2 Questions

[Jack Jones]

Something I hear in everyday speech a lot is 'taa gert waa'. Does anybody know what this means? Is it similar to 'Kao bok waa' as in he/she said??

Secondly I know how to say you look like you're: tired, happy sad etc (duu muan gap) but is there a way of saying you sound as if your tired etc?

Many thanks

JJ

[bannork]

Something I hear in everyday speech a lot is 'taa gert waa'. Does anybody know what this means? Is it similar to 'Kao bok waa' as in he/she said??

Secondly I know how to say you look like you're: tired, happy sad etc (duu muan gap) but is there a way of saying you sound as if your tired etc?

Many thanks

JJ

ta kert wa means -'if (that) happens....(then)'

In your second request do you mean when you're on the phone? If so, perhaps you could say -khun plia (tired) reu plao... siang khun nuay

[yoot]

ถ้าเกิดว่า- tâa gèrt wâa has the same meaning as ถ้าหากว่า tâa hàak wâa = if in the event that..... , if perchance, supposing that.

e.g. ถ้าเกิดว่าคุณไปพบคนใหม่ ฉันจะทำยังไง tâa gèrt wâa koon bpai póp kon mài chăn jà tam yang ngai

or

ถ้าหากว่าคุณไปพบคนใหม่ ฉันจะทำยังไง tâa hàak wâa koon bpai póp kon mài chăn jà tam yang ngai

- If you perchance met someone new, what would I do?

Secondly I know how to say you look like you're: tired, happy sad etc (duu muan gap) but is there a way of saying you sound as if your tired etc?

You sound as if you're tired. - เสียงคุณฟังดูเหนื่อยจัง sĭang koon fang doo nèuay jang

เสียงคุณ(your voice) ฟัง(listen) ดู(look) เหนื่อยจัง (very tired), but ฟังดู is like you listen to the voice and you feel that....

You sound sad - เสียงคุณฟังดูเศร้าจัง sĭang koon fang doo sâo jang

[meadish_sweetball]

Excellent replies.

[Tywais]

You sound sad - เสียงคุณฟังดูเศร้าจัง sĭang koon fang doo sâo jang

Is saying "siang khong koon" right or wrong?

[yoot]

You sound sad - เสียงคุณฟังดูเศร้าจัง sĭang koon fang doo sâo jang

Is saying "siang khong koon" right or wrong?

เสียงของคุณฟังดูเศร้าจัง and เสียงคุณฟังดูเศร้าจัง both are correct.

[Jack Jones]

Just what I needed, thanks for the help.

[meadish_sweetball]

You sound sad - เสียงคุณฟังดูเศร้าจัง sĭang koon fang doo sâo jang

Is saying "siang khong koon" right or wrong?

This is what I was taught when asking the same question:

Using the genitive puts the ownership function into more focus - it is rarely used by Thais in speech unless they for some reason want to emphasize the ownership aspect, so for a more natural feel, I suggest leaving it out.

A contrast I was given:

pheuan phom = my friend

pheuan khong phom = my friend (showing a bit of exclusivity (not anybody else's friend) or perhaps a bit of pride that this person is your friend - or for a more textual, elaborate usage.)

[Tywais]

Using the genitive puts the ownership function into more focus - it is rarely used by Thais in speech unless they for some reason want to emphasize the ownership aspect, so for a more natural feel, I suggest leaving it out.

Good explanation, thanks. I hate picking up bad habits from improper use and it is easy to do. An example, and I don't know when it started, but have been caught using "bpen" as a direct insertion for "is" and "was" as I would use it in English. Fortunately I have a student who will bring it to my attention now whenever I do it. Have to break that habit. My wife says she hears farangs do that often.

Just realized I'm hijacking the thread. I had planned on starting a topic just on that subject. Sorry.

Edited June 2, 2006 by tywais

[meadish_sweetball]

I dont think it matters that much - yoot already answered the OPs question and there really is nothing more to add to that.