Word Study

Point 1. Ordinal numbers. These are numbers which tell the order of something, such as 'first,' 'second,' 'third,' and so on. Thai examples:

You will see at once that Thai ordinal numbers are just like the regular numbers except that they are preceded by thîi. All of the rest of the ordinal numbers are made in exactly the same way. With large numbers many people pronounce the thîi as a separate word, e.g.,

But with the smaller numbers the thîi is ordinarily run together with the regular number, as in thîinʉ̀ŋ, thîisɔ̌ɔŋ, so that the two parts are spoken as a single word. Another important phrase containing thîi is thîi thâwray, which may be translated literally 'the how manyeth,' as in:

Questions like this are usually answered by an ordinal number, but sometimes by a regular number, e.g.,

Point2. Omission of rʉ̌ʉ. In the Basic Sentences of this unit you learned the phrase

which, when translated into English, has the word 'or' but in Thai lacks the equivalent word rʉ̌ʉ. Between numbers, as in the phrase above, rʉ̌ʉ may be omitted or inserted without any difference in meaning, provided the sentence is a statement. Therefore you may also say:

If the sentence is a question, however, the rʉ̌ʉ cannot be left out, e.g.,

Point 3. The word tháŋ. This word, which means 'all, all of, the whole of, ' is used very frequently with numbers, e.g.,

Expressions like those just given are used with pronouns and with nouns. They are sometimes followed by a classifier, sometimes not, but this fact makes no difference in the meaning. Examples:

The word tháŋ also occurs in expressions like tháŋ ʔaathít 'all week' in which the number-word is omitted but the classifier is required. However, the number-word omitted here is nʉ̀ŋ 'one' and this expression is therefore just like those you learned about in Unit 7 (Point 1). When the quantity intended is more than 'one' the proper number-word must of course be used to make this clear. Memorize the following phrases:

Examples in sentences:

Point 4. The word ʔaw and phaa.  The word ʔaw 'to take' is used to refer to small things, while phaa 'to take, accompany' is used to refer to people or larger things. In-between things may be referred to by either ʔaw or phaa. Both words are frequently used in combination with the words pay 'to go' and maa 'to come' with a corresponding difference in meaning. Thus ʔaw pay and phaa pay mean 'to take,' while ʔaw maa and phaa maa mean 'to bring.' Examples:

In these examples you will notice that the word for the object (in this case what is taken or brought) is placed between ʔaw or phaa and pay or maa. In the illustrations above the object is shown in boldface letters.

Point 5. Some Thai words of similar meaning.

a. rooŋrɛɛm and hooten. Both of these words have exactly the same meaning, namely 'hotel,' but the first one is an original Thai word while the second one is simply the word 'hotel' pronounced in Thai fashion. Both words are used widely.

b. kin and ráppràthaan. As far as their meaning is concerned these two words can be used interchangeably, for both refer to consuming food or drink. However, of the two words, ráppràthaan is the more formal and is therefore used when speaking to elders or superiors. It is also often used among equals for the sake of politeness. Note particularly that ráppràthaan is used to refer to people only. When speaking of lower beings (animals, fish, fowl), it is necessary to use kin.

Example:

c. rúu and sâap. The word rúu refers specifically to knowledge, as in

Consequently, when knowledge is referred to it is necessary to use the word rúu. In the commonly used expressions 'do you know?' or 'I don't know,' on the other hand, the words rúu and sâap may be used interchangeably as far as meaning is concerned. To use sâap, however, sounds somewhat more polite or elegant than to use rúu. Examples:

c. khǎw and khun. When used as a pronoun, the word khǎw always means 'he, she, they.' The word khun, however, which you had previously learned in the meaning 'you,' may also be used to mean 'he, she, they' when you wish to show respect to someone. When the hotel clerk uses the word in this sense in the Basic Sentences of this unit, it is because he wishes to be deferential to the guests of the hotel. What he says is:

If, instead of khun, he had used khǎw, it would be about like saying in English, 'Boy, take these two men to Room 218.'

Point 6. Some classifiers.

a. baan. This word is used for doors, windows, and mirrors. Examples:

b. tua. You have previously learned that this word is used for animals and for coats. In this unit it is found to have still another use, namely for tables and chairs. Examples:

When, as in the last example, two nouns have the same number-word plus classifier phrase may be used for both.

c. Some nouns are also their own classifiers. Two such words are hɔ̂ŋ 'room' and tiaŋ 'bed.' Examples:

In the phrases where the classifier ordinarily follows the noun, the classifier may be omitted (as in the second and fourth examples above).

Point 7. Some special phrases.

Point 8. Some compounds.