I'm learning some basic thai words and phrases for a trip next month, and there is one word I really would like to know how to pronounce but have been unable to get and good information about, "or", as in and/or. My thai/english dictionaries suggest rŭeh, lŏeh, or reuu, all of which I haven't the slightest idea how to pronounce properly. Could someone please help, perhaps by suggesting an english word that makes an equivalent sound here.

Thanks

Edited September 19, 201114 yr by SnugglePuma

This site has a dictionary with audio files http://www.thai-language.com/dict

If I get zero downloads, not only does it mean no one is interested, but it also means

I am a respected member of the Forum. Because the mod squad did not check it

either to see if I tried to slip in something raunchy and offensive.

Sound file for reuu below:

reuu.mp3

If you know how the german u with two dots above sound, then you got ru:

but it is often followed up with ru: plao (or not)

If you know how the german u with two dots above sound, then you got ru:

but it is often followed up with ru: plao (or not)

It is followed by plao when asking a question, but many times is not followed by plao, depends on context.

For the OP, use the word jew, but replace the j with an r.

If you know how the german u with two dots above sound, then you got ru:

but it is often followed up with ru: plao (or not)

It is followed by plao when asking a question, but many times is not followed by plao, depends on context.

For the OP, use the word jew, but replace the j with an r.

Using the word 'jew' or any other English word, would depend on the speaker's original accent for accuracy.

Personally I don't think there's an English word that sounds anything like หรือ.

Check this out for a shorter version, there's audio files as well to hear native speakers version of the words

If you know how the german u with two dots above sound, then you got ru:

but it is often followed up with ru: plao (or not)

It is followed by plao when asking a question, but many times is not followed by plao, depends on context.

For the OP, use the word jew, but replace the j with an r.

Using the word 'jew' or any other English word, would depend on the speaker's original accent for accuracy.

Personally I don't think there's an English word that sounds anything like หรือ.

Check this out for a shorter version, there's audio files as well to hear native speakers version of the words

You are correct, I didnt want to muddy the waters by bringing up such topics as vowel length and tone.

The sooner any student of the language can master how to read it, the quicker and easier self study will be.

If you know how the german u with two dots above sound, then you got ru:

but it is often followed up with ru: plao (or not)

It is followed by plao when asking a question, but many times is not followed by plao, depends on context.

For the OP, use the word jew, but replace the j with an r.

Using the word 'jew' or any other English word, would depend on the speaker's original accent for accuracy.

Personally I don't think there's an English word that sounds anything like หรือ.

Check this out for a shorter version, there's audio files as well to hear native speakers version of the words

You are correct, I didnt want to muddy the waters by bringing up such topics as vowel length and tone.

The sooner any student of the language can master how to read it, the quicker and easier self study will be.

หรือ is a difficult word to get your tongue around at first I think. But once you hear it from a native tongue I think it can fall into place, it's got all the things we can often find hard to pronounce, the rolled ร coupled with the short, cut off vowel. Worth it in the end though

I hope I haven't made it harder for the OP

Thanks for the help. That thai-language site is a great resource that I have consulted before, the only problem is that I use linux and there doesn't seem to be a plugin for playing those audio pronunciations However, I borrowed a windows computer and managed to hear it.

So would the following context make an acceptable statement for ordering food?

Gài reuu plaa

Chicken or fish

hmmm it's a bit ....blunt?

The word 'kor' ขอ is useful it means 'I would like...' or 'can I have...' http://thai-language.com/id/131310

If you wanted to say ' I'd like chicken or fish, either is ok'

you could say ' kor gai reuu blaa, arai gor dai khap/ka' You might end up with both though

I'm probably getting out of hand with the questions, but how about:

phŏm khăw gài reuu plaa

Would that mean to say I want chicken or fish? Still too blunt?

without the 'khap' or even a 'na' on the end, it will seem a little blunt yes.

However, you can be blunt when talking to waiters if you like

You don't need the 'phom'

so you could say 'kor gai reuu blaa khap'

Then they'll get confused and ask the nearest Thai person what you want!

If you were saying that to a Thai friend, you might not use 'khap' but you should really get into the habit of using the particles at the end of sentences. 'na' naa' 'na ja' etc. It's a very difficult thing to get your head around at first, as they don't really have a meaning that can easily be translated, but your speech will sound very blunt, even rude, without them.

I usually stick with 'khap' as it's one of the most polite ones. Or the various forms of 'ja' jaa' with my family.

Could someone please help, perhaps by suggesting an english word that makes an equivalent sound here.

Start by saying the word 'roo' as in 'kangaroo'.

Note that your lips are rounded as you make this sound.

Now, keep saying the word, but begin to stretch your mouth out wider and wider. By the time you have got about 3/4 of the way to full width, you will be making the right sound that you have heard in the audio downloads.

All Thai people pronounce it differently! Some pronounce it the same as "Ruhr" as in the Ruhr Valley, while others pronounce it the same as lure.

I am just figuring out that khaw and kor are probably intended to be the same word

another reason to learn Thai script asap

Personally I would change the order to (blaa roo gai) so it doesn't sound like pohm ka gai roo plau, which makes it sound like you are asking yourself if you want chicken.

It sound a bit strange if you say it, like if you are confused

but anyways

kah gai ru: mai kah pla

if you are not using rising tone oh kah, it can be interpreted as the neck of chicken, so perhaps replace kah with aow

perhaps what you leally mean is gai ru: pla gai dai

(either chicken or fish is OK)

Edited September 21, 201114 yr by poanoi

I know transliterations are inaccurate, but 'gai dai' doesn't show any difference from 'gai' as in chicken!

I assume you meant ก็ได้ ? Which would, usually, be transliterated as 'gor dai'

And 'kha' looks more like ค่ะ (ka) rather than ขอ (kor) I agree the tone is important with that one

Yes, karaoke thai does not really suffice, but unfortunately thai konsonants is a pain in the arse too.

I wish they could modernize the whole written language