Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

'Huh?'

Featured Replies

I am asked this numerous times on a day to day basis mostly from thais.
Often times before i can even finish what it is i am saying.
Sometimes i don't answer and just wait only to find out yes they did hear me loud and clear after all.

But they still insist on asking; huh?
Cultural thing no doubt.
Any insights.?
If anything, Thais are curious and noisy but this one is beyond any logic or reason and more than annoying in my lesser moments and moods.

You can blame me but i speak much clearer than most and have been told so.

I have been told once they ask huh? so they can be sure what you are saying.

I think it might have to do with the 'lazy' and 'question' culture but that does not sound so nice. (sorry)
Maybe more on that last statement later.




  • Replies 30
  • Views 2.2k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Huh ?, say again.....facepalm.gif

Too much American TV

Your saying they reply 'huh'? to make you repeat yourself, but they already understood the first time. Right?

chang_zpse0bfad37.jpg

cheesy.gif

can anyone decipher this post?

Yes, I can.

chang_zpse0bfad37.jpg

cheesy.gif

can anyone decipher this post?

Yes, I can.

And if I would ask "Can anyone explain the connection between your post and the OP", your answer would be.... let me guess... eeuuhhh....

Some people have original ideas, others just imitate.

chang_zpse0bfad37.jpg

cheesy.gif

can anyone decipher this post?

Yes, I can.

And if I would ask "Can anyone explain the connection between your post and the OP", your answer would be.... let me guess... eeuuhhh....

Some people have original ideas, others just imitate.

You're making as much sense as the OP...

a rai wa!

  • Popular Post

As another poster commented, are you sure they are not saying 'ugh' or 'er' ? That is Issan for 'yes' or 'go on'. So it means the listener is agreeing with you...

Hard to mistake "eur" for huh?,,,, I have noticed this also, my take is that due to the nature of Thai language,(tonal and descriptive) misunderstandings are common, that is why people often repeat back to you what they understood you to say, just to make certain. I noticed when listening to locals converse, not uncommon to hear "huh?" then a repeated phrase.

  • Popular Post

I think the Op has a point. Many Thais do not fully understand a Falang speaking Thai the first time around. I think it's a combination of the fact that despite the fact we think our Thai is fluent, it actually isn't, plus they are not used to hearing foreign accented Thai.

This may be compounded in two ways; if in a tourist area where the Thai knows some English, they are expecting to hear English and are tuned to it - when we speak Thai they are caught napping and frequently require a repeat. (I suffer the same in reverse - when a Thai speaks Thai to me and I'm not "in the zone", I have to ask for a repeat. Almost invariably I knew what they said but just wasn't prepared for it.)

Secondly, If in a non tourist area they may have never heard a Falang speak Thai so our accent/lack of fluency totally throws them. Thais are just not used to hearing non-Thai speak their language. Unlike we Europeans who hear accents as varied as broad Glaswegian to sing-song Swedes speaking English and we can understand it.

I try to get them tuned in by doing the usual hello, how are you, it's warm/cold today in Thai, and then pre-cede any further conversation by addressing them as Pee/nong/loong etc. This usually gets them in the "expecting non-fluent Thai" zone as opposed to "oh bugger, I hope he uses English words I understand" zone. smile.png

chang_zpse0bfad37.jpg

cheesy.gif

can anyone decipher this post?

Yes, I can.

And if I would ask "Can anyone explain the connection between your post and the OP", your answer would be.... let me guess... eeuuhhh....

Some people have original ideas, others just imitate.

You're a barrel of laughs, eh... I bet your wife is stoked. whistling.gif

I think you mean the "Urgh" sound that Thais make and it signals an agreement,obviously to the speaker,you hear it all the time.

I have often wondered how to spell that one in English...your's is as good as any I have thought of. Thanks...I guess! lol

As another poster commented, are you sure they are not saying 'ugh' or 'er' ? That is Issan for 'yes' or 'go on'. So it means the listener is agreeing with you...

Yes that is what i was thinking about too, as far as i know its not real polite but among friends normal.

 

chang_zpse0bfad37.jpg

cheesy.gif

can anyone decipher this post?

Yes, I can.
 

Can cannot. Bottle can.

 

chang_zpse0bfad37.jpg

cheesy.gif

can anyone decipher this post?

Yes, I can.
 

Can cannot. Bottle can.

Can can. Bottle cannot. No can open.

Secondly, If in a non tourist area they may have never heard a Falang speak Thai so our accent/lack of fluency totally throws them. Thais are just not used to hearing non-Thai speak their language. Unlike we Europeans who hear accents as varied as broad Glaswegian to sing-song Swedes speaking English and we can understand it.

Wow, you can understand Glaswegian? Impressive!

May I try ? You see my grandma had a short leg and then when the fire broke out she ran she ran. Well that only made the glass eye fall out. So she ran in circles because that is what you do with a short leg. I hope that helps you doo doo heads..

May I try ? You see my grandma had a short leg and then when the fire broke out she ran she ran. Well that only made the glass eye fall out. So she ran in circles because that is what you do with a short leg. I hope that helps you doo doo heads..

Hope it's not hereditary !

May I try ? You see my grandma had a short leg and then when the fire broke out she ran she ran. Well that only made the glass eye fall out. So she ran in circles because that is what you do with a short leg. I hope that helps you doo doo heads..

Hope it's not hereditary !

Or contagious .....cheesy.gif

Create an account or sign in to comment

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.