Describing thingsUnique in Thai
“Unique” in Thai is ไม่เหมือนใครmâi mǔean krai; you'll also hear เอกลักษณ์èek-gà-lák (distinctive character).
unique, like no one else phrase
- mâi falling
- mǔean rising
- krai mid
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
identity, distinctive character noun
- èek low
- gà low
- lák high
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
How to use it
Thai says "unique" as ไม่เหมือนใครmâi mǔean krai, "like nobody", a compliment for a café, an outfit or a voice. Something with its own recognisable character มีเอกลักษณ์mii èek-gà-lák, "has an identity", the phrase of travel writing and the news, as in เอกลักษณ์ไทยèek-gà-lák tai, Thai identity. Special or extra is another word, พิเศษpí-sèet.
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:
- mai meuan khrai
- ekalak
- eka lak
More describing things in Thai
All describing things- ดี dii Good in Thai
- ดีกว่า dii gwàa Better in Thai
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones