Thai 5 tones: mid, low, falling, high, rising
I can recognize and produce Thai tones.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
ไม่เป็นไรครับ
Never mind.
ร้านอาหารใหม่อร่อยมาก
The new restaurant is very delicious.
อร่อยไหมครับ?
Is it delicious?
สวัสดีครับ สบายดีไหมครับ?
Hello! How are you?
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Thai is a tonal language. The same syllable with a different tone has a completely different meaning. This is the #1 challenge for European learners!
| Tone | Mark | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid | — | Flat, neutral pitch | กา (gaa) = crow |
| Low | ่ | Starts low, stays low | ก่า (gàa) |
| Falling | ้ | Starts high, drops down | ก้า (gâa) = to step over |
| High | ๊ | Starts high, stays high | ก๊า (gáa) |
| Rising | ๋ | Dips low then rises | ก๋า (gǎa) |
ไม่ (mâi, falling) = not | ใหม่ (mài, low) = new | ไหม (mǎi, rising) = question particle
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesWrong tones changing meaning completely (ไม่ vs ใหม่ vs ไหม). Flat intonation from European languages. Not hearing tone differences.
Wrong tone changing meaning
Listen to native audio, practice ไม่/ใหม่/ไหม triple daily.
Speaking Thai with flat European intonation
Exaggerate tones at first — better to overdo than underdo.
ไม่เป็นไรครับ
Never mind.
ไม่ (mâi) has FALLING tone = 'not'. This is the most common Thai word!
ร้านอาหารใหม่อร่อยมาก
The new restaurant is very delicious.
ใหม่ (mài) has LOW tone = 'new'. Different tone from ไม่ (not)!
อร่อยไหมครับ?
Is it delicious?
ไหม (mǎi) has RISING tone = yes/no question particle. Third meaning of 'mai'!
สวัสดีครับ สบายดีไหมครับ?
Hello! How are you?
สวัสดี (sà-wàt-dee) has specific tones: low-falling-mid. Listen carefully!
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
A1 Module 1: Thai greetings, script, and first sentences