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Formal words

I (formal) in Thai

The formal “I” in Thai is ดิฉันdì-chǎn for women and กระผมgrà-pǒm for men; formal writing uses ข้าพเจ้าkâa-pá-jâo.

ดิฉัน dì-chǎn

I, me (women, formal) pronoun

  • dì low
  • chǎn 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?”
กระผม grà-pǒm

I, me (men, very polite) pronoun

  • grà low
  • pǒm 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?”
ข้าพเจ้า kâa-pá-jâo

I (formal writing and speeches) pronoun written

  • kâa falling
  • pá high
  • jâo falling
  • Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
  • High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.

How to use it

Thai has formal versions of "I". ดิฉันdì-chǎn is a woman's formal "I": in presentations, job interviews, customer service and calls to an office. กระผมgrà-pǒm is a man's very polite "I", for speeches and for speaking to someone far more senior. ข้าพเจ้าkâa-pá-jâo is the "I" of formal writing, declarations and official speeches, for men and women.

In daily life men say ผมpǒm and women ฉันchǎn, and many people simply use their nickname.

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:

  • dee chan
  • kraphom
  • kra phom
  • khaphachao
  • kha pha chao

Read more

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)

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