Small wordsEven if in Thai
“Even if” in Thai is แม้máe; you'll also hear ทั้งที่táng-tîi (even though).
even if, although conjunction
- máe high
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
แม้ดินสลายmáe din sà-lǎai = even if the earth crumbles. Also แม้ว่าmáe wâa = although.
even though, despite conjunction
- táng high
- tîi falling
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
เขามาทำงานทั้งที่ไม่สบายkǎo maa tam-ngaan táng-tîi mâi sà-baai = he came to work even though he was sick.
You'll hear it in Khu Khong (คู่คอง).
How to use it
แม้máe, or แม้ว่าmáe wâa, is "even if, although", a little formal; the second half often starts with แต่dtàe or ก็gâw. In everyday speech Thais more often use ถึงtǔeng: ถึงแพงก็ซื้อtǔeng paeng gâw súue, even if it's pricey, I'll buy it. ทั้งที่táng-tîi is "even though", for something that's already true.
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:
- tang thi
- tang tee
More small words in Thai
All small words
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.
Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones