson 13] Pronounce 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 correctly
  • [Lesson 14] Telling time

[Lesson 15-19] Let's focus on connecting tones

  • [Lesson 15] ไม่ (mâi) followed by a low/falling Tone
  • [Lesson 16] ไม่ (mâi) + high tone
  • [Lesson 17] ไม่ (mâi) + rising tone
  • [Lesson 18] ไม่ (mâi) + mid tone
  • [Lesson 19] ไม่ (mâi) + different tones

[Lesson 20-24] - Pronouncing conjunctions

  • [Lesson 20] Pronouncing กับ (gàp)
  • [Lesson 21] Pronouncing เพราะ (prór)
  • [Lesson 22] Pronouncing แต่ (dtàe) and แต่ว่า (dtàe wâa) correctly
  • [Lesson 23] Pronouncing ก็เลย (gôr loiie) correctly
  • [Lesson 24] Pronouncing ถ้า (tâa) and ก็ (gôr) correctly

[Lesson 25-29] - Pronouncing question words

  • [Lesson 25] pronouncing the word WHAT อะไร (à-rai)
  • [Lesson 26] Colloquial way to say อะไร (à-rai)
  • [Lesson 27] The question marker มั้ย (mái)
  • [Lesson 28] Can? ได้มั้ย (dâai mái)
  • [Lesson 29] Colloquial way to say มั้ย (mái) and ได้มั้ย (dâai mái)

[Lesson 30-35] Pronouncing question words Part 2

  • [Lesson 30] Pronouncing the word "How" like Thais: ยังไง (yang ngai)
  • [Lesson 31] Common pronunciation mistake: "what time" กี่โมง (gèe mohng)
  • [Lesson 32] Cut the word ที่ (têe) when saying "Where"
  • [Lesson 33] The confirmation particle : หรอ (rŏr)
  • [Lesson 34] หรอ (lǒr), the more colloquial version
  • [Lesson 35] One kilo of mango, please! - Using จ๊ะ (já) to sound super friendly

[Lesson 36-38] Basic verbs and loanwords

  • [Lesson 36] Pronouncing 7 basic verbs
  • [Lesson 37] I think that..., I feel that... etc
  • [Lesson 38] The '-er' sound in Thai: Computer / scanner / server / hacker2