Thai words

Men end a sentence with “khrap”, women with “kha”. Without it speech sounds blunt: “sawatdee khrap”, “khop khun kha”.

In a question women say “kha” with a high tone; in answers and statements a low “kha” (ค่ะ). They are spelled differently.

Makes a phrase softer and warmer: “rak na” — “I love you”.

Placed before the name of someone older: “P’Tay”. Used for an older student, an older sibling or an older partner.

The pair of “phi”: used for someone younger — “N’New”. In BL series it is often a fond name for the younger partner.

A polite way to address a stranger or someone senior; also placed before a name: “Khun Man”.

Goes at the end and turns a phrase into a question: “pai mai?” — “are you going?”.

Men refer to themselves as “phom”, women as “chan” (in songs everyone uses “chan”). The pronoun is part of politeness.

Only used between very close friends — constant in campus series. With strangers it is an insult.

A warm, informal particle used instead of “khrap/kha” — with children, younger people and loved ones.

Every Thai person has a short nickname — Tay, New, Gun. People are almost always called by it; the full name sounds formal.

Palms together at the chest with a slight bow. The younger person wais first; the higher the hands, the more respect.

Thai is tonal: the same syllable in a different tone is a different word, so “mai” can mean many things.

Almost a national motto: the answer to both “thank you” and “sorry”.