How to say yes and no in Thai
Yes in Thai is often ใช่ (châi), “that's right”, and no is ไม่ใช่ (mâi châi). Hear them and see the tones drawn out.
The tone on every syllable
Thai has five tones, and each syllable carries one. Here's the shape your voice makes on each part of ใช่. The dotted line is your normal speaking pitch.
Other ways to say it
| ไม่ใช่ | mâi châi no, that's not right |
Getting it right
- châi is falling: start high and drop.
- In ไม่ใช่ both syllables fall. Give each one its own drop.
When to use it
- Thai has no single word for “yes”. ใช่ confirms that something is right: “Is this the station?” “ใช่”.
- To say yes to doing something, Thais usually repeat the verb, or just answer ครับ / ค่ะ.
- ไม่ใช่ (mâi châi) is “no, that's not right”.
Check your tones
Reading the tone is one thing; saying it is another. In Ravela's Pronunciation Lab you say ใช่ and see your pitch drawn over a native line, with notes on what to change. It's free to start, no card needed.
Practise ใช่ free Try the no-signup tone test
Questions people ask
Is there a word for yes in Thai?
Not one word for every situation. ใช่ (châi) means “that's right”, and ครับ / ค่ะ often work as a polite yes.
What tone is ใช่?
Falling.
More Thai phrases
hello · thank you · sorry / excuse me · how are you? · delicious · how much? · beautiful · no problem / never mind · where's the toilet? · excuse me · I love you · good night · what's your name · I don't understand · where are you from · Khráp and khâ: the polite endings · for the bill
The audio is Ravela's reference voice. Romanisation follows Ravela's house style, with the tone marked on every syllable.
Hear it, say it, see how close you are
Free to start. The Pronunciation Lab and the first lesson of every course, no card needed.
Start free