Learn Thai

How To Learn the Thai Basics in 7 Simple Steps

Although, you are considering learning Thai. Awesome! It really is an interesting language, but yeah… it can feel a little difficult early on. The tones, the script, and the altogether-alien sounds. I mean can anyone not be a bit afraid? But don’t worry! You can definitely learn Thai quickly and not feel like it is too overwhelming with the right mindset, and by using few smart strategies.

Tricks to learn Thai as whole new world. But remember, you are not only learning a language, but you are also diving into a culture. But where do you start? No worries I have you covered. This is a step by step guide to make learning Thai an interesting yet an efficient process. Spoiler alert: you CAN!

Step 1: Establish an understanding of Thai

Start Simple, Think Big

For one to begin learning Thai first teaches them the basics. As well as all other languages, to start learning Thai you need to learn its alphabet and sounds. Your first reaction when you see the script may be overwhelming but trust me, it is worth every part of the journey.

Your base will be learning the fundamental concepts of how the Thai alphabet operates

Step 2: Mastering Tones 

Are They Rising, Falling or Staying the Same?

In Thai the tone of your voice can completely change a words meaning. For example if you say “maa” with an tone it means “come.” But if you use a tone it suddenly refers to a “dog.” Quite amusing right? But dont worry—it’s not as complicated as it seems.

Make it a habit to practice your tones daily. There are five in total; mid, low, high, rising and falling. You can make this practice fun by mimicking speakers or even creating little songs using different tones. Before you know it you’ll start picking up on the nuances and avoid those embarrassing mix ups based on tones (like accidentally calling someone a “horse” instead of “mom”—yikes!).

Step 3: Develop the Vocabulary

Small Words, Big Impact

Now that you have an idea about the basics, it’s high time for you to expand your vocabulary. For small talk in Thai, you don’t need to memorize the entire dictionary at all. Just start off with some most common words and phrases! What, does 10 new words a day sound like 70 new ones a week? Then what’s in a month? Yeah, do the math.

Keep it fun—learn the words that interest you. If you love food—and seriously, who doesn’t? Thai food is the best.—then start with some food-related vocab. Or maybe you want to learn how to introduce yourself. “Sawatdee” means hello, and “Khob khun” means thank you. See, you are already halfway there.

Tip: Flash cards and language apps.

Make it easier on yourself! It’s easy to know the learned words and add new ones with the help of apps like Duolingo or Memrise. You may find online flashcards, or just create your own. What’s more, all of these materials make learning Thai a game, so you can get a total crush every single day.

Step 4: Diving into grammar.

Don’t Fear Grammar; Love It!

Grammar can be scary, but believe me, Thai grammar is going to be so much easier than you fear. Unlike English, Thai doesn’t care much about tenses, so you can totally forget about verb conjugation. How cool is that?

Sentence patterns in Thai are pretty straightforward; they are predominantly of the subject-verb-object word order, similar to that in English. In a matter of days, you will learn how to make sentences very fast, and once you start catching the patterns, you are going to be able to produce yourself from things like “I like coffee” to “I’m learning Thai.”.

Tip: Speak Out Loud

Practice speaking Thai even if it’s gonna feel super awkward. Speaking things out loud really helps you solidify grammar patterns in your head. Really, who cares? It’s just practice.

Step 5: Start Listening to Thai

Do you hear it?

If you are ever willing to become a great Thai speaker, you need to get all immersed: maybe listen to some Thai music, watch a few of their movies or drama, or even catch their news. In that way, the ears get used to the vibe and the sound of the language. I mean, come on—who doesn’t want an excuse to binge-watch Thai shows on Netflix? Step 6: Practicing Speaking Get a Friend or a Language Buddy But if you need to learn, speaking Thai is a must. Don’t have any Thai-speaking buddies? No problem! There are language exchange programs, or even applications that enable you to be paired with someone who is willing to learn English and a Thai speaker. Both of you would benefit from the practice, and who knows, you might score a new friend! Hey, never mind making mistakes; that’s just the way it is. You could think of it this way: learning Thai is kind of like riding a bike. You’ll fall off a few times, but every time you do, you just get back on and get better.

Tip: Join a Thai Learning Community

There are tons of online communities where folks are learning Thai together. You can find Facebook groups, forums, or sites like www.freethailessons.com that let you practice, ask questions, and get some good advice. Trust me, you’re not alone in this journey!

Step 7: Immerse yourself more in Thai culture!

Language and culture go hand in glove.

The Thai language is super connected with their culture. Learning their customs, values, and even their jokes will make learning the language way more fun. Check out how people in this country throw lanterns on the water: some of Thailand’s festivals are Songkran or Loy Krathong. By getting into the cultural vibe of it, you’ll literally have a blast with the language, and believe me, your trip to Thailand will be a blast!

Tip: When you can go to Thailand What better way to immerse oneself in the language than actually traveling to the country where it is spoken? If possible, go to Thailand and see how your Thai skills hold up. Heck, even just saying things like “hello” or “how much does this cost?” will totally open the floodgates to a new world of chats.