Don't want in Thai

“Don't want” in Thai is ไม่เอาmâi ao.

ไม่เอา mâi ao

I don't want (it); no thanks phrase

mâi falling
ao mid

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

ไม่เอาถุงค่ะmâi ao tǔng kâ / ครับkráp = no bag, thanks.

You'll hear it in Thararat (ธารารัตน์).

How to use it

ไม่เอาmâi ao is the quick way to turn something down: a bag at 7-Eleven, a straw, chilli in your noodles. With a stranger, add ครับkráp or ค่ะkâ, or say the softer ไม่ต้องmâi dtâwng, no need.

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:

mai aow

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

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