Using the word ‘to Ask’ in Thai Language
When you look for the ‘to ask’ in Thai, you may see the word ‘ถาม’ comes up as the first choice. However, ถาม cannot replace the use of the word ‘to ask’ in English in every context. In this lesson, we will see how to use the word ‘to ask’ in Thai language.
Table of Content
- ถาม (ว่า) / thǎam (wâa) = to ask (question)
- ขอ (khɔ̌ɔ) + noun = to ask for something
- ขอ (khɔ̌ɔ) + verb = to ask for permission to do something
- ขอให้ (khɔ̌ɔ hây) = to ask someone to do something, to wish something happen
1. ถาม (thǎam) = to ask (question)
The word ถาม (thǎam) is used when you ask someone a question. Let’s see the structures and examples below.
subject + ถาม (thǎam) + someone + ว่า (wâa) + a question
= To ask someone a question
For example:
1.
– kháw thǎam chán wâa chán phûut Thai dâay máy
– เขาถามฉันว่า ฉันพูดไทยได้ไหม
– He asked me if I can speak Thai or not.
2.
– khun thǎam kháw wâa ʔaray
– คุณถามเขาว่าอะไร
– What did you ask her?
3.
– khruu chɔ̂ɔp nák-rian thîi chɔ̂ɔp thǎam
– ครูชอบนักเรียนที่ชอบถาม
– The teacher likes students who likes asking.
4.
– phǒm yàak rúu, tæ̀æ mây klâa thǎam
– ผมอยากรู้ แต่ไม่กล้าถาม
– I want to know but not dare to ask.
Note: The word ว่า (wâa) in the above structure is used as the word ‘if’ in English but you do not use it exactly like the word ‘if’. For example, you don’t use ว่า (wâa) as the word ‘if’ in Conditional Sentence (if clause).
2. ขอ (khɔ̌ɔ) + noun = to ask for something
You use the word ขอ (khɔ̌ɔ) when you want to ask for something. It will be followed by a noun as seen in the examples below.
For example:
1.
– kháw khɔ̌ɔ ŋən phǒm
– เขาขอเงินผม
– He asked me for money.
2.
– khun ca khɔ̌ɔ ʔaray càak phǒm
– คุณจะขออะไรจากผม
– What will you ask from me?
3.
– chán ca khɔ̌ɔ càkkrayaan khan kàw khɔ̌ɔŋ kháw
– ฉันจะขอจักรยานคันเก่าของเขา
– I will ask for his old bicycle.
4.
– nɔ́ɔŋ-chaay khɔ̌ɔ tó tham-ŋaan chán
– น้องชายขอโต๊ะทำงานฉัน
– My younger brother asked for my desk.
3. ขอ (khɔ̌ɔ) + verb = to ask for permission to do something
The word ขอ (khɔ̌ɔ) can be used when you ask for permission to do something. You will use a verb after it. See the examples below.
For example:
1.
– phǒm khɔ̌ɔ khâw pay dâay máy
– ผมขอเข้าไปได้ไหม
– May I come in?
2.
– lûuk khɔ̌ɔ pay nɔɔn bâan phɨ̂an
– ลูกขอไปนอนบ้านเพื่อน
– My children asked for my permission to stay over at his friend’s house.
3.
– chán khɔ̌ɔ nâŋ dûay dâay máy
– ฉันขอนั่งด้วยได้ไหม
– May I sit together?
4.
– kháw khɔ̌ɔ cháy computer phǒm
– เขาขอใช้คอมพิวเตอร์ผม
– She asked for my permission to use my computer.
4. ขอให้ (khɔ̌ɔ hây) = to ask someone to do something, to wish
When you want to ask someone to do something you will use the word ขอให้ (khɔ̌ɔ hây). You can also use this when you make a wish. Let’s see the examples below.
For example:
1.
– chán khɔ̌ɔ hây phɨ̂an pay hǎa mɔ̌ɔ kàp chán
– ฉันขอให้เพื่อนไปหาหมอกับฉัน
– I asked my friend to go to see a doctor with me.
2.
– khun khɔ̌ɔ hây phǒm tham ʔaray phǒm kɔ̂ɔ ca tham
– คุณขอให้ผมทำอะไรผมก็จะทำ
– Whatever you ask me to do, I will do.
3.
– chán khɔ̌ɔ hây khun mii khwaam-sùk
– ฉันขอให้คุณมีความสุข
– I wish you happy.
4.
– phǒm khɔ̌ɔ hây fǒn mây tòk wan-níi
– ผมขอให้ฝนไม่ตกวันนี้
– I wish it does not rain today.
Do you understand how to use both ถาม (thǎam) and ขอ (khɔ̌ɔ) in Thai? Feel free to drop any questions in the comment box below.
