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Verbs

Tell in Thai

“Tell” in Thai is บอกbàwk; you'll also hear เล่าlâo (tell a story) and บอกให้bàwk hâi (tell someone to).

บอก bàwk

to tell, to say (to someone) verb

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

บอกbàwk + person: บอกฝนbàwk fǒn tell Fon. บอกว่าbàwk wâa + what was said: แม่บอกว่าอร่อยmâe bàwk wâa à-ràwy Mum says it's delicious.

เล่า lâo

to tell (a story), recount verb

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

Ask for the story with เล่าให้ฟังหน่อยlâo hâi fang nàwy: literally 'tell it so I can listen'.

บอกให้ bàwk hâi

to tell (someone) to verb

  • bàwk low
  • hâi falling
  • Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
  • Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”

Taught in Unit 24 · Lesson 2: Goodbye for now of the free course.

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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:

  • bok
  • bork

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

Learn this word in Unit 24, free

Unit 24 · Until we meet again · Goodbye for now. Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.

Practise it free (2 min) See Unit 24

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