Thailand, known for its vibrant culture, delicious food, and beautiful landscapes, has also become a thriving hub for video game enthusiasts. As the popularity of video games rapidly increases in the country, it’s essential to understand some commonly used Thai words for video games. In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating world of video games in Thailand and introduce you to key Thai words that will enhance your gaming experience.
What Is “Gaming” In Thai?
In Thai, the word for “gaming” is “เกม” (pronounced as “game”). This term directly translates to “game” in English. However, there are also some synonyms and related terms that are commonly used to refer to the concept of gaming in Thai:
- เกมส์ (pronounced as “game”): This term is an alternative pronunciation of “เกม” and is commonly used interchangeably.
- เกมคอมพิวเตอร์ (pronounced as “game-kom-piu-ta”): This term specifically refers to computer games or games played on a personal computer (‘คอมพิวเตอร์’ means computer).
- เล่นเกม (pronounced as “len-game”): This phrase translates to “play games” in English and is often used to describe the action of engaging in gaming activities.
- นักเล่นเกม (pronounced as “nak-len-game”): This phrase translates to “game player” or “gamer” and is used to refer to individuals who actively participate in gaming.
These terms and phrases are commonly used in Thai to discuss and describe the world of gaming. Whether you’re talking about playing console games, online games, or mobile games, these words will help you navigate the Thai gaming community and communicate effectively about your gaming experiences.
Types Of Video Games In Thai
When discussing different types of video games in Thai, here are some common terms you can use:
| English | Thai Script | Pronunciation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Action Game | เกมแอ็คชั่น (game-aeck-chan) | game-aeck-chan | Games focused on fast-paced action and combat. |
| Adventure Game | เกมผจญภัย (game-pa-jun-pai) | game-pa-jun-pai | Games involving exploration, puzzles, and quests. |
| Shooting Game | เกมยิง (game-ying) | game-ying | Games involving shooting with firearms. |
| Horror Game | เกมสยองขวัญ (game-sa-yong-kwan) | game-sa-yong-kwan | Games designed to evoke fear and suspense. |
| Drama Game | เกมดราม่า (game-drama) | game-drama | Narrative-driven games focusing on storytelling. |
| Sports Game | เกมกีฬา (game-kee-la) | game-kee-la | Games simulating various sports activities. |
| Casual Game | เกมกวนๆ (game-guan-guan) | game-guan-guan | Simple, easy-to-play games for short sessions. |
| Shooter Game | เกมยิงปืน (game-ying-puen) | game-ying-puen | Games focusing on shooting with firearms. |
| Guess the Artist Game | เกมทายศิลปิน (game-tai-sin-lapin) | game-tai-sin-lapin | Games challenging players to identify artists. |
| City-building Game | เกมบ้านเมือง (game-ban-mueang) | game-ban-mueang | Games where players construct and manage cities. |
Common Thai Words For Video Games
Now, without any further ado, here’s a handy list of words in the Thai native language and their English equivalents to help you bridge any language barriers and enhance your gaming experience.
| English | Thai Script | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Game | เกม | Gehm |
| Playing | กำลังเล่น | Kảlạng Lèn |
| Character | อักขระ | Ah Ka Ra |
| Level | ระดับ | Ra Dap |
| Quest | ภารกิจ | P̣hā Ra Kic |
| Weapon | อาวุธ | A Wut |
| Skill | ทักษะ | Tak Sa |
| System | ระบบ | Ra Bot |
| Online | ออนไลน์ | Awn Lai |
| Fun | สนุก | Sa Nuk |
Thai Expressions While Gaming
Let’s level up your gaming chatter! Now that you’re armed with some new words, it’s time to weave them into your conversation with these common phrases. Whether you want to complain or express excitement, this list will help you convey your emotions!
“สุดยอด” (Sud Yon)
This phrase expresses excitement or approval, akin to “awesome” or “cool.” It’s commonly used in Thai gaming culture when something impressive or exciting happens in the game. For example, if you pull off an impressive kill or a difficult trick, your teammates might say, “Sud Yon!”
“ห่า” (Ha!)
This is an exclamation used when something surprising or frustrating happens, similar to “damn” or “what the heck!” It’s a casual phrase used to express surprise, frustration, or disbelief. For instance, if an unexpected event happens in the game or your opponent plays an unexpected move, you might say “Ha!”
“ฉันมีศัตรูที่ล้มลง” (Chan Mi Satr Thi lm lng)
This phrase translates to “I have a downed enemy” when you’ve knocked an opponent down. It’s useful to communicate to your teammates that you have eliminated a member of the enemy team, so they can adjust their strategy accordingly.
“ไปกันเถอะ” (Pai Kan Theu)
This phrase means “let’s go” and is used to rally teammates for action. It’s often used when it’s time to make a move or initiate an attack. For example, if your team is planning to launch an attack, you might say “Pai Kan Theu!” to encourage your teammates to move forward together.
“เริ่มเอียง” (Reim Xeiyng)
This phrase expresses frustration or anger about the game, similar to “getting tilted.” It’s used to describe the feeling of being upset or angry about the game’s outcome or events that have happened in the game. For instance, if you’re experiencing unprecedented setbacks, you might say “Reim Xeiyng” to express your annoyance.
“เกิดใหม่” (Keid Mai)
This phrase is a borrowed English term indicating respawning after elimination. When you die in the game and must wait to respawn, you might use this term to communicate to your teammates that you’ll be back in the game soon.
“รอสักครู่” (Rua Sak Khru)
This phrase means “just a moment” used for brief pauses or attending to something outside the game. It’s used when you need to pause the game momentarily to attend to something happening in the real world.
“โหมดยาก” (Mot Yak)
This phrase translates to “hard mode” indicating increased game difficulty. It’s used to describe the higher level of difficulty that you’ll experience when you play in a specific mode or against more challenging opponents.
“สวิตช์” (Switch)
This phrase means “switch” and is used when someone wants to change their character or weapon. For example, if your character isn’t working well in a specific scenario, you might say “Switch” to let your teammates know that you’re changing characters.
“รับบัฟ” (Rab Baf)
This is a Thai abbreviation for “receive buff” signifying readiness to receive a power-up or enhancement. It’s used to communicate that you’re ready to receive an in-game power-up or enhancement that your teammates could provide to you.
Learn Thai With Ling
As we learned in this post, these Thai gaming phrases provide an insight into the unique language and culture that surrounds gaming in Thailand. Learning and using these phrases can enhance your gaming experience, help you communicate effectively with Thai gamers, and immerse yourself in the vibrant gaming community.
If you want to delve deeper into the Thai language and learn more useful phrases, consider downloading the Ling app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Ling offers a comprehensive language learning experience, including lessons, vocabulary, and interactive exercises to help you master Thai and other languages. So, whether you’re a gaming enthusiast or simply interested in expanding your language skills, give Ling a try and discover the joy of communication in a new language.
