Small wordsVery in Thai
“Very” in Thai is มากmâak; you'll also hear จังjang (so…! (casual)), สุดๆsùt-sùt (to the max), เหลือเกินlǔea-goen (so very (heartfelt)) and จะตายjà dtaai (so, really (casual)).
very; a lot adverb
- mâak falling
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
It goes after the word it describes: หวานมากwǎan mâak, very sweet.
so, really (casual, after a description) adverb
- jang mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
totally, to the max (casual) adverb
- sùt low
- sùt low
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
so much, extremely adverb so very (heartfelt)
- lǔea rising
- goen mid
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
so, extremely (after an adjective) adverb so, really (casual)
- jà low
- dtaai mid
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
Taught in Unit 3 · Lesson 1: Food, drinks and tastes of the free course.
Practise it freeHow to use it
มากmâak goes after the word it strengthens: ดีมากdii mâak, very good. Doubled, มากๆmâak-mâak is "really, really". In conversation and chats, จังjang turns a description into an exclamation, "so…!", and สุดๆsùt-sùt is "to the max". Young Thais also put the crude โคตรkôot in front, roughly "bloody": it's everywhere among friends but rude with anyone older.
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:
- mak
- mak mak
More small words in Thai
All small words
Learn this word in Unit 3, free
Unit 3 · I like it! · Food, drinks and tastes. Short lessons with audio for every word, speaking practice and spaced review. No sign-up needed.
Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones