How to use อยาก (want) and เอา (take) in Thai Language

In this article, you will see how to use อยาก (want) and เอา (take) in Thai. These two words are ones of the most used words in Thai language but people are likely to use them incorrectly.  This article not only showing you the difference between these two words, but also giving examples of how to use and not to use them.Since this article will contain lots of information, you can jump to the topic that you would like to learn first by clicking on the table of contents below.

Table of Contents

1.  yàak (อยาก)1.1 yàak + verb = want to + verb (want to do something)
   1.2 yàak + noun = want + noun (want something desperately)
   1.3 yàak-dâay + noun = want + noun (want something)
   1.4 yàak-hây + sentence = want someone to do something or want something to happen
2. ʔaw (เอา) = ʔaw + noun = to take something

1. อยาก (yàak) = to want

This section will show you the usages of the word yàak (อยาก) in different functions. This one word can be used in several different ways. Let’s start with the most commonly used function of this word.

1.1. subject + อยาก (yàak) + verb = subject + want to + verb

Very simple and every learner can use it correctly with no problem so far according to my experience. Let’s just see a couple of examples below.

However, as it seems so easy to use and the structure is similar to English language, some people misunderstand that the word yàak (อยาก) can be use with noun like in English. 

Wrong example:

Unfortunately, the above sentence is wrong. In Thai language, when you use the word yàak (อยาก) with a noun, it gives a special meaning. It means you want that thing desperately and we use it with something that you can eat, drink, or intake to your body (injection).

Therefore, using the word yàak (อยาก) + nǎŋsɨ̌ɨ (หนังสือ) will not sound right. Now let’s see the next function of yàak (อยาก) for more understanding.

1.2 อยาก (yàak) + noun = want + noun (want something desperately)

Most of the time, we use yàak (อยาก) with a noun when someone wants something because they are addicted to it. We use only with something that you can eat or intake to your body.

For example:

Moreover, we also use the word yàak (อยาก) with noun when someone is desperately hungry for food or desperately thirsty for drink.

For example:

Therefore, you will not use this structure very often in everyday life. Come to this point, you may have a question ‘How can I say when I ‘WANT SOMETHING’? 

Next structure of ‘yàak (อยาก)’ will answer the question.

1.3 อยากได้ (yàak-dâay) + noun = want + noun (want something)

Referring back the previous example showing a wrong use of yàak (อยาก).

to make this sentence correct, you should add the word dâay (ได้) which means ‘to get’ right after the word yàak (อยาก).

More Example:

1.4 อยากให้ (yàak-hây) + sentence = want someone to do something or want something to happen

The last structure of yàak (อยาก) you will see in this article is a bit more complex than all the previous structures, but it does not mean it is difficult to bring it to practice. In English language the word ‘want’ alone can be very handy, while it is not in Thai.

For example:

Let’s check whether you understand how to use yàak (อยาก) properly.

This is the end of ‘yàak’ (อยาก) section. Now you will see the meaning and the use of another important word ‘ʔaw’ (เอา) = to take.

2. ʔaw (เอา) = to take

Structure: ʔaw + noun = to take somethingWe use this word many times a day. It is a short simple word but surprisingly, it is frequently misused by many students. The main reason of the incorrect usage is many people think that the word ‘ʔaw’ (เอา) means ‘want’ in English. How does this happen?

For example:

You can see that when this dialogue is translated into a proper English, it is unavoidable not to use the word ‘want’ as a translation of the word ‘ʔaw’ (เอา). Since you can see that the direct translation will not sound right in English. Therefore, this might be the reason why people misuse the word.Can ‘ʔaw’ (เอา) be replaced by the word ‘yàak’ (อยาก)?

The example of a WRONG usage:

This example is considered incorrect because if you look back at the ‘yàak’ (อยาก) section which talks about yàak + noun = want + noun (want something desperately). You can see that this structure is used when someone wants something because they are addicted to it, and it has to be something that you can eat or intake to your body.

Therefore the above example is not applicable. However, yàak-dâay (อยากได้) can replace the word ‘ʔaw’ (เอา) and make it grammatically right, but it is not exactly replaceable in every context of the real usage.

Example of a correct usage:

You may have a question ‘When to use ‘ʔaw’ (เอา) and when to use ‘yàak-dâay’ (อยากได้) since it is replaceable?’

We use ‘ʔaw’ (เอา)’ in a restaurant or in a shop most of the time. If you want to order something, you will use this word. This is a casual way to order. So, if you enter a coffee shop and want to have a cup of a hot tea,

It is not wrong to say the latter one but it is not common. On the other hand, if you are at home with your friend and you want to say ‘I want a new shirt.’ (You just thinking of buying a new shirt),

To sum up on when to use เอา (ʔaw) = to take, take a look at these points.

1. Use it when you offer something to someone.
(e.g. ʔaw ʔanníi máy = Do you want this?)

2. Use it to show that you want or do not want something that someone (including sellers/shops) offer you.
(e.g. ʔaw bia 1 khùat = I want a bottle of beer.)

3. ‘ʔaw’ (เอา) is followed by a noun and adjective not a verb.
(e.g. if you say ‘ʔaw kin’ (เอากิน) to mean ‘want to eat’, it is wrong.)

Let’s check your understanding of อยาก (want) and เอา (take)

Therefore, you can see that ‘ʔaw’ (เอา) and yàak (อยาก) cannot be replaceable unless you use yàak-dâay (อยากได้). And even yàak-dâay (อยากได้) is applicable for that, in real life speaking, Thai people use them in different situations as explained previously.

Before we come to an end of this article, let’s work on below sentences to check if you understand clearly about the word yàak (อยาก) and ‘ʔaw’ (เอา).

Let’s try the final exercise on อยาก (want) and เอา (take)!

Last Practice!

Conclusion

This article emphasizes on the correct usage of yàak (อยาก) = to want and ʔaw (เอา) = to take. You can see that one means ‘want’ and another means ‘take.’ I hope that this article including the examples and practices help you to have a clearer understanding of how to use them properly. If you have any questions, or would like to give your suggestion on this article, please feel free to do so by leaving your comments below.