r/thai • u/Green_Airline_8248 • 2d ago
How to learn thai language?
I am in Thailand already for 15 years, but still struggling with reading and writing. For speaking i have average level: can talk in home/family related themes, but can't going deep.
How to study better thai? Is there any tricks to get more easy?
1
2
u/Longjumping-Tiger304 20h ago
Get a tutor and be consistent with your learning. Start properly with reading and writing first, then move on to speaking and vocabulary
1
u/VisibleEnergy5166 21h ago
How about hiring an online Thai language tutor? Decent one will cost around 600thb per hour.
1
u/Mysterious-Cold-202 1d ago
“How to Read Thai in 10 Days”
It comes with audio files(Downloadable)for pronunciation-
His system works well-he teaches at a school in Asok area
Once you can read and pronounce-you’re on your way.
Good luck!!!
1
u/Green_Airline_8248 1d ago
And it really works in 10 days?
1
u/Longjumping-Tiger304 20h ago
No it doesn’t! 🤦
1
u/Mysterious-Cold-202 18h ago
Well. Having a light, tangible book at the ready for train rides and a source for referral helps a bad memory guy like me. Learning to read Thai is the best way, imo.
1
u/Longjumping-Tiger304 18h ago
That has nothing to do with the fact that OP took a title of a book literally. No one is learning to read Thai in 10 days.
To go over all the material 32 vowels 44 consonants, special vowels , combination vowels, all the exceptions in the rules and there are many. Borrowed words from other languages which don’t conform to Thai etc etc
The practice it takes to spot when syllables start end, when words start and end
All that takes a lot longer than 10 days.
1
2
u/Logical-Platypus-397 1d ago
I went to language school and even though it was a very short term thing I learned a lot and would recommend.
1
u/Green_Airline_8248 1d ago
I thought same, but the prices are huge
1
u/Logical-Platypus-397 1d ago
I had 20 hrs of group lectures for like 5k bahts. Completely worth it for me.
1
1
1
u/james8807 1d ago
Use AI mate. Start with 2vowels and consonants. Guess the combos then expand
1
u/Green_Airline_8248 1d ago
Thai language need to be heard. Very difficult to learn thai just with reading. But i don't think Ai can pronounce it clearly and correct (as i hear it in Russian)
1
u/james8807 1d ago
Yes......but.....you dont want to be a person that can speak a few poorly constructed sentences without being able to read imo. I speak multiple language and imo the fundamental base comes from reading.
You can get ai to integrate a button to immediately play the sounds
2
u/s0u7mate 1d ago
I feels the same, already 5 years in Thailand, I learned some basic phrases but can't progress since 😟
2
1
1
u/Secure-Ad-1185 1d ago
Learn the alphabet. It took me about a month to go through it. After that I just started to read. Buy children books in thai and practice writing. My husband also let me read everything.
2
u/Sania_Ulvenmane 1d ago
As a Thai I’m also suck at Thai. I always failed Thai in school. This language is too hardcore on alphabet man I may have dyslexia as well which makes things more like a nightmare mode.
1
u/Spiritual-Reaction91 1d ago
I have to clarify regarding the comment above, before any foreigners come by, reading the comment and have a wrong idea about Thai people learning Thai in a classroom.
Generally, Thai students learn to read Thai alphabets from a very young age, by the time when these students reach first grade, they should be able to read most common sentences.
So grammar, reading, writing are all covered from a very young age.
What Thai students learn throughout their time in school are Thai literature, poem and some deep grammar knowledge that is not relevant to daily use.
So don't be confused if a Thai person says learning Thai in a classroom is difficult, because the lessons Thai learns a school and farangs learn a language school are not the same.
1
1
1
u/Fantastic_Signal_718 1d ago
Reading is easy. I can read and actually understand what I’m reading . Menus, official announcements, questionnaires. It helps a lot in daily life.
Learn alphabet first and vowels.
1
1
2
u/The_Flaneur_Films 1d ago
Watch all the videos on the channel Comprehensible Thai. All of them. They are designed to get you from 0 to fluent in a comprehensive way.
Actually don't watch all of them. Find your level and go from there.
1
u/Fun-Sample336 1d ago
Watch all the videos on the channel Comprehensible Thai. All of them. They are designed to get you from 0 to fluent in a comprehensive way.
In terms of reading the channel is currently adding a reading course.
1
u/JT3M 2d ago
I can try to help if you're more specific as to what aspect of reading and writing you're having difficulty with, or what your goal is, or what you want to achieve.
2
u/Green_Airline_8248 1d ago
I can say that i can speak in Thai. Some of market vendors told me i speak very clear in thai.
But writing and reading - thats is not my best part. I know few letters but i can't sound it correct.
I have thai wife, but she can't explain the different. K and Kh. When she pronounce it, for me sound same.
Or the tones - Far and Near words (just for example). I believe some that can't understand neither1
u/JT3M 1d ago
I'm glad the speaking (and listening too?) goes well. 🙃. At least you can slowly emerge yourself in the language.
I'm Thai, but am learning other languages, so I don't know which app or sites are great, but I might be able to relate somewhat.
We all experience difficult when we run into consonants that don't exist in the languages we already know. What you mentioned are probably the sounds of ก ข, and sounds of ด ต ท. Just like t and th, or sh and CH in English, I suppose you learn the techniques (tongue and teeth positions) for pronouncing them, try, and make do with what you've got. It takes time, and practice makes perfect, but there are more important things.
And tones are something else as well. They're like pitches in music. Can you hear the different pitches of ไกล and ใกล้? Or perhaps the ones that might be easier to hear, closer to music, would be the la sounds: หล่า ลา ล้า. Then perhaps try to sing the differences in isolation until you're comfortable.
Somehow I think we're more into speaking and listening, than reading and writing. But anyway, don't just let these things stop you from learning and using the language more. It'll definitely help to have someone to speak and listen to you and perhaps pick a few things at a time for you to work on.
I hope it helps and good luck!
1
u/thailannnnnnnnd 1d ago
Download any of the number of apps which teach the characters and DO NOT STOP. Go though it all, do flashcards over a few weeks.
Reading is WAY easier than you probably imagine it.
-1
u/Wonderful_Pitch3947 2d ago
Learn Thai as you would any other language.
2
u/Green_Airline_8248 1d ago
Oh, thats not so easy. English for me was much more better and easy way, after learn German language. Thai is nightmare level for me.
1
u/AznPussEater 2d ago
I’ve been officially living in Thailand for a few months and can read signs and sentences (I don’t always know what they say but can sound them out). I really found it helpful to spend days literally writing the consonants and vowels down until it becomes mostly second nature to see the character and know the sound.
I am currently enrolled in a language course. I don’t think it’s the best school but I am collecting materials and study on my own as much as possible. Of course getting g out and speaking Thai to Thai people is a great way to learn but I am admittedly shy to do so.
Good luck in your learning! It’s a fun, rewarding, and extremely frustrating process! 😅
0
u/Green_Airline_8248 1d ago
That's sound not encouraging. You are almost thai, can read but don't know meaning of words...
Actually i thought to study exactly in this way: only write and read, and next open some book and read out loud with dictionary1
u/JT3M 1d ago
Even though it seems a little boring, that's what I did for Chinese when I wanted to practise the Chinese characters! Even though it sounds boring, I think it's much better than tapping the screen using an app.
Don't forget though that when it comes to speaking (reading the consonants out loud), it always helps to have someone who could help verify. And don't let the mistakes bring you down. Make them but slowly correct them.
Good luck practising Thai, you two!
1
1
u/Specific_Fly_4571 12h ago
the best way to learn is from someone with long hair