Yuki & Miki @ PickupThai

1498911_596927420405300_24598540404615515_o

Following are interesting quotes we have compiled from the Internet, most of which are inspiring and motivating. Some were originally in Thai, some translated from other languages. But either way, we provide both Thai and English versions, with audio (as always) so you can learn something about life from these quotes and pick up Thai at the same time.…

Continue reading Interesting Quotes and Wise Sayings

Some Thai words can be pronounced differently when spoken than when they are written. Although these following common standard words are also normally used in spoken language, there is/are (a) more informal colloquial way(s) to pronounce them. When Thai people speak to each other in real life, they do not take the effort to pronounce every single sound properly and accurately, rather, they pronounce words in a more relaxed manner, thus, some words get shortened or the sounds of more than one syllable are combined, as a result.

Continue reading Standard VS Colloquial Pronunciations of Common Thai Words

Test Your Colloquial Thai Knowledge

For Advanced learners: complete each sentence with a word that would make sense and sound natural in spoken Thai. When finished, listen to the recording below each sentence to check if you got it correct.

For Intermediate learners: listen to the the recording and fill the blank with the missing word that you hear.

Continue reading Colloquial Thai Test

A unique exercise for intermediate-level learners and above, who are quite familiar with various colloquial Thai expressions used in everyday conversation. There are 12 messages that you need to find appropriate responses to. Each one has 3 choices but only 1 would fit. Ready for the challenge?

1. พ่อครับ ผมไปขอโทษแม่แล้วนะครับ
a.…

Continue reading How Would You Respond to This in Thai?

One of the most difficult things for Thai learners to pick up is probably listening skills, especially when Thai people talk at normal speed. Apart from having to know enough vocabulary words, you also need a good amount of time to get used to the pronunciation, the intonation and all. Sometimes even the words you know very well could be hard to catch when they are spoken.

Continue reading Practice Listening to Normal Speed Thai


1.
However = อย่างไรก็ตาม [yàng rai kôr taam]
We met for the first time last year. However, we only really got to know each other this year.
เราเจอกันครั้งแรกปีก่อน อย่างไรก็ตาม เราเพิ่งจะมารู้จักกันจริงๆปีนี้

2. Anyway = อย่างไรก็ดี [yàng rai kôr dii]
This problem is really hard to solve. Anyway, we still have one week left.

Continue reading Frequently Used Conjunctive Adverbs

เริ่มงาน [rêrm ngaan] To start a job
งานใหม่ [ngaan mài] New job
งานเก่า [ngaan gào] Previous job
งานประจำ [ngaan pràjam] Full-time job
งานเสริม [ngaan sěrm] Sideline job
บริษัท [bawrisàt] Company
ที่ทำงาน [tîi tam ngaan] Workplace
ตำแหน่ง [tam nàeng] Position
เจ้านาย [jâo naai] Boss
หัวหน้า [hŭa nâa] Supervisor
ผู้จัดการ [pûu jàtkaan] Manager
ลูกน้อง [lûuk nóng] Subordinate
ค่าจ้าง [kâa jâang] Wage
การจ้างงาน [kaan jâang ngaan] Employment
นายจ้าง [naai jâang] Employer
ลูกจ้าง [lûuk jâang] Employee
พนักงาน [panákngaan] Employee / staff
เงินเดือน [ngern deuan] Monthly salary
ขึ้นเงินเดือน [kêun ngern deuan] To increase one’s salary
ลดเงินเดือน [lót ngern deuan] To decrease one’s salary
เลื่อนตำแหน่ง [leûn tam nàeng] To promote
หางาน [hăa ngaan] To look for a job
สมัครงาน [samàk ngaan] To apply for a job
ใบสมัครงาน [bai samàk ngaan] Job application
สัมภาษณ์งาน [sămpâat ngan] Job interview
ประเมินผล [pràmern pŏn] Evaluate
เข้างาน [kâo ngaan] To clock in
ออกงาน [àwk ngaan] To clock out
มาเช้า [maa cháo] To arrive early
มาสาย [maa săai] To arrive late
เลิกงาน [lêrk ngaan] To get off work
หยุดงาน [yùt ngaan] To take a day off/a vacation
เสร็จงาน [sèt ngaan] To finish work, to get off work
ลาหยุด [laa yùt] To take a leave
ลาป่วย [laa pùai] To take a sick leave
ลาออก [laa àwk] To resign
ถูกไล่ออก [tùuk lâi àwk] To get fired
ออกจากงาน [àwk jàk ngaan] To leave one’s job

Continue reading Frequently Used Work-Related Vocabulary

In this video, khru Miki Chidchaya teaches how to pronounce words that have similar pronunciations, in terms of vowels and consonants. After watching the video, you will learn how to pronounce them correctly and communicate better.

Below are the sentences from the video and translation in English.
Please note that some of the words carry more than one meaning.…

Continue reading Words with Similar Pronunciation

Let’s practice all the five tones in Thai with khru Miki Chidchaya. After this video, you will be able to pronounce each tone correctly and make it easier for the Thais to understand what you want to say. The five tones are mid tone, low tone, falling tone, high tone and rising tone.…

Continue reading Five Tones in Thai

In this video, khru Miki Chidchaya explains the grammar rules for comparison. She will show you how to compare two subjects (e.g. the weather in Canada is colder than the weather in Thailand.), as well as how to talk about the change within one subject (e.g. the weather got hotter.) After watching the video, you will be able to express comparison in Thai correctly.…

Continue reading How to Compare Things in Thai

In this video, khru Yuki Tachaya explains how to use the three different expressions that mean “the same” in Thai: เหมือนกัน, เดียวกัน, เท่ากัน. You will also see a funny introduction video where she portrays a Thai guy and a drunk Western guy. After watching the video, you will have a clear understanding of when to use each word and won’t make the common mistake everyone else does again.…

Continue reading How to Say “The Same” in Thai: เหมือนกัน, เดียวกัน, เท่ากัน