Learning Thai isn’t just about memorizing words—it’s about reconnecting with your family’s stories, traditions, and cherished memories.
If you’ve ever wanted to write letters to your loved ones or decode your grandparents’ handwritten recipes, learning to spell Thai words is a great place to start.
Unlike English, where letters are learned in isolation from A to Z, Thai letters always come with a familiar word attached.
For example, the full name of the letter ก (g) is ก ไก่ (goo-gai), meaning “chicken.”
So, the next time you want to write a letter when you miss your distant loved ones, recognizing these letter names will help you follow along easily.
Another fun fact? There is an official Thai transcription system: the Royal Thai General System of Transcription (RTGS).
If your relatives learned Thai in school, they likely know how to spell Thai words using Roman letters.
If you ever get stuck, just ask them to transcribe something for you—it’s a simple way to bridge the gap between languages while strengthening your bond with loved ones.
Ready to dive deeper?
Let’s explore five useful pieces of advice on how to spell Thai words that will help you communicate more effectively and connect with your Thai roots and family meaningfully.
Table Of Contents
1. Observe How Your Relatives Spell Thai Words
Imagine sitting with your Thai grandma, listening to her talk about a favorite dish, or writing her a heartfelt message.
Learning Thai letters helps you piece words together, making family conversations more meaningful.
The phrase “I miss Grandma” in Thai is: ฉันคิดถึงคุณย่า (chǎn kít-tǔeng kun-yâa)
Let’s break down just one word: ฉัน (chǎn – “I”). Knowing the Thai alphabet helps you recognize its parts and spell it correctly.
| Thai Letter | Transcription | Letter Name | Meaning of Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| ฉ | ch | ฉ ฉิ่ง (choo-chìng) | Cymbals |
| ั | a | สระ อะ (sà-rà à) | Vowel “a” |
| น | n | น หนู (noo-nǔu) | Mouse |
In English, when someone asks how to spell the word “no,” you might say “EN” plus “OU” or “N as in nose, O as in orange.”
But in Thai, spelling works a little differently! Instead of just naming the letters, each consonant is taught with an attached word to help identify it clearly.
For example, to spell “no” in a Thai way, you would say “น หนู + สระ โอ” (noo-nǔu + sà-rà oo), which literally means “mo-mouse (in Thai) + vowel O.”
So, to spell the word ฉัน (chǎn) ‘I (female),’ you would say “ฉ ฉิ่ง + สระ อะ + น หนู” (choo-chìng + sà-rà à + noo-nǔu), or “C as in cymbals + vowel A + N as in mouse.”
Instead of just naming letters, Thai spelling sounds more like a rhythmic chant that makes words easier to recognize and remember. Pretty cool, right?
Why This Matters For Connecting With Family
Imagine sitting with your Thai aunt as she shares a cherished family recipe.
She starts spelling out the ingredients, letter by letter, using Thai consonants like ก ไก่ (gaw-gài, chicken) and น หนู (noo-nǔu, mouse).
Instead of feeling lost, you recognize the sounds and follow along—suddenly, that mystery dish you’ve always loved has a name you can now spell and remember!
Learning how Thai letters are named isn’t just about language—it’s about keeping family traditions alive.
Whether it’s reading an old letter from your grandfather, texting your cousins in Thailand, or writing a simple note to Grandma saying “I miss you” (ฉันคิดถึงคุณย่า / chǎn kít-tǔeng kun yâa), recognizing letter names bridges the language gap between you and your loved ones.
And the best part? You don’t need to master pronunciation first!
Just by learning to spell Thai words, you’re already opening the door to deeper conversations and stronger family bonds.
Learning Basic Thai Consonants And Vowels
Now, let’s take a closer look at the essential Thai consonants and vowels, using simple, one-syllable words you can start using with your grandparents today!
Thai has 44 consonants and 32 vowels, but don’t worry—we’ll start with the 20 most commonly used to keep things simple and practical.
20 Basic Thai Consonants
| Thai Consonant | Full Name (with Meaning) | Example Word |
|---|---|---|
| ก | กอ ไก่ (gaw-gài) – Chicken | กิน (gin) – ‘eat’ |
| ข | ขอ ไข่ (khǎw-khài) – Egg | ขา (kǎa) – ‘leg’ |
| ค | คอ ควาย (khaw-khwaai) – Buffalo | คิด (khít) – ‘think’ |
| จ | จอ จาน (jaw-jaan) – Plate | จบ (jòp) – ‘finish’ |
| ฉ | ฉอ ฉิ่ง (chǎw-chìng) – Cymbals | ฉัน (chǎn) – ‘I’ (female) |
| ช | ชอ ช้าง (chaw-cháang) – Elephant | ชื่อ (chûue) – ‘name’ |
| ต | ตอ เต่า (taw-tào) – Turtle | ตา (dtaa) – ‘grandfather (maternal) / eye’ |
| ด | ดอ เด็ก (daw-dèk) – Child | ดี (dii) – ‘good’ |
| ท | ทอ ทหาร (thaw-thá-hǎan) – Soldier | ทาน (taan) – ‘eat’ (formal) |
| น | นอ หนู (naw-nǔu) – Mouse | นอน (noon) – ‘sleep’ |
| บ | บอ ใบไม้ (baw-bai-máai) – Leaf | บอก (bòok) – ‘tell’ |
| ป | ปอ ปลา (paw-plaa) – Fish | ไป (bpai) – ‘go’ |
| ม | มอ ม้า (maw-máa) – Horse | แม่ (mâae) – ‘mother’ |
| ย | ยอ ยักษ์ (yaw-yák) – Giant | ยิน (yin) – ‘hear’ |
| ร | รอ เรือ (raw-rua) – Boat | รัก (rák) – ‘love’ |
| ล | ลอ ลิง (law-ling) – Monkey | ลูก (lûuk) – ‘child’ |
| ส | สอ เสือ (saw-sǔea) – Tiger | สวย (sǔai) – ‘beautiful’ |
| ห | หอ หีบ (haw-hìip) – Box | หมา (mǎa) – ‘dog’ |
| พ | พอ พาน (phaw-phaan) – Tray | พ่อ (pôo) – ‘father’ |
| ฟ | ฟอ ฟัน (faw-fan) – Tooth | ฟัน (fan) – ‘tooth’ |
15 Most Basic Thai Vowels
| Thai Vowel | Full Name (with Meaning) | Example Word |
|---|---|---|
| -ะ | สระ อะ (sà-rà à) – Vowel “a” | ปะ (bpà) – ‘touch’ |
| -า | สระ อา (sà-rà aa) – Vowel “aa” | มา (maa) – ‘come’ |
| – ิ | สระ อิ (sà-rà ì) – Vowel “i” | นิด (nít) – ‘a little’ |
| – ี | สระ อี (sà-rà ii) – Vowel “ii” | ดี (dii) – ‘good’ |
| – ุ | สระ อุ (sà-rà ù) – Vowel “u” | บุญ (bun) – ‘merit’ |
| – ู | สระ อู (sà-rà uu) – Vowel “uu” | รู้ (rúu) – ‘know’ |
| เ-ะ | สระ เอะ (sà-rà e) – Vowel “e” | เป็น (bpen) – ‘to be’ |
| เ- | สระ เอ (sà-rà ee) – Vowel “ee” | เคย (koei) – ‘used to’ |
| แ-ะ | สระ แอะ (sà-rà ae) – Vowel “ae” | แพะ (pàe) – ‘goat’ |
| แ- | สระ แอ (sà-rà aae) – Vowel “aae” | แม่ (mâae) – ‘mother’ |
| โ-ะ | สระ โอะ (sà-rà o) – Vowel “o” | โตะ (tó) – ‘table’ |
| โ- | สระ โอ (sà-rà oo) – Vowel “oo” | โต (too) – ‘grow’ |
| เ-าะ | สระ ออ (sà-rà aw) – Vowel “aw” | ขอ (kóo) – ‘ask’ |
| -ำ | สระ อำ (sà-rà am) – Vowel “am” | ทำ (tam) – ‘do/make’ |
2. Learn Both RTGS And IPA Transcription Styles To Bridge The Communication Gap
If learning the Thai script feels overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t have to master it all at once. A great starting point is romanization, or writing Thai words using the Latin alphabet.
In fact, if your Thai family members went to school in Thailand, they were likely taught The Royal Thai General System of Transcription (RTGS)—the official method to spell Thai words in English letters.
This system was introduced in 1917, back when Thailand was still called Siam, and is still widely used today.
But here’s something important to know—not every source follows this system. In real life, different books, signs, and websites use alternative ways to spell Thai words in English.
For example, Thailand’s ancient capital is spelled “Ayutthaya” in one place and “Ayudhya” in another.
This happens because Thai doesn’t have a single, universally accepted way of being written in English.
Another popular transcription style is the simplified International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) style, which focuses more on capturing accurate pronunciation.
So, if you’re reading a Thai language textbook, you might notice that its spellings look different from what your relatives use.
Comparing And Contrasting RTGS And IPA
Here’s a useful comparison of 10 common Thai words that you and your Thai family might use, written in RTGS and Simplified IPA so that you can see the differences:
| English | Thai | RTGS Style | Simplified IPA Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | สวัสดี | sa-wàt-dīi | sa.wàt.dīː |
| Thank you | ขอบคุณ | koop kun | kʰɔ̀ːp.kʰun |
| Yes | ใช่ | châi | tcâj |
| No | ไม่ | mâi | mâj |
| Mother | แม่ | mâae | mɛ̂ː |
| Father | พ่อ | phôo | pʰɔ̂ː |
| Grandmother (maternal) | ยาย | yaii | jāj |
| Grandfather (maternal) | ตา | taa | taː |
| Home | บ้าน | bâan | bâːn |
| Eat | กิน | kin | kīn |
The key differences between the two systems lie in how open and closed vowels, short and long vowels, and aspirated versus unaspirated consonants are transcribed.
We’ll dive deeper into these details in our blog on Thai phonetics, Thai pronunciation and How To Speak Thai: Live And Dead Thai Syllables, but this overview will set you on the right path for now!
Why This Matters For Connecting with Family
Learning how Thai words are transcribed can make communicating with your loved ones much easier.
If you ever want to read Thai language textbooks (especially those for English speakers)—often transcribed in IPA for more accurate pronunciation—or read the spelling your relatives gave you for a word in RTGS, understanding both systems will help you navigate different spellings effortlessly.
Whether texting your relatives or exploring family history, recognizing these transcription styles ensures you never feel lost in translation!
3. Learn How Your Thai Family Describes Thai Tones
If you’ve ever asked a Thai family member about pronunciation, you might have noticed that they don’t always explain tones in the way a textbook would.
That’s because native speakers don’t typically think of tones as separate components—they just intuitively recognize them.
So, if you ask your grandparents how to pronounce a word, they might not be able to explain it in terms of “low, mid, high, rising, and falling” as you’d find in a language course.
Instead, they may use their own way of describing tones based on how they were taught in school or picked up naturally through speech.
One way to bridge this gap is by learning the Thai words for each tone level:
| English | Thai | Formal Name | Name Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid Tone | เสียงกลาง (sǐiang glaang) | สามัญ (sǎa-man) | Common |
| Low Tone | เสียงต่ำ (sǐiang dtàm) | เอก (èek) | First tone |
| Falling Tone | เสียงตก (sǐiang dtòk) | โท (too) | Second tone |
| High Tone | เสียงสูง (sǐiang sǔung) | ตรี (dtrii) | Third tone |
| Rising Tone | เสียงขึ้น (sǐiang khûen) | จัตวา (jàt-dtà-waa) | Fourth tone, starts low and rises |
Most Thai families, especially older generations, might refer to tones using everyday words like เสียงต่ำ (sǐiang dtàm) for low tone or เสียงสูง (sǐiang sǔung) for high tone rather than the formal terms used in language courses.
So, if your grandparents describe a word’s pronunciation to you, knowing both versions will help you follow along naturally.
Understanding Tone Markers
Another thing you might notice is that instead of describing the pitch of a word, your relatives might refer to the tone marks written in Thai.
This is especially important if they are trying to spell a word in Thai for you.
These symbols help indicate the correct tone for words that don’t follow the default pronunciation rules.
Sounds complicated? No worries, we will take it up in our blog exploring what are the Thai tone rules.
For now, let’s just look at the four tone markers in Thai:
| Tone Marker | Name in Thai | Used For | Example Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | สามัญ (sǎa-man) | Middle Tone | กา (kaa) | Crow |
| ่ | ไม้เอก (mái èek) | Low tone | ข่า (kàa) | Galangal (spice) |
| ้ | ไม้โท (mái too) | Falling tone | ข้าว (kâao) | Rice |
| ๊ | ไม้ตรี (mái dtrii) | High tone | เก๊ (ké) | Fake |
| ๋ | ไม้จัตวา (mái jàt-dtà-waa) | Rising tone | ข๋า (khǎa) | Rare polite particle (mostly archaic) |
Why This Matters For Connecting With Family
Instead of asking your Thai family to explain tones in an unfamiliar way, you can meet them where they are, making conversations smoother and more enjoyable.
Imagine sitting at the dinner table and asking about a dish your aunt just made.
If she tells you the name of the dish but says it has ไม้เอก (mái èek), you’ll immediately know to pronounce it with a low tone.
By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you’ll be able to navigate spoken Thai more naturally and strengthen your bond with your Thai-speaking relatives—one conversation at a time!
Now Let’s Write A Short Letter To Your Loved Ones!
Imagine wanting to tell your grandmother you miss her but don’t yet know how to speak Thai fluently.
The phrase “I miss Grandma” in Thai is:
ฉันคิดถึงคุณย่า (chǎn kít-tǔeng kun-yâa) [for paternal grandma]
By learning to spell Thai words, you can recognize each letter and already write a heartfelt message to your grandma—even before mastering pronunciation!
Let’s break down the phrase ฉันคิดถึงคุณย่า (chǎn kít-tǔeng kun-yâa) ‘I miss grandma,’ so you can see how it’s built:
| Word | Composed of | Transcription | Name of Letter | Meaning of Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ฉัน (chán) – I (female) (1 syllable) | ฉ | ch | ฉ ฉิ่ง (choo-chìng) | Cymbals |
| ั | a | สระ อะ (sà-rà à) | Vowel “a” | |
| น | n | น หนู (noo-nǔu) | Mouse | |
| คิดถึง (kít-tǔeng) – to miss (2 syllables) | ค | k | ค ควาย (koo-kwaai) | Buffalo |
| ิ | i | สระ อิ (sà-rà ì) | Vowel “i” | |
| ด | d | ด เด็ก (doo-dèk) | Child | |
| ถ | t | ถ ถุง (thaw-thǔng) | Bag | |
| ึ | ue | สระ อึ (sà-rà ʉ̀) | Vowel “ue” | |
| ง | ng | ง งู (ngaw-nguu) | Snake | |
| คุณย่า (kun-yâa) – grandma (2 syllables) | ค | k | ค ควาย (khaw-khwaai) | Buffalo |
| ุ | u | สระ อุ (sà-rà ù) | Vowel “u” | |
| ณ | n | ณ เณร (naw-neen) | Novice monk | |
| ย | y | ย หญิง (yaw-yǐng) | Woman | |
| ่ | ^ | ไม้เอก (máai èek) | First tone mark (low tone) | |
| า | aa | สระ อา (sà-rà aa) | Vowel “aa” |
Tips For Heritage Learners: Thai Script Or Romanization To Connect With Your Family?
1. Start By Using Romanization For Immediate Conversations
If you’re just beginning, romanization can be a great shortcut to start speaking with your Thai relatives immediately.
Try sending a simple message like “chan kid tueng kun ya” (ฉันคิดถึงคุณย่า) — “I miss you, Grandma,” without the tone marking.
Since many Thai people learned the Royal Thai General System of Transcription (RTGS) in school, whether actively or passively, they’ll likely be able to guess what you’re trying to say.
Just remember that Romanized Thai isn’t always consistent across books and websites, so pronunciation might vary!
2. Recognize Thai Letters To Follow Along When Your Family Spells Words
Learning the Thai script allows you to understand how your family members naturally spell Thai words aloud.
For example, if your uncle says, กอ ไก่, สระ อา, ดอ เด็ก (gaw-gài, sà-rà aa, daw-dèk) when spelling กา (gaa – “crow” or “coffee” in Thai), you’ll immediately know the letters they are referring to!
Imagine sitting at a family gathering, following along as they spell a dish you want to order—this makes learning interactive and personal.
3. Use The Thai Script To Read And Write Meaningful Messages
Even if you’re not yet fluent, recognizing Thai letters means you can write heartfelt messages to your grandparents in their native script.
A simple note like รักย่า (râk yâa) – “Love you, Grandma” will mean so much more when written in Thai.
Plus, learning even a few characters helps you read family recipes, old letters, or even your last name in Thai—bringing you one step closer to your roots.
Final Thought: Start with Romanization for quick conversations, but gradually embrace the Thai script to strengthen your family connections in a deeper and more personal way.
Your grandparents will love seeing you embrace the language they grew up with!
How Do You Say Spell In Thai?
In Thai, the word for “spell” is สะกด (sà-gòt) .
To ask someone how to spell Thai words, you can say คำนี้สะกดยังไงคะ/ครับ? (kham née sà-gòt yang ngai khá/kráp?) , which means “How do you spell this?”
To ask someone to spell Thai words for you, you can say สะกดให้หน่อยได้ไหมคะ/ครับ? (sà-gòt hâi nàuy dâi mái khá/kráp?) , which means “Can you spell this for me?”
These phrases are great for connecting with your Thai family and expressing your curiosity about learning the language.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spelling In Thai
How Do You Spell Names In Thai?
When spelling names in Thai, the phonetic sounds of the original name are translated into Thai script.
For example, the name “John” would be spelled as จอห์น (joon) in Thai.
Breaking it down:
- จ (j) sounds like “j” in “job.”
- อ (o) is a vowel sound similar to “o” in “pot.”
- ห์ (h) is a silent mark, often used in borrowed words.
- น (n) is pronounced like the “n” in “nap.”
If you’re learning Thai to connect with your grandparents, being able to write names correctly can be an essential way to honor your family’s heritage.
The Ling app’s writing lessons on Thai letters are exactly for this purpose, making it easy to learn the Thai alphabet quickly, enabling you to write names in Thai and feel more connected to your roots and family history.
How Do They Write In Thailand?
In Thailand, people primarily write using the Thai script, a series of unique letters that have been in use for centuries.
The script consists of 44 consonants, 32 vowels, and several tone marks, making it different from the Latin alphabet used in English.
Writing in Thai may initially seem complex, but it’s deeply connected to Thai culture and heritage.
Learning to write in Thai helps you communicate better with your family and preserve and honor your cultural identity.
How Do You Spell Khun Thai?
Here’s how to spell the word คุณ (kun) in Thai:
- ค (k) – This consonant is pronounced like the “k” in “kite.”
- ุ (u) – This short vowel sounds like the “u” in “put.”
- ณ (n) – This consonant sounds like the “n” in “no,” but it has a unique pronunciation in combination with the previous vowel.
This word is incredibly important when speaking with your Thai family because it’s used as a respectful title to address someone politely.
Adding คุณ (kun) in front of family terms shows respect and affection. For example, you would say คุณแม่ (kun mâe) to refer to your mother, คุณอา (kun aa) for an uncle or aunt, and คุณตา (kun dtaa) for your paternal grandfather.
Besides, คุณ (kun) also acts as one of the pronouns in Thai—the formal second-person pronoun “you.”
You use it in conversations with people you don’t know well, such as elders, colleagues, or strangers, to show politeness.
Learning to use คุณ (kun) as an honorific name prefix and formal pronoun correctly is a simple yet powerful way to embrace the language and foster respect in family conversations.
Your First Step To Spell Thai Words
As you embark on your journey to connect with your family and honor your roots, remember these essential pointers: Observe How Your Relatives Spell Thai Words so you can understand the spelling system they use daily.
Learning Basic Thai Consonants And Vowels will lay a strong foundation for your understanding.
Learn Both RTGS And IPA Transcription Styles To Bridge The Communication Gap will also help you understand and connect with your relatives more authentically and meaningfully.
Furthermore, don’t forget to Learn How Your Thai Family Describes Thai Tones as it plays a crucial role in perfecting your pronunciation, along with Understanding Tone Markers to master the tonal nature of the language.
Finally, ask yourself Thai Script Or Romanization To Connect With Your Family?
Both approaches to learning how to spell Thai words are valuable, but finding the right balance will deepen your connection to both the language and your loved ones.
Through these small but meaningful steps, you’ll build bridges connecting you with your culture and bringing you closer to the people who matter most.
Master Your Thai Writing Skills Now, Powered By Ling!
Reconnecting with your family and honoring your roots through language is empowering.
Learning to spell Thai words bridges the communication gap and preserves the traditions and memories connecting you to your heritage.
This blog has shared key pointers on how to spell Thai words and strengthen your family bonds.
Learn Thai language with Ling and dive deeper into your cultural identity.
With Ling’s Writing Practice and Tracing Method, you’ll practice the strokes, build muscle memory, and become more efficient in writing Thai—helping you communicate with your loved ones meaningfully.
