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Verbs

Refuse in Thai

“Refuse” in Thai is ปฏิเสธbpà-dtì-sèet; you'll also hear ไม่ยอมmâi yawm (refuse to, won't).

ปฏิเสธ bpà-dtì-sèet

to refuse, to turn down; to deny verb

  • bpà low
  • dtì low
  • sèet low
  • Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
ไม่ยอม mâi yawm

to refuse to, won't (do something) verb

  • mâi falling
  • yawm mid
  • Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”

How to use it

ปฏิเสธbpà-dtì-sèet is the general word for turning something down or denying it, a little formal in everyday talk. The everyday way to say someone refuses to do something is ไม่ยอมmâi yawm, "doesn't give in": ไม่ยอมจ่ายmâi yawm jàai, refuses to pay.

A flat "no" can sound harsh in Thai. Turning down an invitation goes down better with a thank-you or a "next time": ไว้คราวหน้าwái kraao nâa, maybe next time.

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:

  • patiset
  • pa ti set
  • bpatiseet
  • mai yom

Read more

More verbs in Thai

All verbs
  • เป็น bpen Be

    to be (a nationality, a job, a role)

  • มี mii Have

    to have

  • ไป bpai Go

    to go

  • มา maa Come

    to come

  • กิน gin Eat

    to eat

  • ดื่ม dùuem Drink

    to drink

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