Speaking polite Thai

[BruceSmith]

I have the impression that:

«Arai na» is the preferred term as opposed to "arai wa” (unless you’re with friends and relatives).

Next time I’m in BKK, should I tell the Taxi to take me to “Bang Na”, even though I want to go to “Bang Wa”?

BS

[Dag Ekeberg]

What a fitting name, BS. Just kidding. You’re right! Arai Wa is slang, means “Really?” I hope you don’t think the Na in Bang Na is the same word though…

[Lara Alex]

lol actually, Arai wa means like 'what the <deleted> is that?'. i usually say 'Arai na ka?' which means 'What is it again,please?'. i'm a polite person, can't help! haha

[RickBradford]

บางนา = Bang Na

อะไรนะ = Sorry? What did you say?

Not the same word at all.

[SlyAnimal]

lol actually, Arai wa means like 'what the fuc_k is that?'. i usually say 'Arai na ka?' which means 'What is it again,please?'. i'm a polite person, can't help! haha

"E Ang Wah" also means the same (as the impolite version) I think. I'm not sure on the Thai spelling of it though, as I can't find it in my dictionary. It might just be an Isaan style of the Thai saying though, as my students say it all the time, just to themselves, when I give them English speaking tests but they don't know the answer lol.

[BruceSmith]

Does humor belong in the ThaiVisa language forum?!

The jury is still out…

[weary]

Your attempt at humour was very wheaty.

[eric67]

"E Ang Wah" also means the same (as the impolite version) I think. I'm not sure on the Thai spelling of it though, as I can't find it in my dictionary. It might just be an Isaan style of the Thai saying though, as my students say it all the time, just to themselves, when I give them English speaking tests but they don't know the answer lol.

Yes, Ee-yang is Isaan for arai.

It's written อีหยัง or อิหยัง

[BruceSmith]

Wheaty? Ee-yang wah! / arai wah!

At least now I have learned to be impolite with a choice of two different expressions :-)

BS

[Lara Alex]

E-yang-wa, 'what the <removed>,' impolite, is surely from Isaan.

E-yang-ni, 'what is this?,' not rude, is also from Isaan.