How to say “want” in any case…
Most of farang may learn as the word “ao” if you would like to say “want”, but this word cannot use in every case.
Today we are going to learn more about “want”.
Case 1. Ao
Actually the word “ao” means “to take” or “to bring” but you can use when you choose or order something.
For example
Ao kâaw-pàt kâ. เอาข้าวผัดค่ะ I want fried rice please.
Q : Ao nám mái kráp? เอาน้ำไหมครับ Do you want some water?
A : Ao kâ เอาค่ะ Yes (I want)
Mâi ao kâ ไม่เอาค่ะ No (I don’t want)
Case 2. yàak + verb
This is the most common way to say in Thai, it means “want to____”.
For example
Chán yàak bpai Phuket. ฉันอยากไปภูเก็ต I want to go to Phuket.
Not Chán ao bpai Phuket. ×
Pǒm yàak rain paa-sǎa Thai ผมอยากเรียนภาษาไทย I want to learn Thai language.
Not Pǒm ao rian paa-sǎa Thai. ×
***Note The word “want” which does not use when you order something (case 1), Thai people say
yàak mii + something = want to have _____
For example
How do you say “I want a house”?
@“chán ao bâan”
This sentence is possible if somebody ask you “which one do you want, house or car?” Then you choose the house.
@ “chán yàak bâan”
This sentence is grammatically wrong because “yàak” always follow by “verb”
Therefore, in this case we say,
”chán yàak mii bâan” ฉันอยากมีบ้าน (I want (to have) a house.)
Case 3. Dtâwng-gaan + noun / verb
This is the formal way to say and to write in Thai, it means “would like to____” or “want (to) ______”
For example
Kun John dtâwng-gaan póp kun
คุณจอห์นต้องการพบคุณ
=Mr John would like to meet you.
Pûu-jàt-gaan dtâwng-gaan èk-gà-sǎan dtawn-ní
ผู้จัดการต้องการเอกสารตอนนี้
=The manager wants a document now.
Dtawn-ní chán hĭw mâak, yàak bpai gin kâaw, ao kâaw-pàt 3 jaan kâ!!
(Now I’m very hungry, want to go to eat, I want 3 dishes of fried rice!!)
Hope you enjoyed learning Thai…
Kruu Jang
Thai Teacher
Yàak pûut paa-sǎa Thai …then come to have a look at our Thai Language School