Allow in Thai

“Allow” in Thai is อนุญาตà-nú-yâat; you'll also hear ให้hâi (let (everyday)).

อนุญาต à-nú-yâat

to allow, to permit; permission verb

à low
nú high
yâat falling

Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.

ให้ hâi

to give; to let, to have (someone do something) verb let (everyday)

hâi falling

Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”

You know ให้hâi as 'for' in ช่วยดูให้หน่อยchûay duu hâi nàwy. On its own it means 'give', and before a person and a verb, 'let'.

ให้hâi is taught in Unit 20 · Lesson 2: Relatives, respect and gifts of the free course.

Practise it free

How to use it

อนุญาตà-nú-yâat is formal permission: rules, signs, a boss saying yes. ขออนุญาตkǎw à-nú-yâat is a polite "excuse me, may I?" before you sit down next to someone, take something or reach past them.

In everyday talk, "let" is just ให้hâi: แม่ไม่ให้ไปmâe mâi hâi bpai, Mum won't let me go. To ask whether something is allowed, add ได้ไหมdâi mǎi: ถ่ายรูปได้ไหมtàai-rûup dâi mǎi, can I take photos?

Other spellings you'll see

There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:

anuyat
a nu yat
a nu yaht

More verbs in Thai

All verbs

เป็น bpen Be
to be (a nationality, a job, a role)
มี mii Have
to have
ไป bpai Go
to go
มา maa Come
to come
กิน gin Eat
to eat
ดื่ม dùuem Drink
to drink

Learn this word in Unit 20, free

Unit 20 · Fon's family · Relatives, respect and gifts. Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.

Practise it free (2 min) See Unit 20

Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones