Small wordsOr not? in Thai
“Or not?” in Thai is หรือเปล่าrǔue bplàao; you'll also hear ป่ะbpà (casual).
…or not? (checking a yes/no question) question word
- rǔue rising
- bplàao low
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
For checking something you suspect, like '…, aren't you?'. In speech it's often shortened to รึเปล่าrúe bplàao.
…or not? (casual, in chats) question word
- bpà low
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
Taught in Unit 6 · Lesson 1: Question words of the free course.
Practise it freeHow to use it
หรือเปล่าrǔue bplàao at the end asks "…or not?", often when you suspect the answer: ไม่สบายหรือเปล่าmâi sà-baai rǔue bplàao, are you feeling ill? In speech it shrinks to รึเปล่าrúe bplàao, and among friends and in chats to ป่ะbpà. To answer no, เปล่าbplàao on its own means "no, not at all".
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:
- rue plao
- ruu bplao
- rue bplao
- reu plao
More small words in Thai
All small words
Learn this word in Unit 6, free
Unit 6 · Questions, questions · Question words. Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.
Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones