Language/Thai/Grammar/Subject-Pronouns

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Thai → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Pronouns → Subject Pronouns

Introduction

In the Thai language, subject pronouns play a crucial role in sentence construction and communication. Subject pronouns are used to indicate the person or thing performing an action in a sentence. By understanding and correctly using subject pronouns, you will be able to express yourself more effectively and clearly in Thai. In this lesson, we will explore the subject pronouns in Thai and learn how to use them in sentences. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of subject pronouns and be able to incorporate them into your Thai conversations. Let's dive in!

Basic Subject Pronouns

Thai subject pronouns are relatively straightforward and easy to learn. They are used to replace or refer to the subject of a sentence. Here are the basic subject pronouns in Thai:

Thai	Pronunciation	English Translation
ฉัน	chǎn	I, me
เธอ	thooe	you (singular)
เขา	khǎo	he, she, they
เรา	rao	we, us
พวกเรา	phuak-rao	we (inclusive)
เค้า	khao	he, she, they (informal)

Let's take a closer look at each subject pronoun and its usage:

ฉัน (chǎn)

The subject pronoun "ฉัน" is used to refer to oneself as the speaker. It is commonly used by both males and females in everyday conversations. Here are some examples:

• ฉันชื่อแอลิซาเบธ (chǎn chʉ̂ʉ-a-lí-saa-bèet) - I am Elizabeth.
• ฉันเป็นครู (chǎn bpen khruu) - I am a teacher.
• ฉันรักคุณ (chǎn rák khun) - I love you.

เธอ (thooe)

The subject pronoun "เธอ" is used to refer to the second person singular, which is "you" in English. It is commonly used when speaking to someone of equal or lower status, such as friends, family members, or acquaintances. Here are some examples:

• เธออายุเท่าไร (thooe aa-yúu thâo-rai) - How old are you?
• เธอมาจากไหน (thooe maa-jaak năi) - Where are you from?
• เธอช่วยฉันได้ไหม (thooe chûai chǎn dâi măi) - Can you help me?

เขา (khǎo)

The subject pronoun "เขา" is used to refer to the third person singular, which can mean "he," "she," or "they" depending on the context. It is commonly used to talk about someone who is not present or someone of higher status. Here are some examples:

• เขากำลังทำงาน (khǎo gam-lang tam-ngaan) - He/She is working.
• เขาชื่อว่าเจมส์ (khǎo chʉ̂ʉ-wâa jem) - His/Her name is James.
• เขาเป็นครอบครัว (khǎo bpen khrǎawp khrá-w) - They are a family.

เรา (rao)

The subject pronoun "เรา" is used to refer to the first person plural, which is "we" in English. It is commonly used when speaking collectively or inclusively. Here are some examples:

• เราไปเที่ยวชะอำ (rao bpai thîao chá-am) - We are going to Cha-am.
• เราชอบกินข้าวไทย (rao châwp gin kâao thai) - We like to eat Thai food.
• เราช่วยกัน (rao chûai gan) - We help each other.

พวกเรา (phuak-rao)

The subject pronoun "พวกเรา" is similar to "เรา" but emphasizes a more inclusive "we." It is commonly used when referring to a group that includes the speaker and the person or people being spoken to. Here are some examples:

• พวกเราเป็นเพื่อนกันมานานแล้ว (phuak-rao bpen pʉ̂ʉan gan maa-naan láew) - We have been friends for a long time.
• พวกเราต้องทำงานด้วยกัน (phuak-rao dtâwng tam-ngaan dûai gan) - We have to work together.
• พวกเราชอบเที่ยวไปด้วยกัน (phuak-rao châwp thîao bpai dûai gan) - We like to travel together.

เค้า (khao)

The subject pronoun "เค้า" is an informal form of "เขา" and can be used to refer to the third person singular, which can mean "he," "she," or "they" depending on the context. It is commonly used in casual conversations or when speaking to close friends or family members. Here are some examples:

• เค้าอยู่ที่ไหน (khao yùu thîi năi) - Where is he/she?
• เค้าชื่อว่าแบ็ค (khao chʉ̂ʉ-wâa bæ̂k) - His/Her name is Beck.
• เค้ากำลังเดินอยู่ (khao gam-lang dern yùu) - They are walking.

