Food and drink
chopsticks noun
- dtà low
- gìap low
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
Classifier: คู่kûu · pair; counting word for shoes and socks
How to use it
Thais use chopsticks for noodle soups and Chinese-style dishes, with a spoon for the broth; rice dishes are eaten with a spoon and fork. They come in pairs, คู่kûu. As in China, don't stand your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice: it looks like incense at a funeral.
Expect to be asked if you can use them, and praised when you can.
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:
- takiap
- ta kiap
- takiab
- ta-giap
- takeab
Read more
More food and drink in Thai
All food and drink- ข้าว kâao Rice
- ข้าวเหนียว kâao-nǐaw Sticky rice
- ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง kâao-nǐaw má-mûang Mango sticky rice
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones