Travel and transport
tuk-tuk (three-wheeled taxi) noun
- dtúk high
- dtúk high
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
Classifier: คันkan · counting word for spoons, forks, cars and umbrellas
How to use it
The ตุ๊กตุ๊กdtúk-dtúk is named after the sound of its engine: two short, high syllables. There's no meter, so agree on the price before you get in: name the place and ask เท่าไหร่tâo-rài. A city tour that's suspiciously cheap usually stops at gem or tailor shops that pay the driver a commission.
The older word is สามล้อsǎam-láw, "three wheels", which also covers the pedal rickshaws you still see in a few towns.
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:
- tuk tuk
- tuktuk
- took took
More travel and transport in Thai
All travel and transport
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones