Learn Thai the Bon's way

My first attempt of translating a Dhamma teaching.

2022-05-16T09:44:00.004+03:00

I spent a few days at WAT MABJAN , a Buddhist temple in Rayong, as a friend suggested.
I admired how everyday, the abbot, Ajarn Anan would give a dhamma talk

after the evening chanting routine and there's always a translator monk who translates

his talk to English right after which I found practical and amazing at the same time.

I grew up listening to Luangpu Ban Thanakaro, of Wat Doi Dhamma Jedee,

in Sakon Nakhon province, north eastern of Thailand. There were never

such translating actions going on there, except when there were a non-thai visitors there,

and there happened to be someone who speaks English at the time.

My life, or my speaking rather, is much influenced by his style of expressing words.

Now that Luangpu Ban has passed away for 3 years..... I'm inspired,

inspired by the translation happening at Wat Mabjan and definitely inspired by

the priceless dhamma teaching of Luangpu Ban. I'm attempting to translate

his dhamma talks and share them here for whoever come across it.

Here is my first translation of his talk from a youtube clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x1fBisEJUQ

the first 12 mins of over 50 mins talk. I'll add on more translation later

when I get more translation done, thank you for visiting my blog.

Here's some specific words that helps you understand this better:
Kammatarn: means the base of Buddhism works.
sometimes means contemplation.

Pra Ajarn Ban Tanagaro 1

Sukato means to go well, to stay well, live well and die well. Once live peacefully, when leaving, you also take that peace with you, while if live chaotically, you also take the chaos with you wherever you go. When you take peaceful mind along, there can only be gains, to oneself and to others but if the heart has no peace, there’s no gains for one’s own, and even less possible for others.

Going about with unpeaceful heart there’s only downfalls. Weather staying or going, it should be conducted within the frame of cause and effect (rational). Wherever you are, be there with the intention to persevere, you’ll be there with contentment, because even unpeaceful heart will calm down with the intention to persevere, and once the heart is at peace, you can be anywhere peacefully, once at peace, there’s no urge of anything, but without peace, there will be desire for this and that all the time, how can there be peace.

So wherever you are, try to do lots of walking meditation and sitting meditation, and do all the routine practice thoroughly, cautiously. Really set your heart on perseverance, don’t let the heart move away from this wrapped in skin bones. Only the hearts that found joy in the skin wrapped bones, can stay with the skin wrapped bones. The chaotic heart, even if you try, it won’t stay with the skin wrapped bones, whichever part it is

Tajaparinyanto ,every part, place your heart there, place your heart at the spot and see it clearly. In Kammatarn 5, all the 32 organs, can all purify our hearts to be clear, bright and peaceful. So wherever you are, pay attention to kamatarn 5 and gumatarn 32. Whether Kamatan 5, gumatarn 32 or pile of kammatarn, all pile up in the pile of humans and animals, our pile, let it be in here. Kammatarn , tarn means the base, the foundation of actions to ultimate result; that’s the meaning of Kammatarn. Our hearts once luminously bright, then uses this kammatarn to purify itself, there’s nothing eles that can scrub or wipe our thick and dark mind, to a thinner, to clearer and brighter state; only this pile of kamatarn, you this with true determination, not just lightly, don’t do it just as a bypass. Do it so that you know how, you realize, you see, see so clearly, unequivocal like grinding a block of steal to make a needle, keep grinding and grinding, until it starts to sharpen. Our hearts are thicker than a block of steal, because it’s a result of long term accumulation. So Kamatarn is needed, we’re talking about every single parts, in term of their shapes, forms and manners. Every shape, form and manner of all parts, whatever we make it to be, can all be used as a scrubber, a wiper for the dark minds. They’re elements, whatever elements of what whichever parts can all we used as the true scrubber and wiper for our thick dark minds to achieve the brighter, lighter, thinner.

So wherever you are, be with the great master, the great master is the this pile of kammatarn. If we were to ignore this pile of kammatarn and just focuses on the buddha’s words…. That’s not enough to lighten, brighten our thick hearts. The words of the buddha’s teaching are also the result of using the pile of kammatarn as the pile of scrubber, the pile of washer, the pile of bleacher… using no others.

In the maha sati patan, the body is at the forefront. Vetana, is about this body, not others, Dhamma (the nature, the truth) is about this body, not others, the pain, is in this body, not others. So in Maha satipatan, the body, vetana, jitra, dhamma; that’s our pile of body and pile of hearts, not others. The buddha didn’t use other things as the scrubber and wiper of the hearts. In the ultimate truth of nature, the buddha shown that this pile of kammatarn is the pile that gets born, the pile that gets old and the pile that die. All the buddha’s teachings uses this pile of kammatarn as scrubbers and wipers for the mind. Be earnest, and don’t be doubtful, the dhamma that takes away the defilements is this pile of kamatarn, not others, if you think that there’s something more valuable and greater than this kamatarn within us, that’s Mitchatiti view, wrong thinking, wrong view. So think right, see right and focus on kammatarn. Once the right view is strong, is clear, is determent, is earnest; never take the mind off of this kammatarn, if we are focus to understand it, then we will it eventually see it clearly as it is, because this pile of kammatarn is there. If we’re determined and focus on what’s not there, naturally it’s impossible to ever see or understand. If something’s there, even a blind person can touch it, so don’t be doubtful or hesitate to practice. We’re not lost in anything but this bones wrapped in skin, this thing gets us lost, this bones wrapped in skin thicken and darken our minds, and it’s accumulating to be denser than a block of steal that the steal workers work with. To grind it so that it’s shaper and shiner… the buddha knows how. You grind by shining light on it, see it clearly as it is, the darkness, thickness that has been accumulated so densely and dominated will eventually completely dissipate. The mind that is bright, that is sharp and that is incisive, the defilements can not stay in the mind that is bright, sharp and incisive, once the darkness dissipated. What dissipates that darkness? This pile of kammatarn. So understand this, don’t hesitate and be doubtful. The path to peaceful life of monks (practitioners) only consists of this pile of kammatarn. 12:18

I was thinkin about writing a book about JAI.

2010-06-07T20:53:00.002+03:00

( I did a reserch on thai words or phrases that include the word Jai or heart, nearly 100 of them if not more, poped up, I wanted to share about it but somehow I forgot about this, I found the document and I thought I'd share the first bit, see if it interest anyone :) Enjoy

ONe day, a fan on facebook asked me if I would ever be writing a small pocket book about easy thai phrases and suddenly my creativity lightbulb turned on BLINK! let's do what he says! That's how this book came about. I decided to dedicate the first pocket book to JAI which means heart. The heart is everything in the old age philosophy worldwide and of course, we thai are Jai based people, it was heart breaking for me as a teenager to learn that you could live without a heart but impossible without a brain; that fact, ruined it all!

As you go through this book, you'll learn about Jai(heart)through my eyes, an Isaan girl, yet half chinese blood who spent some years in Western countries and is laughing at everything that she lays here eyes on, come in, the door of my heart is open to you.

Chapter Zero

Thai jai(heart)

There are a few ways we Thai call the heart. the psysical heart as we know in the scientific world is called Hua Jai

Hua jai, Hua means head, root, essense,lead,top .... and jai is in fact what Hua is all about, the word itself suggested that

they, hua and jai should be one, not hua pai tang, jai pai tang(head one way and heart one way). Whoever put them words together knows what he/she's talking about.

Now the unit of Jai

Spiritually the unit of Jai is Dwang, Dwang is also a unit of two other things which are light and stars... they're both bright, sparkle and give ways and so as Jai, the heart, the soul, the spirit. A thai buddhist monk once said that Jit or Jai is 'Prapadsorn" meaning sparkling, illuminating like the sun light warming the world at it's rise in early morning. As a buddhist I do belive that naturally with no distractions our Jit our Jai are simply Prapadsorn.

What's jit?

Since I mentioned the word Jit, I might as well explain it right away. Jit can mean mind , soul or sometimes heart. For a more spiritual and religious explanation Jit is the nature that perceive emotions, the nature that perceive all our senses sometimes called the Knower or Puuroo in Thai. When we put jit and jai together we get whatever is left of us without our physical appearances. The nearest English word to Jit is the conciousness.

Thank you Bill.

2010-06-07T20:45:00.000+03:00

Bill Jones Just want to recommend the Thai Skype lessons by Bon. Lessons are tailored to what you need to be able to converse with Thais. I feel I've learned alot after 8 lessons. I not only learn alot but they're fun also. Thai lessons with a JaideeTV movie star! Soon she'll be so famous you won't be able to get Thai lessons. Ma...ybe soon I'll be able to understand JaideeTV.

Thailand to the world

2010-05-20T12:45:00.002+03:00

I made this in respond to Cat from womenlearnthai.com, this message is to all of us who love Thailand :) You can listen this post at www.jaideetv.mypodcast.com, the name of the clip is Thailand to the world. Love, BON.

ดิฉันเข้าใจว่า กลิ่นยางไหม้ เสียงปืน คนตาย คนบาดเจ็บและความเครียดรอบด้านเป็นประสบการณ์ที่นักท่องเที่ยวทั่วโลกไม่เคยคิดว่าจะเกิดขึ้นในดินแดนยิ้มสยามแห่งนี้ แต่มันได้เกิดขึ้นแล้วโดยที่ไม่มีวันจะเอาคืนได้ เช่นเดียวกับประสบการณ์ร้ายอื่นๆในชีวิตของพวกเราทุกคน ที่หากเราผ่านพ้นมันไปได้ มันจะทำให้เราแข็งแรงขึ้นและเข้าใจโลกมากขึ้น

I understand that the smell of burned rubber, gunshots, death, injured people and the stress all around is the the kind of experience that tourist from all over the expected to see in this Land of Smile, but it happened; we can never take it back. Just as other bad experiences in life that we all have faced, once we got over it, it makes us stronger and we understand the world better.

สำหรับผู้รักเมืองไทยไม่ว่าจะเป็นคนไทยหรือชาวต่างชาติ ซึ่งบ้างก็ใช้เวลาเป็นแรมเดือนแรมปี เพื่อที่จะเรียนภาษาไทย เพราะต้องการใช้เป็นเครื่องมือในการเข้าถึงวัฒนธรรมที่งดงามตามธรรมเนียมไทยนั้น สิ่งที่ดิฉันพอจะพูดได้ ก็คือ เมืองไทยที่ร้อนระอุด้วยการแบ่งแยกอยู่นั้นก็คือเมืองไทยที่คุณรู้จักกันมาโดยตลอด และถึงสถานณการณ์จะแย่กว่านี้หรือดีกว่านี้ นี่ก็คือเมืองไทยที่คุณรักมาโดยตลอด เพราะประเทศไทยหมายถึงคนไทย หากพี่น้องของคุณทะเลาะกันคุณคงไม่คิดจะเดินจากพวกเขาไปและไปหาพี่น้องใหม่ที่ดีกว่า เพราะอย่างไรพี่น้องก็คือพี่น้อง นั่นคือเหตุผลว่าทำไม เราเรียกคนแปลกหน้าว่า น้อง พี่ ป้า น้า อา ชาวไทย เป็นครอบครัวใหญ่ ที่มีพ่อและแม่ที่เราบูชาอย่าง พระเจ้าอยู่หัวและสมเด็จพระราชินี

For those who loves Thailand, Thais or foreigners who spent months and years learning Thai language so they can use it as a tool to really get in to the rich and beautiful culture of Thailand. The one thing I can say is that the Thailand that is burning of division is the Thailand that you've always known, weather the situation will get better or worse, this is the Thailand that you've been loving because Thailand is Thai people. If your siblings quarrel, you wouldn't just cut them out and go find new brothers and sisters because whatever happens we are siblings, the reason why we Thai people call each other, sister brother aunt uncle; we a one big family, we have the parents whom we worship over our lifes, the king and the queen.

เมื่อวานฉันนั่งฟังเสน์หลวงปู่ชา ท่านกล่าวว่า มะม่วงอ่อนลูกเล็ก ก็คือมะม่วงที่กำลังจะแก่และกลายเป็นลูกใหญ่ มะม่วงสุกงอมก็เคยเป็นมะม่วงอ่อนเล็กมาก่อน แต่มันก็คือมะม่วงลูกเดียวกัน เป็นสัจธรรมค่ะที่ สิ่งต่างๆเปลี่ยนแปลงอยู่ตลอด ไม่ว่าจะเป็นประเทศไทยหรือประเทศไหนๆในโลก แม้กระทั่งตัวเราเองก็ต้องเปลี่ยนแปลงในแบบที่ควบคุมไม่ได้ โลกก็เป็นแบบนี้ เมื่อประเทศไทยที่เคยสุขสงบ กลายเป็นประเทศไทยที่วุ่นวาย สะท้อนความจริงของโลก ว่านี่อาจไม่ใช่ความวุ่นวายครั้งสุดท้ายที่เมืองไทย ตะวันออกกลาง หรือที่อื่นๆในโลกต้องเผชิญ แต่การเปลี่ยนแปลงจะเกิดขึ้นอีก และเกิดขึ้นต่อไปอย่างไม่มีวันจบสิ้น ขอให้ประเทศไทยได้ภาพสะท้อนความจริงของชีวิต ให้ความจริงนี้ได้เข้าถึงแก่นใจคนทั่วโลก ให้ดูแลใจของตัวเองและของกันและกันไม่ว่าที่ไหน และเมื่อไร

Yesterday I listened to Luangpu Cha's dharma talk. He said that small raw green mango is the mango that will grow into the big ripe yellow mango , the big ripe yellow mango is the result of growing small raw green mango.... it is still the same mango.

The truth is that things change all the time weather it's Thailand of any countries in the world or even our own selves; changing uncontrollably. this is life.

Let Thailand that once was peaceful turned into turbulent Thailand reflects the truth of the world, that this is not going to be the last turbulence in Thailand or in the middle east or in other places on the face of the earth, there will be more change again... and again with no ends.

Let Thailand reflects the truth of life, let this truth touches the core of people's heart around the world so that we know to take care of our own hearts and each other, whenever, wherever

BON

You guys! It's War time!

2010-05-13T15:39:00.002+03:00

The voting for the top 100 language blog has started so go here and Click learn Thai the Bon's way, thank you students!

http://www.lexiophiles.com/language-blog-toplist/top-100-language-blogs-2010-vote-for-language-learning

Lesson 19: Open and Close

2010-05-08T17:41:00.003+03:00

This lesson we learn verb to open and verb to close

Open = Pbeerd
Close = Pbid
Door = Prathoo
Hainoi = ending sentenses of asking someone to do something for you

Structure of asking someone to do something for you

(optional the name of the person you're asking)+verb(what do want them to do)+object(do what)

Jenny, pbeerd(v) prathoo(o) hainoi? Jenny, can you open(verb) the door(object) for me.

Pbeerd and Pbid can also be used in terms of turning on and off as well.

Pbeerd fai - turn on the light
pbid computer -turn off the computer
pbeerd TV - turn on the TV

can you turn on the TV for me?

Pbeerd TV hainoi.

Thank to you all! Khob khun maak ka!

2010-05-01T10:46:00.003+03:00

Learn Thai the Bon's Way Great news guys! Learn Thai the Bon's Way has been nominated one of The Top 100 Language Blogs 2010 competition in the Language Learning category. The voting starts May 12. Watch this blog for more details!

Songran Day!!

2010-04-16T22:49:00.002+03:00

Happy Songran Day everybody!! Thank you for being here with Learn Thai the BOn's way. All the best to everyone :)Here's a little bit about Songkran History, enjoy!

Songkran is a Thai traditional New Year which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for 3 days. Songkran festival on April 13 is Maha Songkran Day or the day to mark the end of the old year, April 14 is Wan Nao which is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok which the New Year begins. At this time, people from the rural areas who are working in the city usually return home to celebrate the festival. Thus, when the time come, Bangkok temporarily turns into a deserted city.

Songkran is a Thai word which means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck.

The Songkran tradition is recognized as a valuable custom for the Thai community, society and religions. The value for family is to provide the opportunity for family members to gather in order to express their respects to the elders by pouring scented water onto the hands of their parents and grandparents and to present them gifts including making merits to dedicate the result to their ancestors. The elders in return wish the youngsters good luck and prosperity.

The values for community is to provide the opportunity to create unity in the community such as to jointly acquire merits, to meet each other and to enjoy the entertaining events. And for the society value is to create concern upon environment with cooperation such as to clean houses, temples, public places and official buildings. Thais value the religion bye means of merits acquisition, offerings alms to monks, Dhamma Practice, listening to sermon and monks-bathing.

In the afternoon, after performing a bathing rite for Buddha images and the monks, the celebrants both young and old, joyfully splash water oon each other. The most-talked about celebration takes place in the northern province of Chiang Mai where Songkran is celebrated from April 13 to 15. During this period, people from all parts of the country flock there to enjoy the water festival, to watch the Miss Songkran Contest and the beautiful parades.

18 learn Thai tone 1/2

2010-04-05T18:39:00.003+03:00

The 5 Thai TONES!! TADAAA

Here goes:

1st Samun Tone = Robot = stright = gooo
2nd Aek Tone = Weirdo = down = weirDO
3rd To Tone = Attitude = up down = DANG!
4th Three Tone = suspicious = up = uh HUH
5th Jathawa = canadian = down up = EH?

Now here's your exercise
Make 5 tones out of
1. Day
2. Ron
3. Thua
4. Nan
5. Dek

once you've done it, VDO respond to this vdo for me to check !

