Shopping and moneyCounting words in Thai
“Counting words” in Thai is อันan; you'll also hear ตัวdtua (animals, clothes, furniture), ลูกlûuk (fruit, round things), ใบbai (bags, cards, leaves), ขวดkùat (bottles) and ชิ้นchín (pieces).
counting word for small things (the all-purpose one) classifier
- an mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
The all-purpose counting word. อันนี้an níi (this one) is simply อันan + นี้níi.
counting word for animals, clothes, tables and chairs classifier animals, clothes, furniture
- dtua mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
Literally 'body'. Mid tone: ตั๋วdtǔa (ticket) rises.
counting word for fruit and round things classifier
- lûuk falling
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
On its own ลูกlûuk means 'child': Pa Daeng sometimes calls you that.
counting word for hats, bags, cards and leaves classifier
- bai mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
Literally 'leaf'. It counts flat things (cards, tickets) and hollow things (bags, boxes, hats).
bottle; counting word for bottles classifier
- kùat low
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
Like แก้วgâew and จานjaan, a container counts what's in it: น้ำสองขวดnáam sǎwng kùat two bottles of water.
piece; counting word for pieces classifier
- chín high
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
Taught in Unit 9 · Lesson 2: How many? of the free course.
Practise it freeHow to use it
Thai counts things with a counting word (a classifier) after the number: กาแฟสองแก้วgaa-fae sǎwng gâew, two coffees; แมวสามตัวmaew sǎam dtua, three cats. The same word follows "this" and "that": ตัวนี้dtua níi, this one (a shirt). When you're not sure which one to use, อันan works for most small things.
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:
- tua
- luk
More shopping and money in Thai
All shopping and money
Learn this word in Unit 9, free
Unit 9 · At the market · How many? Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.
Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones