It’s very important to get the pronunciation correct when you speak Thai, especially because there are hundreds of words that have similar pronunciations. A lot of Thai learners make a mistake when they want to say “คอ ควาย [khaw khwaai]” which is the name of one of the 44 initial consonants we have in Thai, and end up saying the F word instead!

The pronunciations of the two words are very similar. The word “buffalo” or “ควาย” [khwaai] is comprised of the consonant cluster “คว = ค + ว” [khw = kh + w], the vowel “า” [aa], and the final consonant “ย” (y), which, together with the vowel, could be pronounced as a diphthong “aai.” Whereas the F word in Thai is comprised of the initial consonant “ค” [kh], the vowel ” ัว” [ua] and the final consonant “ย” (y).

Buffalo = ควาย [khwaai]. (pronounced with the mouth wide open like when you’re smiling)
The F word = ควย [khuai]. (pronounced with rounded lips)

Note that when the vowel ” ัว” [ua] is followed by a final consonant, the mark on top, which is called “ไม้หันอากาศ” [máai hǎn aagàat], will disappear and only “ว” is visible. Therefore, the “ว” in “buffalo” is a consonant whereas “ว” in “f***” is a vowel.

Every time you say “buffalo,” make sure you pronounce it with the lips unrounded.

For more practice on words with similar pronunciations, watch this PickupThai’s video below. And don’t forget to subscribe to PickupThai’s Youtube Channel.

P.S. Depending on the context, the word ควาย [khwaai] could also taken as an insult as Thai people associate stupid people with buffaloes. Make sure you don’t call someone “ควาย [khwaai].” As long as you refer it to the animal, you’re fine.

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