18 Thai tones 2/2

2010-04-05T18:37:00.004+03:00

The 5 Thai TONES!! TADAAA

Here goes:

1st Samun Tone = Robot = stright = gooo
2nd Aek Tone = Weirdo = down = weirDO
3rd To Tone = Attitude = up down = DANG!
4th Three Tone = suspicious = up = uh HUH
5th Jathawa = canadian = down up = EH?

Now here's your exercise
Make 5 tones out of
1. Day
2. Ron
3. Thua
4. Nan
5. Dek

once you've done it, VDO respond to this vdo for me to check !

Now what to say when go shopping!

2010-04-05T00:10:00.001+03:00

Going shopping is something most people do when they first arrive in Thailand. They are not only many air-conditioned shopping malls but also literally dozens of outdoor markets selling practically everything you would want. Prices in department stores are fixed but in markets it is expected for you to haggle the price. If you can speak some words for the shopping, it will be easier for you to haggle the price. Also, some shop keepers might give you a lower price from the foreigner’s price! Let’s start learning some of the words below …

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ราคาเท่าไร (ra ka thao rai)

How much is this?

แพงไป (paeng pbai?)

That is a little expensive.

ลดหน่อยได้ไหม (lot noi dai mai)

Can you make it cheaper?

*The Thai word “noi” means little and is used to make a request sound more polite. All “dai mai” questions are answered with “dai” for “yes” and “mai dai” for “no”.

……บาท ได้ไหม (… baht dai mai?)

How about … baht?

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ช่วยได้ไหม (chuay noi dai mai?)
Can you help me?

ขอดูได้ไหม (khor doo dai mai)
Can I see that?

ขอดูเฉยๆ(khor doo chey chey)
I am just looking.

จะมาใหม่ (ja ma mai)
I will come back later.

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มีใหญ่กว่าไหม (mee yai gwar mai)
Do you have something bigger?

*The thai word “yai” means “big”. Adding “gwar” after it makes it “bigger”.

มีเล็กกว่าไหม (mee lek gwar mai)

Do you have something smaller?

*The thai word “lek” means “small”. Adding “gwar” after it makes it “smaller”.

มีถูกกว่าไหม (mee took gwar mai)

Do you have something cheaper?

*The thai word “took” means “cheap”. Adding “gwar” after it makes it “cheaper”.

มีสีอื่นไหม (mee see auen mai)

Do you have another colour?

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จ่ายเงินที่ไหน (jai ngoen tee nai)

Where do I pay?

thanks to Kru Prea, languagehut

Warming up your tone before the next lesson

2010-03-30T11:18:00.003+03:00

Learn Thai : Tones and Meanings…

You guys! because our next lesson will be about TONES, here is our warm up, you know how it's always helpful to do preclass study.
Here goes:

When you think you hear “maa”, it might be the real “maa” which means “come” or it might be “máa” or “horse” or it could be “măa” or “dog”. Most of Thai words have meanings and some of them are pronounced in five different tones but might be heard the same by farang.

For example:

A: wan-nee-jeuh-tàeh-phôo-yĭng-suay-suay/วันนี้เจอแต่ผู้หญิงซวย ซวย (Today I met only damned women.)
B: wan-nee-jeuh-tàeh-phôo-yĭng-sŭay-sŭay/วันนี้เจอแต่ผู้หญิงสวย สวย (Today I met only beautiful women.)
A: wan-nee-suay-jing-jing/วันนี้ซวยจริง จริง (Today I really got bad luck.)
B: wan-nee-thóng-fáa-sŭay/วันนี้ท้องฟ้าสวย (Today the sky is beautiful.)
***suay (ซวย) means bad luck and suay is pronounced with the first tone
***sŭay (สวย ) means beautiful and sŭay is pronounced with the fifth tone

A: chăn-chôb-doo-khàw/ ฉันชอบดูข่าว (I like to watch news.)
B: chăn-yàag-gin-khâw-râad-gaehng/ ฉันอยากกินข้าวราดแกง (I want to eat rice and curry.)
C: chăn-chôb-chúd-sĕe-khăw/ ฉันชอบชุดสีขาว (I like white dresses.)
*** khàw (ข่าว ) , pronounced with the second tone, means news.
*** khâw (ข้าว ) , pronounced with the third tone, means rice.
*** khăw (ขาว ) , pronounced with the fifth tone, means white.

A: chăn-chôb-sa-làd-khài/ ฉันชอบสลัดไข่ (I like egg salad.)
B: chăn-kíd-wâa-chăn-bpen-khâi/ ฉันคิดว่าฉันเป็นไข้ (I think I have a fever.)
C: chăn-jam-dâi-wâa-chăn-khăi-gun-jaeh-pra-dtoo-láew/ ฉันจำได้ว่าฉันไขกุญแจประตูแล้ว (I remembered that I unlocked the door already.)
*** khài (ไข่ ) means eggs, we pronounce it with the second tone
*** khâi (ไข้ ) means fever, we pronounce it with the third tone
*** khăi (ไข ) means unlock, we pronounce it with the fifth tone

A: chăn-súh-dtúg-ga-dta-khŏn-sàt-tua-mài-maa/ ฉันซื้อตุ๊กตาขนสัตว์ตัวใหม่มา (I bought new stuffed animal.)
B: chăn-mâi-chôb-bpai-hăa-mŏh/ ฉันไม่ชอบไปหาหมอ (I don’t like to see the doctor.)
C: chăn-dâi-glìn-a-rai-mâi-ná/ ฉันได้กลิ่นอะไรไหม้นะ (I smelt something burning.)
D: Phâa-măi-thai-dâi-ráb-gaan-yóg-yông-nai-thăa-na-phâa-thoh-thêe-dee-thêe-sùd-nai-lôhg/ผ้าไหมไทยได้รับการยกย่องในฐานะผ้าทอที่ดีที่สุดในโลก (Thai silk is acclaimed as the finest fabric in the world.)
E: khun-chôb-aa-hăan-thai-măi/ คุณชอบอาหารไทยไหม (Do you like Thai food?)
*** mài (ใหม่ ) means new and is pronounced with the second tone.
*** mâi (ไม่ ) means no and is pronounced with the third tone.
*** mâi (ไหม้ ) means burn and is also pronounced with the third tone.
*** măi (ไหม) means silk and is pronounced with the fifth tone.
*** măi (ไหม) , also pronounced with the fifth tone, put at the end of the Yes/No question.

