Asking For Something

[DavidUK21]

Anyone know a good general phrase to ask for something politely in thai? Say, in a shop for example. does 'pom yaak dai <xxxx> khrab' do ok?

Cheers

[Totster]

I always thought .. " ao <xxxx> khrap " would be sufficient.... but possible not so polite..

... but I am most definately not an expert, so I think it is best to wait and see what the people who know what they are talking about, answer ... .

totster

[RamdomChances]

While not an expert i'll give my 2 penneth worth

pom yaak dai XXXXX krap----- I want to have i.e

"pom yakk dai ferrari"----- I want to have a ferrari

Ao xxxx krap---- want ie "ao beer"--- "want beer"

If you want to be polite try

(pom)Kor xxxx noi krap--- can I have xxxx i.e

kor bia song kuad noi krap--- can I have 2 bottles of beer please.

The "noi" (little)just makes it more polite and does'nt directly translate back into english.

[snowleopard]

While not an expert i'll give my 2 penneth worth

pom yaak dai XXXXX krap----- I want to have i.e

"pom yakk dai ferrari"----- I want to have a ferrari

Ao xxxx krap---- want ie "ao beer"--- "want beer"

If you want to be polite try

(pom)Kor xxxx noi krap--- can I have xxxx i.e

kor bia song kuad noi krap--- can I have 2 bottles of beer please.

The "noi" (little)just makes it more polite and does'nt directly translate back into english.

"pom yakk dai ferrari"----- I want to have a ferrari

"pom yaak dai ferrari sorng kun"!

Cheers.

Snowleopard.

[gburns57au]

Phom Yaak Aow ###### Dai mai

[RamdomChances]

Phom Yaak Aow ###### Dai mai

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'd just be carful using Yak and Aow in the same sentance, if you get it wrong there is a lot of room for..hmm.. confusion

[Ajarn]

And the polite form, "Phom Khau.....noi, krap" ... ?

(with 'noi' making the request extra polite... just a little= please)

[RamdomChances]

And the polite form, "Phom Khau.....noi, krap" ... ?

(with 'noi' making the request extra polite... just a little= please)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You mean like this

If you want to be polite try

(pom)Kor xxxx noi krap--- can I have xxxx i.e

kor bia song kuad noi krap--- can I have 2 bottles of beer please.

The "noi" (little)just makes it more polite and does'nt directly translate back into english.

You should really read these threads from the begining

[gburns57au]

Phom Yaak Sue Ahn Ni if you want to buy something....

the combinations are endless and all are quite correct especially if mixed with gestures and body language......

I wouldnt use khaw/khau.....this means to beg more than want

as in ...Khon Khaw Tahn.....the term for a beggar

[Ajarn]

Phom Yaak Sue Ahn Ni  if you want to buy something....

the combinations are endless and all are quite correct especially if mixed with gestures and body language......

I wouldnt use khaw/khau.....this means to beg more than want

as in ...Khon Khaw Tahn.....the term for a beggar

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldnt use khaw/khau.....this means to beg more than want

I disagree completely. It is the main polite form of request.

Phom khau duu noi...

May I look at it please?

Khau naam plaaw nung kuat

I'd like a bottle of water

It's not begging at all...

[RamdomChances]

I agree with ajarn , I just spell it "kor" though

[Totster]

Phom Yaak Sue Ahn Ni  if you want to buy something....

the combinations are endless and all are quite correct especially if mixed with gestures and body language......

I wouldnt use khaw/khau.....this means to beg more than want

as in ...Khon Khaw Tahn.....the term for a beggar

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I wouldnt use khaw/khau.....this means to beg more than want

I disagree completely. It is the main polite form of request.

Phom khau duu noi...

May I look at it please?

Khau naam plaaw nung kuat

I'd like a bottle of water

It's not begging at all...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Kor doo menu noi khrap ...

totster

[Ajarn]

Thanks, totser for 'kor'...I was struggling with the spelling a bit, and your form is clearer and more commonly used in the media, I think.

And RamdomChances, too, I just noticed your earlier response. Cheers

Edited October 28, 2004 by Ajarn

[gburns57au]

Khaw Tarn....to beg....

literal translation....ask alms...

to ask a question.....Tahm

to want....yaak....or desire...Dtawng garn

[Ajarn]

Khaw Tarn....to beg....

literal translation....ask alms...

Kor Tang (satang)...Literally, 'request money'

It doesn't always work to translate one word from a phrase and assume the same meaning when used in other phrases...

[gburns57au]

Khaw Tarn....to beg....

literal translation....ask alms...

Kor Tang (satang)...Literally, 'request money'

Still begging.....LOL

[Ajarn]

Hua Keng, na'!

[gburns57au]

Khaw Tarn....to beg....

literal translation....ask alms...

Kor Tang (satang)...Literally, 'request money'

It doesn't always work to translate one word from a phrase and assume the same meaning when used in other phrases...

I was actually reading it from the dictionary definition ......to beg,to beseech, to entreat, implore, pray....used in instances where the word beg could be used but not just in the money begging sense, that was just the example I used. Using Khaw intensifies the emotion of the request.

Other examples would be

to beg forgiveness

To beg to be excused

I beg to submit

to beg for a womens hand

I beg you will have good health.

However when I say to a girl "Mai Tahm.....Mai bawk" I am saying "Not ask ....not tell."

[Ajarn]

I wouldnt use khaw/khau.....this means to beg more than want

as in ...Khon Khaw Tahn.....the term for a beggar

Still, a basic and common polite request form, and you are NOT begging in the sense that you are a beggar begging for money if , for example, you say, "Kor duu menu noi, khrap" You are simply being polite. Try it sometime. I promise no Thai will think you're kissing ass because you are requesting a menu...

ขอ [V] ; ask for; beg for; request for; ask; beseech; implore; plead

Syn. ขอร้อง, วอน , อ้อนวอน , วิงวอน

Def. พูดให้เขาให้สิ่งที่ต้องการ

Sample: เด็กที่น่าสงสารมาขอเงินไปซื้อยาให้แม่