Just a moment please,
getting sound files . . .

Turning Statements into Questions

Just as you learned in our lesson about introductions and asking for someone's name, you can easily turn the statements from the previous exercise into questions using any of the question forms.

For this example we'll use the Thai question particles. Review them now using the sound files provided.

ไหม mǎi
(question particle)
ไหมครับ mǎi kráp
(question particle, polite form)
หรือ rǔu
(question particle)
หรือครับ rǔu kráp
(question particle, polite form)

Add the question particle

In this example we'll use the polite form, but you can practice saying it both ways in the practice exercises. For female speakers practicing now, be sure you are using the correct words for your gender.

มีโรงเรียน
mee rong-rian
(There is a school.)
มีโรงเรียนไหมครับ
mee rong-rian mǎi kráp
(Is there is a school?)
มีเก้าอี้
mee gâo-êe
(You have a chair.)
มีเก้าอี้ไหมครับ
mee gâo-êe mǎi kráp
(Do you have a chair?)
มีปากกา mee bpàak-gaa
(They have pens.)
มีปากกาไหมครับ
mee bpàak-gaa mǎi kráp
(Do they have pens?)
Examples with the Subject Noun

In the examples below you are making it clear that you are talking about another person:

เขา - someone known to the speakers
ทักษิณ - a specific person is named for clarification

เขามีเก้าอี้ไหมครับ
kǎo mee gâo-êe mǎi kráp
(Does he have a chair?)
ทักษิณมีปากกาไหมครับ
ták-sǐn mee bpàak-gaa mǎi kráp
(Does Taksin have a pen?)

Remember

When a verb is used in a question, and the question particle ไหม is used, a simple affirmative or negative response is usually all that is expected. The affirmative answer is a repetition of the main verb, in either positive or negative form. To make any verb negative, just add the word ไม่ in front of it, as shown below.

มีโรงเรียนไหมครับ
mee rong-rian mǎi kráp
(Is there is a school?)
มีครับ
mee kráp
(There is.)
ไม่มีครับ
mâi mee kráp
(There is not.)

In answers, it is not necessary to restate the entire question. However, it is sometimes done for emphasis, or to stress the point. Usually, just saying "มี" or "ไม่มี" is sufficient.

Lesson Navigation:

Application Settings:
Gender  (Recordings for your gender)
Transliterations  (Thai words in English)
Interpretations  (What the words mean)

More to come . . .

Active Thai is a work in progress, supported by our users. Please tell your friends!


Click for Info

Lesson Navigation:

Application Settings:
Gender  (Recordings for your gender)
Transliterations  (Thai words in English)
Interpretations  (What the words mean)

More to come . . .

Active Thai is a work in progress, supported by our users. Please tell your friends!


Click for Info