To know how to do something

Explanation

In the newbie grammar points, we learned that ได้ (dâai) means "can" in Thai. Another important word, เป็น (bpen), also means "can" but in the sense of "knowing how to do something." In everyday speech (just like in English), you might use ได้ (dâai) to say you can do something, but if you want to be more accurate, เป็น (bpen) is the correct choice when talking about a skill or ability. For example: - ฉันพูดภาษาไทยได้ (chăn pôot paa-săa tai dâai) = "I can speak Thai." but for more accuracy, you should say - ฉันพูดภาษาไทยเป็น (chăn pôot paa-săa tai bpen) = "I know how to speak Thai." Just like ได้ (dâai), เป็น (bpen) is placed at the end of the phrase.

Pattern

...เป็น (bpen)

Examples

ฉันว่ายน้ำเป็น

chăn wâai nám bpen

I can swim (I have the ability to swim/I know how to swim).

คุณพูดภาษาไทยเป็นไหม

kun pôot paa-săa tai bpen măi

Can you speak Thai? (Do you know how to speak Thai?)

ฉันเล่นเปียโนไม่เป็น

chăn lên bpiia noh mâi bpen

I don't know how to play piano.