Now that you know the basics of Thai language from Episode 1 (and check it out if you haven’t seen it!), time to step it up a notch! In this video I teach you phrases that would be useful in a restaurant setting, or when buying food from a street vendor. This is a pretty important set of phrases because eating is probably the most important thing you’ll do in Thailand, right??

Next up in the series we will go over some basic food terms so that at the very least you will recognize when someone says they’re serving you “chicken” or “pork”. Let me know if you have suggestions on other videos around Thai language and culture!

But first, some ground rules:

I explained this in detail in my Thai Language Basics video so make sure you check that out and it’ll make this lesson easier!

1. Thai language is tonal, so pay attention to the tone I use to say the words as well.
2. To add politeness, simply tack these words on to the end of your sentences: ka (for female speakers) and krub (for male speakers). And yes, you should always be polite when talking to strangers! You can drop them when speaking to close friends.
3. There is no “correct” way to write out a Thai word in English. There are so many sounds in Thai that can’t be written out using English letters, so these spellings are all just approximations of what it sounds like so don’t get hung up on the spelling, just use it as a guideline. The same applies for all the food names!
4. We drop the pronouns “I” and “you” from our sentences often, especially when the context is obvious. Even in the sentences below where I do write them with I/you, you can drop them and the sentence would still make sense if it’s obvious in the situation who you’re referring to.

How many people in the party? Gee taan ka/krub.
Instead of taan you might also hear them use the words kon or tee which all mean the same thing.

Getting the server’s attention:
Kaw toad ka/krub = I’m sorry / excuse me
Nong ka/krub = Calling a younger server
Pee ka/krub = Calling an older server‘

I’d like to order my food please: Sung ahaan noi ka/krub.

Where is the bathroom? Hong naam yoo nai ka/krub

The bill please: Check bin noi ka/krub

How much? Tao rai ka/krub

How much is this one? Un nee tao rai ka/krub

What is this? Un nee arai ka/krub

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