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Verbs

Touch in Thai

“Touch” in Thai is จับjàp; you'll also hear แตะdtàe (touch lightly, tap).

จับ jàp

to hold, to grab; to touch; to catch verb

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

to touch lightly, to tap verb

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

How to use it

จับjàp is touching with your hand, the word on museum and shop signs: ห้ามจับhâam jàp, do not touch. แตะdtàe is a light touch or a tap, like tapping a card at the skytrain gate.

In Thailand, don't touch anyone's head, the highest part of the body, and don't point your feet at people or at Buddha images.

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:

  • jup

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