How (formal) in Thai

The written word for “how” in Thai is อย่างไรyàang-rai; in speech everyone says ยังไงyang-ngai.

อย่างไร yàang-rai

how, in what way (formal, written) question word

yàang low
rai mid

Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.

How to use it

อย่างไรyàang-rai is the written form of ยังไงyang-ngai, "how": you'll see it in headlines, FAQs and instructions, and hear it in speeches and interviews. In conversation everyone says ยังไงyang-ngai: ไปยังไงbpai yang-ngai, how do I get there?

Thai asks for an opinion with "how", not "what": คิดว่ายังไงkít wâa yang-ngai, what do you think? It also builds อย่างไรก็ตามyàang-rai gâw dtaam, "however".

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:

yang rai
yangrai
yarngrai

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