Island in Thai

“Island” in Thai is เกาะgàw.

เกาะ gàw

island noun

gàw low

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

Islands are named with it in front: เกาะลันตาgàw-lan-dtaa is Koh Lanta. The Koh on English maps is this word.

Taught in Unit 21 · Lesson 1: On the island of the free course.

Practise it free

How to use it

The Koh (or Ko) in island names is this word: Koh Samui is เกาะสมุยgàw sà-mǔi, Koh Lanta เกาะลันตาgàw lan-dtaa. It's said short and low. Islands are reached by เรือruea, boat, and in the rainy season some ferries stop running when the sea is rough.

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:

More nature and weather in Thai

All nature and weather

คลื่น klûuen Waves
wave(s)
ดำน้ำ dam-náam Snorkel
to snorkel, to dive
พระอาทิตย์ตก prá-aa-tít dtòk Sunset
sunset (the sun goes down)
แดด dàet Sunshine
sunshine, the sun
พระจันทร์ prá-jan Moon
the moon
ฟ้า fáa Sky

Learn this word in Unit 21, free

Unit 21 · Island stories · On the island. Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.

Practise it free (2 min) See Unit 21

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