A lot of Thai learners use the word “ถาม [tǎam]” when what they want to say is actually ขอ [kǎw]. And many of them also use ขอ [kǎw] when they’re supposed to use ขอให้ [kǎw hâi]. Are you one of those people who make this common mistake? Learn the difference and use each word correctly from now on.

ถาม [tǎam] to ask a question
ขอ [kǎw] to ask for something
ขอให้ [kǎw hâi] to ask someone to do something

ฉันไม่ชอบเวลาคนมาถามอายุฉันเลย
[chán mâi châwp welaa kon maa tǎam aayú chán loei]
I hate it when someone asks me how old I am.

อยากได้อะไรก็ไปขอเขา
[yàak dâai arai gâw pai kǎw káo]
If you want anything, go ask him.

ทุกคนขอให้ผมหยุดพูด
[túkkon kǎw hâi phǒm yùt phûut]
Everyone asked me to shut up.

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