Unit 1: Hello, Thailand

Use it morning, noon and night, and for goodbye too; the lighter word after it is your polite particle, coming up next.

High tone. Men end polite statements and questions with it, and say it on its own for 'yes' or 'I'm listening'.

Falling tone. Women end statements and answers with it, and say it on its own for 'yes'.

What staff and hosts say as you walk in, and what the signs say when you land.

The answer to 'how are you?', and with ไหมmǎi after it, the question itself.

Spelled with a rising tone but usually said high, which is why chats spell it มั้ยmái.

High tone. Women end questions with it, and switch to it after นะná.

Said with an open hand: come in, have a seat, after you, or please start eating.

Palms together, fingers up, a small bow of the head: the higher the hands, the deeper the respect.

For 'thank you very much', add มากmâak: ขอบคุณมากkàwp-kun mâak.

An apology, and also the polite way to get someone's attention or squeeze past.

The answer to ขอโทษkǎw-tôot and to ขอบคุณkàwp-kun, and the easy-going attitude Thais are known for.

It confirms that something is true. To say yes to an offer, Thais answer with ครับkráp or ค่ะkâ instead.

It corrects a fact ('no, that's not it'); it isn't how you turn down an offer.

Borrowed from English and used just the same way.

The everyday way to leave: 'I'll go first, okay?'. Textbook ลาก่อนlaa gàwn is a final farewell, the kind you hear in films.

Also a warm 'take care' when someone heads off.