Thai Sayings and Phrases Wanted

[RDN]

RDN,

It's Benjawan not Benjamin, and she's a woman.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks Lambastard! The daft thing is, I know it's Banjawan, but sometimes my brain gets disconnected from my fingers when I type... . Didn't know it was a woman, though. I've updated my original post to reflect this.

That said, her series Thai for Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced etc. is probably the best available on the shelves these days. 

She stresses Thai students to break the reliance on transliteration, which is key to understanding correct pronunciation.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Totally agree and would encourage all students to learn the alphabet, learn the sounds, learn how to read Thai. The sooner you get off transliteration, the better.

Her pocket dictionary is also excellent as it allows lookup in three ways:  English, transliterated Thai, and Thai.  It's a good tool to help wean one's self off transliteration w/o jumping in head first.

Regards...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Couldn't have put it better

[toastwars]

Can't remember the Thai translation but this one makes me sick

The one about having a daughter is like having a toilet in your front yard.

nice not.

Thai men should realise that it is the women who keep this country running, I am sure that if it were not for the women there would be no culture here at all.

an ispired act of Budda should happen and elect a woman into toxins seat

[Totster]

My favourite at the moment

'Prajamduan maa mai pokadit' - Translate as 'Wrong time of the month love?'

...A good way of irritating a Thai chick. When she stucks sulking ask her if she is on her period. Doesnt improve her mood but makes you feel better.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry for being the nitpicker, but your example is not phrased as a question, it is a statement - and the meaning is "(Your) period is irregular".

You need a "ler"/"reu" (really, or) at the end of the statement to make it a question. If you want to add the "love" part as well, you could add "thii rak" either at the beginning or the end.

Most Thais I know use the word "men" (short syll. high tone) when they speak of their menstruation in non-formal contexts.

This is a more faithful translation of your English sentence:

ประจำเดืยนมาเร็วผิดปกติหรือครับที่รัก

pra-jam deuan maa rew phid pokati ler khrap, thii rak

"Did your period come unusually early this month, love?"

low short, mid short, mid long, mid long, mid short, mid low, low-short, low-short, low short, rising long, high short, falling long, high short.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Many thanks for that phrase... I'm sure it will come in useful...

Oh.. and my GF refers to "it" as "men" ...!

totster

[Lambastard]

Dear Big,

First off, you look just like Jade Hsu, porno star from California. Goo on ya!

Second,

FLASH CARDS, my man. When the kids learn Thai, the first thing they learn is the name of every letter. Each character is associated with a thing like "Ga Gai," "Sa Salah," and "Wa Wen" for example.

I never did this, but I know the pronounciation of each character. The difficulty arises when someone asks you to spell something or visa versa. The will spell it out for you: Ka Kwai... Salah EE... Na Noo... etc...

Use flash cards, just like back in 4th grade math class. It's the best way to memorize the characters. Then move to words and use them both ways, english to Thai and Thai to English.

To me that's the most effective way. Once you're there, move on to the books by Benjawan Poomsan Becker w/ tape or CD.

Third, get yellow sticky post-it notes and paste them all over your girlfriend. Best way to learn body parts.

Bye for now...

I am learning how to speak thai (slowly)

But have headr so many times that it is easier after you learn the script. Can any one advise my of how to learn it. I have seen web sites and have books but what were your techniques how did you learn what did you do first,

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[RDN]

FLASH CARDS..... yellow sticky post-it notes and paste them all over your girlfriend.  Best way to learn body parts.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hmmm... I would never have thought of that! I'll get ready with the "Hua nom" stickers the next time she comes out of the shower.

[bannork]

When you mess up on the plastering, painting, DOI; look sheepish at the missus and say, รู้เหมือนเป็ด, ruu meuan bed, 'I know the same as a duck; ie I can't fly too well and I'm not so good at walking either'.

In other words, 'I'm a jack of all trades and a master of none'.

hire the locals.

bannork.

[Neeranam]

I like - "ying soong ying nao"

The higher you are, the colder it is.

[Neeranam]

arai ja gerd go hai mun gerd

whatever is meant to happen, happens

[bannork]

how about adding Thai equivalents to some English expressions involving geometry, for example: a vicious circle, to square up to, to go off on a tangent, to paint yourself into a corner?

here's my contribution รักสามเส้า rak sam sao, a love triangle,

bannork.

[snowleopard]

Neeranam,

You're right, ก็ช่าง means'let it be','so be it ' ,'accordingly'  can have a negative ring in a formal sense,though it's rarely used by native speakers nowadays .

He was lazy, accordinglyhe failed his exams. Here accordingly means 'so' in the sense he deserved it, no need to do anything about it.

Snowleopard is wrong, ก็ช่าง we learn everyday.

Yours,

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

meadish_sweetball@

'Accordingly' is a word you filled in when you made your translation, it is not the actual meaning of ก็ช่าง

But your claim that ก็ช่าง means 'accordingly' is incorrect.

craftwork@

then you are right: ก็ช่าง cannot be used to mean 'accordingly'

I've now found the place where I originally saw that "goh chang"="accordingly"

Click here for some enlightenment folks!

http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/sansarn?query...D2%A7&x=63&y=21

Accordingly="goh chang"ก็ช่าง

ก็ช่าง [ADV] ; accordingly

Sample: ผลการเจรจาในครั้งนี้จะเป็นอย่างไรก็ช่าง เขาไม่สน เพราะไม่ได้มีส่วนได้ส่วนเสียในเรื่องนี้

Bannok and Sweetball,

Now is the optimal time for you blokes to mosey on over to a Thai temple and atone with some good old merit-making!

Guys!...Bring along sassy "Sissy Galore" too,won't you?

Snowleopard is wrong, ก็ช่าง we learn everyday.

Yours,

bannork.

Right...Up Yours bannork

http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/sansarn?query...D2%A7&x=63&y=21

Cheers.

Snowleopard.

[bannork]

Neeranam,

You're right, ก็ช่าง means'let it be','so be it ' ,'accordingly'  can have a negative ring in a formal sense,though it's rarely used by native speakers nowadays .

He was lazy, accordinglyhe failed his exams. Here accordingly means 'so' in the sense he deserved it, no need to do anything about it.

Snowleopard is wrong, ก็ช่าง we learn everyday.

Yours,

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

meadish_sweetball@

'Accordingly' is a word you filled in when you made your translation, it is not the actual meaning of ก็ช่าง

But your claim that ก็ช่าง means 'accordingly' is incorrect.

craftwork@

then you are right: ก็ช่าง cannot be used to mean 'accordingly'

I've now found the place where I originally saw that "goh chang"="accordingly"

Click here for some enlightenment folks!

http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/sansarn?query...D2%A7&x=63&y=21

Accordingly="goh chang"ก็ช่าง

ก็ช่าง [ADV] ; accordingly

Sample: ผลการเจรจาในครั้งนี้จะเป็นอย่างไรก็ช่าง เขาไม่สน เพราะไม่ได้มีส่วนได้ส่วนเสียในเรื่องนี้

Bannok and Sweetball,

Now is the optimal time for you blokes to moosey on over to a Thai temple and atone with some good old merit-making!

Guys!...Bring along sassy "Sissy Galore" too,won't you?

Snowleopard is wrong, ก็ช่าง we learn everyday.

Yours,

bannork.

Right...Up Yours bannork

http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/sansarn?query...D2%A7&x=63&y=21

Cheers.

Snowleopard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Stop believing every word in print, many are plain wrong, bad translations, such as this example you lifted.

Snowleopard,เชื่อง่าย cheua ngai, gullible.

bannork.

[RDN]

Right...Up Yours bannork

http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/sansarn?query...D2%A7&x=63&y=21

Cheers.

Snowleopard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Stop believing every word in print, many are plain wrong, bad translations, such as this example you lifted.

Snowleopard,เชื่อง่าย cheua ngai, gullible.

