Small wordswhere question word
- tîi falling
- nǎi rising
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
Like most question words it goes where the answer goes, usually at the end.
where; which question word after a verb
- nǎi rising
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
After a verb it asks 'where'; after a noun it asks 'which': คนไหนkon nǎi, which person?
Taught in Unit 6 · Lesson 1: Question words of the free course.
Practise it freeHow to use it
ที่ไหนtîi-nǎi is "where" ("at which place"); after verbs of movement, ไหนnǎi alone is enough: ไปไหนbpai nǎi, where are you going? To ask where something is, use อยู่ที่ไหนyùu tîi-nǎi: ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหนhâwng-náam yùu tîi-nǎi, where's the bathroom?
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:
- tee nai
- thi nai
- tinai
More small words in Thai
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Learn this word in Unit 6, free
Unit 6 · Questions, questions · Question words. 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