A: chăn-yàag-jà-bòhg-laa/ ฉันอยากจะบอกลา (I want to say goodbye.)
B: chăn-kíd-wâa-laa-nâa-rág/ ฉันคิดว่าลาน่ารัก (I think donkeys are lovely.)
C: khun-chôb-lâa-sàt-măi/ คุณชอบล่าสัตว์ไหม (Do you like to hunt?)
D: chăn-rúh-sèug-láa/ ฉันรู้สึกล้า (I feel tired.)
E: rao-khăay-phâa-măi-bpen-lăa/เราขายผ้าไหมเป็นหลา (We sell silk by the yard.)
*** laa (ลา) means goodbye, this word is pronounced with the first tone.
*** laa (ลา) this word is pronounced with the first tone also but means donkeys.
*** lâa (ล่า) means hunt, we pronounced it with the third tone.
*** láa (ล้า) , pronounced with the fourth tone, means tired.
*** lăa (หลา) means yard and is pronounced with the fifth tone.

Thanks to Kru May languagehut

lesson 18 short but sufficeint 1/2

2010-03-22T19:03:00.005+02:00

After the survay on facebook another short but sufficient is UP!
Verb of the day is RRo รอ

Danny rro katie yuutee the Mall แดนนี่รอแคที่อยู่ที่เดอะมอลล์ Danny is waiting for Katie at the Mall.
Chan rro Jenny yuutee Baan ฉันรอเจนนี่อยู่ที่บ้าน I am waiting for Jenny at home

Basically here is how you say you 're waiting for someone somewhere

S+rro+O+yuutee+place

and here is how you say you're waiting for someone for a long time

S+rro+O+nan maak (on the other hand not long is MAI nan, and there's other ways of saying as well in part two of this lesson)

First short but sufficient is

Nidnoi - just a little (use it with anything)

ngoo ngoo pla pla - just a little( use it with only language skill) one knows a few words in the language and can maybe get by with thoes words :)

lesson 18 Short but sufficient 2/2

2010-03-22T19:01:00.005+02:00

Now we are on to Short but sufficient about the TIME

rew rew noi เร็วๆหน่อย hurry up

chaa chaa noi ช้าๆหน่อย slow down

now different attitude of won't be long

1. (annoyed) Deaw si ++ this one is my usually answer to too many times of "rew rew noi."

2 (not annoyed) Deaw na ++ nice aned chillin answer

The pbap family

1. pbab nung - just a sec

2.pbab deaw - not for long

3. rro pap - wait a sec

If someone asked you "Rro nan mai?"(waited long?) Pbab deaw makes more sense.

If you're with your customer in a shop and your mate stoped by to say hi " Pbap nung or rro pbab make sense to me.

So until the next lesson " rro pap :)"

Have troubles sayin NO?

2010-03-19T11:33:00.002+02:00

How to say “No” in Thai.By Jang

Thailand is not really that bad with street hawkers, tuk tuk drivers or people trying to sell you something. International sign language of shaking your head and walking on usually works. But try some of these phrases, you might surprise them. They then might stop bothering you.

ไม่เอาครับ mài ao khrab* I don’t want any

ไม่มีตังค์ mài mi: dtang I don’t have any money

ลืมเอาตังค์มา lum ao dtang ma: I forgot my money
*for women you must say kâ not kráp.

When you are walking down a street you might hear someone ask you “bai nai?” This means “Where are you going?” Usually it will be a tuk tuk driver but sometimes just an ordinary person. Some visitors get annoyed because they hear it so often. But really, “bai nai” is like a greeting and the person isn’t really interested in your answer.

A: ไปไหน bai nǎi?

Where are you going?

B: ไปเที่ยว bai tîaw

going out for pleasure
That might be enough for most people. But, if a tuk tuk driver is insistant try:

จะเดินไป ja der:n bai I want to walk

A common complaint we get are about tuk tuk drivers or other people telling tourists that a temple or museum is closed for the day. They then take the tourists to another place and then eventually a gem shop. This is a scam. Try some of these replies:

ไม่เชื่อ mài chûa I don’t believe you

ไม่จริง mài jing Not true
จะไปดูเอง ja bai du: e:ng I want to go and see for myself
เคยไปมาแล้ว ker:y bai ma: láe:w I have been there already
ไม่อยากไป mài yàk bai I don’t want to go

Hope you enjoyed learning Thai…

Thanks to Prae for this Article

Lesson 17:The Chang songs, the most famous song in Thailand

2010-03-15T15:11:00.004+02:00

I swear guys, this might be the first song I've ever learned or any Thai kids..I love it, you learn about body parts of this Thai national animal, enjoy!

Chang Chang Chang Chang Chang Elephants Elephants Elephants Elephants Elephants
Nong keay hen chang rue plaw? Have you ever seen elephants?
Chang mun thua tho mai bao Elephants, are quite big in size
Jamook yao yao reeag wa ngooang Long nose is called Ngooang
me keaw thai ngooang reeag wa ngang have teeth underneath Ngang is called Ngang
mee hoo me tha haang yaoo have ears have eyes, long tail

ช้าง ช้าง ช้าง ช้างช้าง
น้องเคยเห็นช้างรึเปล่า
ช้างมันตัวโตไม่เบา
จมูกยาวๆ เรียกว่างวง
มีเขี้ยวใต้งวงเรียกว่างาง
มีหูมีตา หางยา;

We will end this with a proverb about Chang.

Chang thigh(die) tang(whole) thua(animal unit) aow(take) bai(leaf) bua(lotus) ma(come) pbid(cover) = ช้างตายทั้งตัวเอาใบบัวมาปิด
word by word traslation
Elephant die, cover with lotus leaf
meaning
Serious scandals can not be kept secret just as how you can't cover a dead elephant with just a lotus leaf :)

Learn it to earn it!
BON

lesson 16: Verb to have

2010-03-15T14:56:00.004+02:00

Verb to be in Thai "MEE" มี

I have a pen
=Chan/Pom mee(have) pargga(pen) ฉันมีปากกา

now try use verb to have with our knowledge of units and numbers

John has 2 red cars
= John mee(have) rod(car) see(colored) dang(red) song(two) kan(cars' unit).
จอร์นมีรถสีแดงสองคัน

I have one sister and two brothers
=Chan/pom mee peehsao(older sister) 1 khon lea(and)peechai(older brother) 2 khon(humans unit) ฉันมีพี่สาวหนึ่งคนและพี่ชายสองคน

Basic telephone phrases

2010-03-14T19:17:00.002+02:00

The following is an imaginary conversation on the telephone. I have tried to keep it simple so that it will be easier for you to remember. Some of the phrase books give you really long examples which are complicated and not necessary. If you listen to a Thai person speaking on the phone you will often hear them say "krub, krub, krub". This is like saying "yes, yes, yes". To be extra polite to an older person like my grandparents I will say "krub phom" every few minutes. Don't forget girls will say "kaa".

Sam: Hello. May I speak to Danny please? (hello khor sai Danny krub)

Danny's dad: Who is calling? (jark krai * krub)

Sam: Sam. (Sam krub)

Danny's dad: Please wait. (ror suk kru krub)

Sam: OK. (krub)

Danny: Hello. (hello)

Sam: Hello. Danny? This is Sam. (hello Danny rer** nee Sam na)

Danny: Hi Sam. What's up? (sawatdee*** Sam mee a-rai rer)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extra phrases:

Danny is not here. (Danny mai yoo)

When will Danny be back? (laew Danny ja glub mua rai krub)

That's all, bye? (kae nee na krub sa wat dee krub)

More useful phrases & words:

Can you please tell him/her that I called? (bork khao wa phom toh ma dai mai?)

Can you ask him/her to call me back? (bork khao hai toh glub har phom dai mai?)

My number is ... (ber toh ra sub phom keu ...)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Contact (dtid dtor)

Extension 123 (dtor neung song sam)

Wrong number (toh phid)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TIPS:

* literally "from who"
** "rer" means question mark.
*** with friends I usually shorten "watdee" instead of saying the full "sawatdee". "Sawatdee" is normally used with elders.

Thanks to learningthai.com

The Chang song!! Every Thai knows this song!

2010-03-14T11:14:00.005+02:00

I swear guys, this might be the first song I've ever learned or any Thai kids..I love it, you learn about body parts of this Thai national animal, enjoy!

Chang Chang Chang Chang Chang Elephants Elephants Elephants Elephants Elephants
Nong keay hen chang rue plaw? Have you ever seen elephants?
Chang mun thua tho mai bao Elephants, are quite big in size
Jamook yao yao reeag wa ngooang Long nose is called Ngooang
me keaw thai ngooang reeag wa ngang have teeth underneath Ngang is called Ngang
mee hoo me tha haang yaoo have ears have eyes, long tail

ช้าง ช้าง ช้าง ช้างช้าง
น้องเคยเห็นช้างรึเปล่า
ช้างมันตัวโตไม่เบา
จมูกยาวๆ เรียกว่างวง
มีเขี้ยวใต้งวงเรียกว่างาง
มีหูมีตา หางยาง

We will end this with a proverb about Chang.

Chang thigh(die) tang(whole) thua(animal unit) aow(take) bai(leaf) bua(lotus) ma(come) pbid(cover) = ช้างตายทั้งตัวเอาใบบัวมาปิด
word by word traslation
Elephant die, cover with lotus leaf
meaning
Serious scandals can not be kept secret just as how you can't cover a dead elephant with just a lotus leaf :)

Learn it to earn it!
BON

Telling Time = Borg wealaa

2010-03-14T10:31:00.003+02:00

After the sun rises, We use “mong-cháo” to indicate that it's morning time or AM.

หกโมงเช้า/hòg-mong-cháo/6 a.m.

เจ็ดโมงเช้า/jèt-mong-cháo/7 a.m.

แปดโมงเช้า/bpàed-mong-cháo/8 a.m.

เก้าโมงเช้า/khâo-mong-cháo/9 a.m.

สิบโมงเช้า/sìp-mong-cháo/10 a.m.

สิบเอ็ดโมงเช้า/sìp-èt-mong-cháo/11 a.m.

Then we change to “bàai-mong” after midday ( เที่ยง/thîehng/12 a.m.).

บ่ายโมง/bàai-mong/1 p.m.

บ่ายสองโมง/bàai-sŏhng-mong/2 p.m.

บ่ายสามโมง/bàai-săam-mong/3 p.m.

บ่ายสี่โมง/bàai-sèe-mong/4 p.m.

And we change again at 5 p.m. ( ห้าโมงเย็น/hâa-mong-yen )

หกโมงเย็น/hòg-mong-yen/6 p.m.

After the sun sets, ”thûm” is put to use to indicate that it's PM.

หนึ่งทุ่ม/nùng-thûm/7 p.m.

สองทุ่ม/sŏhng- thûm/8 p.m.

สามทุ่ม/ săam-thûm/9 p.m.

สี่ทุ่ม/sèe-thûm/10 p.m.

ห้าทุ่ม/hâa- thûm/11 p.m.

After midnight (เที่ยงคืน/thîehng-kheuan/12 p.m.)

ตีหนึ่ง/dtee-nùng/1 a.m.

ตีสอง/dtee- sŏhng/2 a.m.

ตีสาม/dtee- săam/3 a.m.

ตีสี่/dtee- sèe /4 a.m.

ตีห้า/dtee-hâa/5 a.m.

Thais don't say " half to ...some time..." ever. There's only "half past some time" in THai sentence structure So that“a half”, in Thai is “krûng”. Here's how to put it together.

หกโมงครึ่ง/hòg-mong-krûng/6.30 a.m.

เจ็ดโมงครึ่ง/jèt-mong-krûng/7.30 a.m.

แปดโมงครึ่ง/ bpàed-mong-krûng/8.30 a.m.

เก้าโมงครึ่ง/khâo-mong- krûng /9.30 a.m.

สิบโมงครึ่ง/sìp-mong- krûng /10.30 a.m.

สิบเอ็ดโมงครึ่ง/sìp-èt-mong- krûng /11.30 a.m.

เที่ยงครึ่ง/thîehng- krûng /12.30 p.m.

บ่ายโมงครึ่ง/bàai-mong- krûng /1.30 p.m.

บ่ายสองโมงครึ่ง/bàai-sŏhng-mong- krûng /2.30 p.m.

บ่ายสามโมงครึ่ง/bàai-săam-mong- krûng /3.30 p.m.

บ่ายสี่โมงครึ่ง/bàai-sèe-mong- krûng /4.30 p.m.

ห้าโมงครึ่ง/hâa-mong- krûng /5.30 p.m.

หกโมงครึ่ง/hòg-mong- krûng /6.30 p.m.

ทุ่มครึ่ง/thûm- krûng /7.30 p.m.

สองทุ่มครึ่ง/sŏhng- thûm- krûng /8.30 p.m.

สามทุ่มครึ่ง/ săam-thûm- krûng /9.30 p.m.

สี่ทุ่มครึ่ง/sèe-thûm- krûng /10.30 p.m.

ห้าทุ่มครึ่ง/hâa- thûm- krûng /11.30 p.m.

เที่ยงคืนครึ่ง/thîehng-khuehn- krûng /00.30 a.m.

ตีหนึ่งครึ่ง/dtee-nùng- krûng /1.30 a.m.

ตีสองครึ่ง/dtee- sŏhng- krûng /2.30 a.m.

ตีสามครึ่ง/dtee- săam- krûng /3.30 a.m.

ตีสี่ครึ่ง/dtee- sèe- krûng /4.30 a.m.

ตีห้าครึ่ง/dtee-hâa- krûng /5.30 a.m.

for "minutes past", use it American way. No.hr. + mong+ No. of mins

หกโมงสิบ/hòg-mong-sìp/6.10 a.m.

เจ็ดโมงสิบ/jèt-mong–sìp /7.10 a.m.

แปดโมงสิบ/ bpàed-mong–sìp /8.10 a.m.

เก้าโมงสิบ/khâo-mong–sìp /9.10 a.m.

สิบโมงสิบ/sìp-mong–sìp /10.10 a.m.

สิบเอ็ดโมงสิบ/sìp-èt-mong–sìp /11.10 a.m.

เที่ยงสิบ/thîehng- sìp /12.10 p.m.

บ่ายโมงสิบ/bàai-mong-sìp /1.10 p.m.

บ่ายสองโมงสิบ/bàai-sŏhng-mong-sìp /2.10 p.m.

บ่ายสามโมงสิบ/bàai-săam-mong-sìp /3.10 p.m.

บ่ายสี่โมงสิบ/bàai-sèe-mong-sìp /4.10 p.m.

ห้าโมงสิบ/hâa-mong-sìp /5.10 p.m.

หกโมงสิบ/hòg-mong-sìp /6.10 p.m.
thanks to languagehut.com

Home appliance

2010-03-13T23:44:00.003+02:00

“Chán chuêh-waâ” which means “I believe” that nowadays people cannot live without home appliances. They are like one part of our body (muěn-bpen-suàn-neùng-kŏng-raâng-gaai เหมือนเป็นส่วนหนึ่งของร่างกาย).…without them we’ll feel like (roó-seùk-muěn-gàb-waâ รู้สึกเหมือนกับว่า) something is missing or ‘àrai-baang-yaàng-haaĭ-bpai อะไรบางอย่างหายไป’

** First of all…let’s take a look at the vocabulary about the home appliances**

Air-conditioner = air / kruêng-bpràp-aa-gaàt = แอร์ / เครื่องปรับอากาศ

Television/TV = toe-rá-tát / tee-wee = โทรทัศน์ / ทีวี

DVD player = kruêng-lên-dee-wee-dee = เครื่องเล่นดีวีดี

Radio = wíd-tá-yú = วิทยุ

CD player = kruêng-lên-see-dee = เครื่องเล่นซีดี

Computer = kom-píw-dtoêr = คอมพิวเตอร์

Speaker = lam-pohng = ลำโพง

Microphone = mai-kro-fohn = ไมโครโฟน

Adapter = adáptôr / kruêng-bplaing-fai-faá = อแด๊ปเตอร์ / เครื่องแปลงไฟฟ้า

MP3 player = kruêng-lên-em-pee-saăm = เครื่องเล่นเอ็มพีสาม

Digital camera = glông-taài-roôp-dí-ji-dtâwn = กล้องถ่ายรูปดิจิตอล

Video camera = glông-taài-wee-dee-oh = กล้องถ่ายวีดีโอ

Cell phone = toe-rá-sàp-meuh-teŭh = โทรศัพท์มือถือ

Remote control = ree-mòhd = รีโมท

Refrigerator = dtoô-yen = ตู้เย็น

Microwave = dtao-mai-kro-waíb = เตาไมโครเวฟ

Gas cooker = dtao-gaêd = เตาแก๊ส

Rice cooker = môr-hŭng-kaaô = หม้อหุงข้าว

Electric kettle = grà-dtìk-nám-ráwn = กระติกน้ำร้อน

Washing machine = kruêng-sák-paâ = เครื่องซักผ้า

Electric fan = pád-lom = พัดลม

Electric iron = dtao-reêd = เตารีด

To turn on/ switch on = bpoèrd = เปิด

To turn off/ switch off = bpìd = ปิด

To turn down = bao = เบา

To turn up = poêrm = เพิ่ม

Not working/ not functioning = siă / maî-tam-ngaang = เสีย / ไม่ทำงาน

Now when your home appliance equipment is not working you can send it back to the service center or ‘soŏn-bor-rí-gaan ศูนย์บริการ’ to get it fixed or mended. To ask if it can be fixed you have to say ‘sâwm daî-maí? (ซ่อมได้มั้ย)’ which means ‘Can you fix it?’. If it can’t be fixed or mended (sâwm maî-daî ซ่อมไม่ได้) then it is time to say ‘goodbye or laa-gàwn (ลาก่อน)’ to your equipment and buy a new one or ‘seúh-maì ซื้อใหม่’

Warranty? Ráp-bprà-gan รับประกัน
Usually when you buy home appliance equipment you will also get the warranty card or bai-ráp-bprà-gan (ใบรับประกัน) so that when your equipment has a problem or ‘mee-bpan-haă มีปัญหา’ you can get it fixed or mended for free. But when the warranty is expired or ‘mòhd-aa-yú หมดอายุ’ you will need to pay for the repair.

Where to buy? Seúh teê-naĭ dee? ชื้อที่ไหนดี
In Bangkok and big cities we usually go to the department stores or shopping malls (haâng-sàp-pá-sĭn-kaá ห้างสรรพสินค้า) there are many brands (yeê-hôr ยี่ห้อ) and models (roôn รุ่น) for you to select (luêrk เลือก) and you can be sure that you will not be cheated. When you have a problem with the merchandise that you buy you can bring it back or ‘ao-glàb-maa เอากลับมา’ to the department stores and they will send it to the service center for you.

thanks to languagehut.cin

Days of the week

2010-03-13T23:39:00.003+02:00

วันอาทิตย์ (wan a:-thít) Sunday

วันจันทร์ (wan jan) Monday

วันอังคาร (wan ang-ka:n) Tuesday

วันพุธ (wan pút) Wednesday

วันพฤหัสบดี (wan prú-hùt-sà-bor:-di:) Thursday

or (wan pá-rú-hàt)

วันศุกร์ (wan sùk) Friday

วันเสาร์ (wan sǎo) Saturday

Thanks to languagehut.com

Starting a convo, with astrology!

2010-03-13T23:28:00.003+02:00

To ask “what year were you born?” in Thai “khun goèrd bpee àrai?”

When referring to years in Thailand, we usually use ‘Buddhist Era’ or ‘B.E.’
The word ‘Buddhist Era’ in Thai is ‘pút-tá-sàk-gà-raàt’. And in short as abbreviation we just say ‘por-sŏr’ which means ‘B.E.’

e.g. Q: Khun goèrd bpee àrai? What year were you born?

A: Chan goèrd bpee 2525 (săwng-pan-haâ-roí-yeê-sìb-haâ) or

Chan goèrd bpee 2525 (săwng-haâ-săwng-haâ) or

Chan goèrd bpee 25 (săwng-haâ) à most used one

Q: Bpee neé bpee por-sŏr àrai? What B.E year is this year?

A: Bpee neé bpee 2552 (săwng-pan-haâ-roí-haâ-sìb-săwng) or

Bpee neé bpee 2552 (săwng-haâ-haâ-săwng) or

Bpee neé bpee 52 (haâ-săwng) à most used one

We do sometimes use ‘kor-sŏr’ which stands for Krít-sàk-gà-raàt, the ‘Christian Era’

e.g. Q: Khun goèrd bpee àrai? What year were you born?

A: Pŏm goèrd bpee 1980 (neùng-pan-gaô-roí-bpaèd-sìb) or

Pŏm goèrd bpee 1980 (neùng-gaô-bpaèd-soŏn) à most used one

In‘Hŏ-raa-saàt-Thai’ which means Thai astrology we have the Zodiac of 12 animal signs like in Chinese one which represent the different types of personality and characteristics. The twelve signs are as follows:

Bpee Chuâd = Rat year ปีชวด

Bpee Chà-loŏ = Ox year ปีฉลู

Bpee Kaăn = Tiger year ปีขาล

Bpee Toàh = Rabbit year ปีเถาะ

Lesson 15 Colors Talk

2010-03-13T15:48:00.002+02:00

We missed one color in espisode 14 which is Pink - Seeh Chompoo

Now let's learn more into the word Seeh (colors)
Seeh also means the action of rubbing one thing against another repeatedly
We use it with musical instrument such as Violin and Saw( Thai instrument)

Dark colors - Seeh(color) Khem(dark) exp. Dark green - seeh keaw khem
Light colors- Seeh on(light) exp. Light green - seeh keaw on

HOw to say something is.... color?

Subject+seeh+ ...(color)..
Thang huu seeh tong - Gold earings
Sua see Dumm - Black top
Pom see Dumm - Black hair

toothbrush - prang(brush) see(rub) fun(teeth)
Prang seeh fun see luerang - yellow toothbrush

Some colors means somethingeles
1. Tong = Gold
2. Ngern = silver = money ( Can I have some money? Kor ngern dai mai"
3. Naamtan = brown =Suger ( Treditionally Thais use palm suger and they're brown)
4. Fah = sky blue =Sky
5. Som = orange

Thai saying
Seeh(rub) saw(Thai instrument) hai(for) kwhy(buffalo) fung(listen)
Doing something or teaching something to people who are clueless

Lesson 14 Colors

2010-03-13T15:41:00.005+02:00

Colors

Purple Seeh Muang
Green Seeh Keaw
Yellow Seeh Leauang
Red Seeh Dang
Blue Seeh Num Ngern
Sky blue Seeh Faah
Black Seeh Dumm
White Seeh Kaaw
Grey Seeh taao
Orange Seeh Som
Brown Seeh Namtaan
Gold Seeh tong
Silver Seeh ngern
Trasparent Saii