At the CM gate market this morning, the ladies all seemed to say 'gow' or 'cow' instead of ka (apart from chicken lady who tries to get the price right in English and is very funny).

Local dialect? Many of them have always used 'sow' instead of 'ye cip', others seem surprised that if they say ye cip I say sow baht as I hand the money over then use sow with me all the time afterwards.

​Perhaps now they are so used to me they are reverting to the local dialect, but for 3 to do it this morning it seemed odd to me.

Northern dialect.

Sawadi jow

What they're saying is "jao." Here in the north this is often said instead of "ka," and said only by women.

Chiang Mai women say "jow" instead of "ka" to be polite.

How long've you been in CM, bro?

How long've you been in CM, bro?

sis?

Thank you for the replies. I am woman hear me roar. Listened to that yesterday for the first time in at least 15 years. She really did have a good voice and a strong message in the song.

The market ladies always tell me how to say something if I point for long enough and repeatedly tell them the english word for it. Often having a good belly laugh with their friends whilst I very slowly recite it back until I get the pronunciation right. Of course, I've usually forgot it by the next day. I know I should learn the Thai for how do I say this but every time I do it goes into some deep dark corner of my mind and won't come out when I want it to. They really like it when I say Na Ka when saying thank you; they often shout and tell all of their friends who have a good laugh and are all say Na Ka to me as I walk through. I don't mind being the token farang and the source of their derision and merriment - it's all in good fun and they really help me. Without them, I'd be restricted to the supermarkets which sell fruit, veggies and meat at 3 times the price.

For Larry, I've been here 9 months of the year for almost 4 years now and I really haven't heard it before (or perhaps I have and not noticed it). I was really glad once I learned the words for chicken thigh (guy sa poe, rhymes with low), because chicken breast don't make good curry. I got that one by slapping my backside and hip in a very exaggerated cartoon-like way and had the whole meat market in uproar that morning until someone finally figured out what I meant. They all think that I'm a bit loonie-tunes anyway.

I suppose it really would have been a sight worth seeing.

Edited January 15, 201313 yr by Konini

Sorry, for addressing you as bro...

Getting to know a little northern Thai always pleases the locals.. ba-ka-nut for pineapple always pleases them... bp-dtao for watermelon are a couple off the top of my head... or, where they have an r, substitute an h... 'hawn' instead of 'rawn' for hot.. or jiang-hai for chiang rai is a good one also.. naa-hak instead of naa rak for cute..

Is it for definite that only women use 'Jaow'? I seem to remember it being used by some men, albeit much less frequently.

Is it for definite that only women use 'Jaow'? I seem to remember it being used by some men, albeit much less frequently.

As a man you could use it when speaking to a young girl (same as 'kha'), or when you're as gay as a tree full of kittens.

Edited January 15, 201313 yr by WinnieTheKhwai

Sorry, for addressing you as bro...

Getting to know a little northern Thai always pleases the locals.. ba-ka-nut for pineapple always pleases them... bp-dtao for watermelon are a couple off the top of my head... or, where they have an r, substitute an h... 'hawn' instead of 'rawn' for hot.. or jiang-hai for chiang rai is a good one also.. naa-hak instead of naa rak for cute..

I may have been the original grumpy old woman (since I was 17 and still going) but I never take offence. I have to comment that it's rather strange seeing an apology on TV, although I do know the CM section is filled with people a lot nicer than other community forums or the general forum.

Thank you for the advice - the ladies always tell me the 'official' name for things, so it'll be nice to use some of the words you have given me.

Is it for definite that only women use 'Jaow'? I seem to remember it being used by some men, albeit much less frequently.

As a man you could use it when speaking to a young girl (same as 'kha'), or when you're as gay as a tree full of kittens.

Lot's of my male Thai friends say Jaow - - not sure they'd appreciate being likened to a tree full of kittens though, where did that one come from?

The only straight Thai men I've ever heard use "jao" are Bangkok hi-so trying to act like they're "in the know" about Chiang Mai.

Is it for definite that only women use 'Jaow'? I seem to remember it being used by some men, albeit much less frequently.

As a man you could use it when speaking to a young girl (same as 'kha'), or when you're as gay as a tree full of kittens.

I've sought some further info on this from the wife and it seems men can say 'Jaow' to be polite when talking to a female. Can also be used - like you suggest - if they're trying to be ladylike (eg katoey or otherwise effeminate). So it seems we won't find it used between two 'butch/straight' guys.

Conversely, my wife will sometimes say 'krap' to my daughter's boyfriend, again to be polite.

Edited January 15, 201313 yr by 15Peter20