Particles pt 1. What are Thai particles?

Explanation

When listening to spoken Thai, you'll notice Thais use a lot of "particles" in their sentences. Particles are short words usually placed at the end of phrase that can change the meaning of the phrase or change the mood. Many particles have no direct English translations but you will not sound native if you don't use them. You have already seen many particles such as - ครับ (kráp) = polite particle men add at the end of their statements/questions, - ค่ะ (kâ) = polite particle women add at the end of their statements - คะ (ká) = polite particle women add at the end of their questions, - question word + นะ (ná) = used to ask someone to repeat what they said In the next grammar points, we will dive deeper into different particles.

Pattern

phrase + particle

Examples

ครับ

kráp

yes/okay (spoken by men)

คะ

ká

yes/okay (spoken by women)

อะไรนะ

à-rai ná

What? (repeat what you said please)

สวัสดีค่ะ

sà-wàt-dee kâ

Hi (spoken by women)