Using Subject Pronouns in Sentences

Now that we have learned the basic subject pronouns in Thai, let's see how they are used in sentences. In Thai, the subject pronoun is typically placed before the verb in a sentence. Here are some examples:

• ฉันเรียน (chǎn rian) - I study.
• เธออยู่ที่ไหน (thooe yùu thîi năi) - Where are you?
• เขากำลังทำงาน (khǎo gam-lang tam-ngaan) - He/She is working.
• เราชอบกินข้าวไทย (rao châwp gin kâao thai) - We like to eat Thai food.
• พวกเราเป็นเพื่อนกัน (phuak-rao bpen pʉ̂ʉan gan) - We are friends.
• เค้าชอบอ่านหนังสือ (khao châwp àan năng-sʉ̌ʉ) - He/She likes to read books.

It's important to note that subject pronouns are often omitted in Thai when the subject is clear from the context. This is especially true in casual conversations. For example, instead of saying "ฉันกำลังกินข้าว" (chǎn gam-lang gin kâao) meaning "I am eating rice," the pronoun "ฉัน" (chǎn) can be omitted and simply say "กำลังกินข้าว" (gam-lang gin kâao).

Cultural Insights

In Thai culture, the use of subject pronouns can vary depending on the region or social context. In formal situations, it is common to use the full subject pronouns to show respect and politeness. However, in informal settings or among close friends and family, it is more common to use the shorter and more casual forms of subject pronouns like "เค้า" (khao).

It's also worth noting that Thai language and culture have a unique way of expressing politeness and hierarchy through the use of pronouns. Different pronouns are used to address people of different social statuses or age groups. For example, the pronoun "เธอ" (thooe) is typically used to address someone of equal or lower status, while the pronoun "คุณ" (khun) is commonly used to address someone of higher status or in a formal setting.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Here are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of subject pronouns in Thai. Choose the appropriate subject pronoun to complete each sentence:

1. __ชื่อว่าอลิส (chǎn/chúe/khǎo/rao)__ - My name is Alice. 2. __มาจากไหน (chǎn/chúe/khǎo/rao)__ - Where are you from? 3. __ช่วยฉันได้ไหม (chǎn/chúe/khǎo/rao)__ - Can you help me? 4. __กำลังทำอะไรอยู่ (chǎn/chúe/khǎo/rao)__ - What are you doing? 5. __ชื่อว่าเจมส์ (chǎn/chúe/khǎo/rao)__ - His/Her name is James. 6. __เป็นครอบครัว (chǎn/chúe/khǎo/rao)__ - They are a family. 7. __ไปเที่ยวกัน (chǎn/chúe/khǎo/rao)__ - We are going on a trip. 8. __อยู่ที่ไหน (chǎn/chúe/khǎo/rao)__ - Where is he/she?

Solutions: 1. ฉัน (chǎn) 2. เธอ (thooe) 3. เธอ (thooe) 4. เธอ (thooe) 5. เขา (khǎo) 6. เขา (khǎo) 7. เรา (rao) 8. เค้า (khao)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned about subject pronouns in Thai and how to use them in sentences. Subject pronouns are essential for effective communication and will greatly enhance your ability to express yourself in Thai. Remember to practice using subject pronouns in different contexts to further solidify your understanding. Keep up the good work and continue to build your Thai language skills. Sawasdee krub! (Goodbye!)

Table of Contents - Thai Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Basic Greetings & Introductions

• Saying Hello
• Asking for Name and Nationality
• Introducing Family Members

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject and Verb
• Negative Sentences
• Questions
• Adjectives

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Numbers and Counting

• Numbers 1-10
• Numbers 11-100
• Ordinal Numbers
• Telephone Numbers

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Present Tense Verbs

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs
• Verb 'To Be'

  ---

Thai Culture and Customs

• Thai Greetings
• Thai Food and Dining Etiquette
• Thai Festivals

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Time Expressions
• Days of the Week and Months

  ---

Adverbs

• Adverbs of Time
• Adverbs of Frequency
• Adverbs of Manner
• Comparative and Superlative Adverbs

  ---

Colors

• Basic Colors
• Describing Colors
• Fruit and Vegetables

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Pronouns

• Subject Pronouns
• Object Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

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Thai Geography and Places

• Thai Provinces and Capitals
• Tourist Attractions in Thailand

  ---

Animals

• Common Animals
• Pet Animals
• Wild Animals

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Prepositions

• Basic Prepositions
• Prepositions of Movement

Sources

• Thai Pronouns
• Personal pronouns : basics | Learn Thai with Mod
• Thai language - Wikipedia

Other Lessons

• 0 to A1 Course
• Comparative and Superlative Adverbs
• Nouns
• How to Use Have
• Adverbs of Frequency
• Adverbs of Time
• Thai Classifiers
• Object Pronouns
• Plurals
• Basic Prepositions

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