Enquire in Thai

“Enquire” in Thai is สอบถามsàwp-tǎam.

สอบถาม sàwp-tǎam

to enquire, to ask (formal) verb

sàwp low
tǎam rising

Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”

How to use it

สอบถามsàwp-tǎam is the polite, formal "ask, enquire": about information, prices, opening hours. Phone a shop or an office and start with ขอสอบถามหน่อยkǎw sàwp-tǎam nàwy, may I ask something?, and you'll sound well mannered.

In conversation it's ถามtǎam: ถามหน่อยtǎam nàwy, can I ask you something?

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:

sop tham
sob tam
soptham

More formal words in Thai

All formal words

การ gaan Kaan (prefix)
-ing, -tion: turns a verb into a noun (the act of …)
ความ kwaam Kwaam (prefix)
-ness (turns a verb or adjective into a noun)
ผู้ pûu Phu (prefix)
person (who …): makes words for people, like -er
นัก nák Nak (prefix)
-er, -ist: someone who does it (as a job or a passion)
ซึ่ง sûeng Who, which (formal)
which, who (adds information; formal, written)
เมื่อ mûea When (formal)
when, once (formal)

Learn Thai with the free course

A complete course from your first phrase to real conversations, with audio for every word and AI speaking practice. Free, no sign-up needed.

Start the free course

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