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Any chance of you two kissing and making up?

[snowleopard]

Neeranam,

You're right, ก็ช่าง means'let it be','so be it ' ,'accordingly'  can have a negative ring in a formal sense,though it's rarely used by native speakers nowadays .

He was lazy, accordinglyhe failed his exams. Here accordingly means 'so' in the sense he deserved it, no need to do anything about it.

Snowleopard is wrong, ก็ช่าง we learn everyday.

Yours,

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

meadish_sweetball@

'Accordingly' is a word you filled in when you made your translation, it is not the actual meaning of ก็ช่าง

But your claim that ก็ช่าง means 'accordingly' is incorrect.

craftwork@

then you are right: ก็ช่าง cannot be used to mean 'accordingly'

I've now found the place where I originally saw that "goh chang"="accordingly"

Click here for some enlightenment folks!

http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/sansarn?query...D2%A7&x=63&y=21

Accordingly="goh chang"ก็ช่าง

ก็ช่าง [ADV] ; accordingly

Sample: ผลการเจรจาในครั้งนี้จะเป็นอย่างไรก็ช่าง เขาไม่สน เพราะไม่ได้มีส่วนได้ส่วนเสียในเรื่องนี้

Bannok and Sweetball,

Now is the optimal time for you blokes to mosey on over to a Thai temple and atone with some good old merit-making!

Guys!...Bring along sassy "Sissy Galore" too,won't you?

Snowleopard is wrong, ก็ช่าง we learn everyday.

Yours,

bannork.

Right...Up Yours bannork

http://lexitron.nectec.or.th/sansarn?query...D2%A7&x=63&y=21

Cheers.

Snowleopard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Stop believing every word in print, many are plain wrong, bad translations, such as this example you lifted.

Snowleopard,เชื่อง่าย cheua ngai, gullible.

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bannork_การขอโทษแบบไม่เต็มใจ ยังดีกว่าการไม่ขอโทษเลย "gaan koo-tood baep mai dtem-jai,yang dee kwaa gaan mai koo-tood leuy"

๑..คนฉลาดย่อมรู้ความโง่ของตน แต่คนโง่คิดว่าตนรู้ทุกสิ่งทุกอย่าง

๒.คนฉลาดจะสร้างโอกาสขึ้นมาได้มากกว่าที่เขาจะพบได้

๓.การกระทำย่อมดีกว่าคำพูด

๔.การแก้ไขข้อบกพร่องเป็นเครื่องพิสุจน์ความรู้สึกสำนึกตัวได้ดีที่สุด

Snowleopard.

[bannork]

Bannork_การขอโทษแบบไม่เต็มใจ ยังดีกว่าการไม่ขอโทษเลย "gaan koo-tood baep mai dtem-jai,yang dee kwaa gaan mai koo-tood leuy"

๑..คนฉลาดย่อมรู้ความโง่ของตน แต่คนโง่คิดว่าตนรู้ทุกสิ่งทุกอย่าง

๒.คนฉลาดจะสร้างโอกาสขึ้นมาได้มากกว่าที่เขาจะพบได้

๓.การกระทำย่อมดีกว่าคำพูด

๔.การแก้ไขข้อบกพร่องเป็นเครื่องพิสุจน์ความรู้สึกสำนึกตัวได้ดีที่สุด

Snowleopard,

rough translations: a half-hearted apology is still better than none at all.

๑ A wise person knows his\her own ignorance\limits\foolishness whilst a fool thinks he knows it all.

๒ A clever person will create more opportunities than he will find.

๓ Action speaks louder than words

๔ Correction of [one's] faults is the best evidence of a conscience.

Any chance of you contributing Thai expressions to any of the geometric expressions I mentioned earlier, for example,'going off on a tangent?'

bannork.

[bannork]

[๔.การแก้ไขข้อบกพร่องเป็นเครื่องพิสุจน์ความรู้สึกสำนึกตัวได้ดีที่สุด

perhaps a better translation would be:

'rectifying one's weaknesses is the surest sign of awareness'

(but it still looks a bit iffy)

bannork.

[snowleopard]

Bannork_การขอโทษแบบไม่เต็มใจ ยังดีกว่าการไม่ขอโทษเลย "gaan koo-tood baep mai dtem-jai,yang dee kwaa gaan mai koo-tood leuy"

๑..คนฉลาดย่อมรู้ความโง่ของตน แต่คนโง่คิดว่าตนรู้ทุกสิ่งทุกอย่าง 

๒.คนฉลาดจะสร้างโอกาสขึ้นมาได้มากกว่าที่เขาจะพบได้

๓.การกระทำย่อมดีกว่าคำพูด

๔.การแก้ไขข้อบกพร่องเป็นเครื่องพิสุจน์ความรู้สึกสำนึกตัวได้ดีที่สุด

Snowleopard,

rough translations: a half-hearted apology is still better than none at all.

๑ A wise person knows his\her own ignorance\limits\foolishness whilst a fool thinks he knows it all.

๒ A clever person will create more opportunities than he will find.

๓ Action speaks louder than words

๔ Correction of [one's] faults is the best evidence of a conscience.

Any chance of you contributing Thai expressions to any of the geometric expressions I mentioned earlier, for example,'going off on a tangent?'

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Bannork,

I think your translations are quite good.

การขอโทษแบบไม่เต็มใจ ยังดีกว่าการไม่ขอโทษเลย "gaan koo-tood baep mai dtem-jai,yang dee kwaa gaan mai koo-tood leuy"

Snowleopard,

rough translations: a half-hearted apology is still better than none at all.

"A bad excuse is better than none."

การขอโทษแบบไม่เต็มใจ ยังดีกว่าการไม่ขอโทษเลย "gaan koo-tood baep mai dtem-jai,yang dee kwaa gaan mai koo-tood leuy

Cheers.

Snowleopard.

[snowleopard]

[๔.การแก้ไขข้อบกพร่องเป็นเครื่องพิสุจน์ความรู้สึกสำนึกตัวได้ดีที่สุด

perhaps a better translation would be:

'rectifying one's weaknesses is the surest sign of awareness'

(but it still looks a bit iffy)

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How about ...๔.การแก้ไขข้อบกพร่องเป็นเครื่องพิสุจน์ความรู้สึกสำนึกตัวได้ดีที่สุด=Amendment is the best proof of repentance.

Cheers,

Snowleopard

[snowleopard]

how about adding Thai equivalents to some English expressions involving geometry, for example: a vicious circle, to square up to, to go off on a tangent, to paint yourself into a corner?

here's my contribution รักสามเส้า rak sam sao, a love triangle,

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Any chance of you contributing Thai expressions to any of the geometric expressions I mentioned earlier, for example,'going off on a tangent?'

bannork.

Okay Bannork.

Here are my suggestions in Thai to those English expressions...

1.a vicious circle=วัฏจักรแห่งความชั่วร้าย "wata-jak haeng kwaam cho-a raai"

2.to square up to(fight)=ตั้งท่าเตรียมชก "dtang taa dree-am chok"/ ชูกำปั้นใส่หน้ากัน "choo gumpan sai naa gun"

3.to go off on a tangent=ออกนอกประเด็น "ook nok pra-den"

4.to paint yourself into a corner=ทำให้ตัวเองจนตรอก "tum hai dto-a eyng jon dtrok"

Cheers.

Snowleopard.

[bannork]

1.a vicious circle=วัฏจักรแห่งความชั่วร้าย "wata-jak haeng kwaam cho-a raai"

2.to square up to(fight)=ตั้งท่าเตรียมชก "dtang taa dree-am chok"/ ชูกำปั้นใส่หน้ากัน "choo gumpan sai naa gun"

3.to go off on a tangent=ออกนอกประเด็น "ook nok pra-den"

4.to paint yourself into a corner=ทำให้ตัวเองจนตรอก "tum hai dto-a eyng jon dtrok"

Cheers.

Snowleopard.

Thank you Snowleopard for those excellent translations, I'm harbouring doubts about การขอโทษเเบบไม่เต็มใจยังดีกว่าการไม่ขอโทษเลย though, for surely' excuse' would better translate as ข้ออ้าง or การเเก้ตัว?

"A bad excuse is better than none."

การขอโทษแบบไม่เต็มใจ ยังดีกว่าการไม่ขอโทษเลย "gaan koo-tood baep mai dtem-jai,yang dee kwaa gaan mai koo-tood leuy

I think 'a half-hearted apology is still better than none' would be more accurate, but I stand to be corrected.

bannork.

[bannork]

a couple of queries inspired by visits to friends in Bangkok: can any of the bright sparks provide a Thai idiom equivalent to, 'burning the candle at both ends'? and secondly,'they've moved the goalposts!', (ie the criteria or standards have changed)

yours,

bannork.

[snowleopard]

a couple of queries inspired by visits to friends in Bangkok: can any of the bright sparks provide a Thai idiom equivalent to, 'burning the candle at both ends'? and secondly,'they've moved the goalposts!', (ie the criteria or standards have changed)

yours,

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Bannork,

Thai expressions with similar meanings to those English idioms...

'burning the candle at both ends'

1.'burning the candle at both ends'= ทำงานหนักหามรุ่งหามค่ำ "tum ngaan nuk haam ruhng haam kum"

'they've moved the goalposts!', (ie the criteria or standards have changed)

2.'they've moved the goalposts=เขาได้เปลียนข้อตกลงแล้ว "kaow dai plee-ang ko dtok-long laeow".

Cheers,

Snowleopard.

[bannork]

thanks Snowleopard for your help,

another Thai idiom that I think maybe similar to'paint yourself into a corner' is ปลาหมอตายเพราะปาก, though this suggests one has damaged oneself by one's own actions, or mouth, whilst the painting idiom more suggests one has limited one's options by one's own words or actions.

I read a useful idiom today ลูบหน้าปะจมูก don't do anything or take the right course of action for fear of upsetting someone,(higher up).

The Thai language forum has gone a bit quiet lately, no major skirmishes between the regulars.

bannork.

[RDN]

...The Thai language forum has gone a bit quiet lately, no major skirmishes between the regulars.

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good! - hope we can start talking about the language again

[snowleopard]

...The Thai language forum has gone a bit quiet lately, no major skirmishes between the regulars.

bannork.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good! - hope we can start talking about the language again

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

RDN,

พูดเลยดีกว่า ไม่ต้องพูดเกี่ยวกับมัน

Here are some proverbs for you to ponder.

I'm sure Bannork will take a decent shot at them and post their English counterparts here soon.

๑.การแลกเปลี่ยนที่ยุติธรรมไม่ใช่เป็นการโจรกรรม

๒.ศัตรูที่กล้าหาญดีกว่าเพื่อนที่ขี้ขลาด

๓.ความกลัวของคนขี้ขลาดทำให้คนกล้ากล้ายิ่งขึ้น

Snowleopard

[RDN]

RDN,

พูดเลยดีกว่า ไม่ต้องพูดเกี่ยวกับมัน 

Here are some proverbs for you to ponder.

I'm sure Bannork will take a decent shot at them and post their English counterparts here soon.

๑.การแลกเปลี่ยนที่ยุติธรรมไม่ใช่เป็นการโจรกรรม

๒.ศัตรูที่กล้าหาญดีกว่าเพื่อนที่ขี้ขลาด

๓.ความกลัวของคนขี้ขลาดทำให้คนกล้ากล้ายิ่งขึ้น

Snowleopard

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, teach, how did I do? -

1. A fair exchange is no robbery.

2. A brave enemy is better than a timid friend.

3. The fear of a coward makes brave people even more brave.

But I'm stumped on your first line - something like "to speak really better there's no need to talk about it" .

[snowleopard]

RDN,

พูดเลยดีกว่า ไม่ต้องพูดเกี่ยวกับมัน 

Here are some proverbs for you to ponder.

I'm sure Bannork will take a decent shot at them and post their English counterparts here soon.

๑.การแลกเปลี่ยนที่ยุติธรรมไม่ใช่เป็นการโจรกรรม

๒.ศัตรูที่กล้าหาญดีกว่าเพื่อนที่ขี้ขลาด

๓.ความกลัวของคนขี้ขลาดทำให้คนกล้ากล้ายิ่งขึ้น

Snowleopard

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, teach, how did I do? -

1. A fair exchange is no robbery.

2. A brave enemy is better than a timid friend.

3. The fear of a coward makes brave people even more brave.

But I'm stumped on your first line - something like "to speak really better there's no need to talk about it" .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Answers...

๑.การแลกเปลี่ยนที่ยุติธรรมไม่ใช่เป็นการโจรกรรม=A fair exchange is no robbery

๒.ศัตรูที่กล้าหาญดีกว่าเพื่อนที่ขี้ขลาด=A Courageous foe is better than a cowardly friend

๓.ความกลัวของคนขี้ขลาดทำให้คนกล้ากล้ายิ่งขึ้น=A coward's fear makes a brave man braver

But I'm stumped on your first line

RDN Posted Yesterday, 2004-12-10 21:30:13 Good! - hope we can start talking about the language again

about the language

ไม่ต้องพูดเกี่ยวกับมัน พูดเลยดีกว่า เข้าใจหรือยัง

Snowleopard

[RDN]

Answers...

๑.การแลกเปลี่ยนที่ยุติธรรมไม่ใช่เป็นการโจรกรรม=A fair exchange is no robbery

๒.ศัตรูที่กล้าหาญดีกว่าเพื่อนที่ขี้ขลาด=A Courageous foe is better than a cowardly friend

๓.ความกลัวของคนขี้ขลาดทำให้คนกล้ากล้ายิ่งขึ้น=A coward's fear makes a brave man braver

But I'm stumped on your first line

RDN Posted Yesterday, 2004-12-10 21:30:13 Good! - hope we can start talking about the language again

about the language

ไม่ต้องพูดเกี่ยวกับมัน พูดเลยดีกว่า เข้าใจหรือยัง

Snowleopard

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, I'll give it one more go: "No need to talk about it, talking is much better"

เก่ง มั้ย ?

[bannork]

OK, I'll give it one more go: "No need to talk about it, talking is much better"

เก่ง มั้ย ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

RDN, do you mean,' no need to talk about (Thai language), just do it,(ie speak it, or on this forum, write it)'?

From his posts Snowleopard seems to like translations, he gets stuck into it, helping all and sundry, he enjoys the activity of using Thai; like all of us there are hiccups now and again but the point is he's immersed, revelling in the practice of it.

Some members enjoy researching about the historical and linguistical background of the Thai language but I hazard a guess Snowleopard is more a man of action; his own post several weeks ago about his intention to play an active role in his own cremation hints at his sense of enjoying a challenge.The Norman Mailer of the Thai language forum.

bannork.

[bannork]

a saying a day keeps the psychologist away:

อุบไต๋ to have something,(an ace perhaps) up your sleeve

bannork

[Kathe]

Back when the "war on drugs" was going on  we where at the local market and a car pulled up and shot two people allegedly involved in drugs, apparently this was carried out by the police.

Anyway, my friend turns to me and says " shuak gai hi ling do" basicly

"Cut the chickens throat and let the monkeys watch"

ie They were being made an examlpe of.

Anyone esle know any thai sayings and their meanings?

Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually I dont like this old saying...Chuerd Gai hai Ling doo...

It means you need one victim..you hurt or kill that victim just to scared the monkey ( or ppl or students). This old brutal saying should be banned . But I like the one...Tdoom Tor Khaa....but if you use for your GF...becareful too...she might throw her Khaa Moo on your neck....555555