ได้
dâai/daːj˥˩/
In Thai, 'can' is expressed using ได้ (dâai). Wiktionary also lists สามารถ (sǎa-mâat) and เป็น (bpen).
Meaning: to be able to, to know how to (verb)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ได้ | dâai | /daːj˥˩/ |
| สามารถ | sǎa-mâat | /saː˩˩˦.maːt̚˥˩/ |
| เป็น | bpen | /pen˧/ |
The phrase is used to express that someone is able to perform an action or possesses the ability to do something.
Which one should you use?
While ได้ is the common way to say 'can', สามารถ is a more formal version often used in written or official contexts. Additionally, เป็น is used specifically to express the ability to do something that requires a learned skill, such as speaking a language or swimming.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing ability, the word ได้ is typically placed after the main verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/daːj˥˩/
When do people say it?
Adding the particle ครับ after a statement is a way for males to show respect.
Did you know?
- Historians suggest that the use of ได้ at the end of a sentence to mean 'can' may have been influenced by the Middle Chinese word '得'.
- Because เป็น literally means 'to be', using it to mean 'can' is a way of saying you 'are' a person who possesses that specific skill.
- In casual speech, ได้ can be used as a standalone one-word reply to grant permission, effectively meaning 'Yes, you may'.
Examples in context
- ฉันบินได้I can fly.This sentence shows how to express the ability to fly using ได้.Tatoeba #8717371 by pastelite, translation #774825 by marloncori
- เธอมาได้ก็มาIf you can come, just come.This sentence uses ได้ in a conditional context regarding coming.Tatoeba #4558472 by reminiz, translation #7038834 by coregame
- ฉันขี่ม้าได้I can ride a horse.This sentence uses ได้ to express the ability to ride a horse.Tatoeba #8679138 by pastelite, translation #259905 by CK
- ฉันสามารถพูดภาษาไทยได้I can speak Thai.
- เขาสามารถทำงานออนไลน์ได้He/She can work online.
- มันเป็นไปได้ที่ฉันจะมาพบคุณIt is possible for me to come and see you.
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cooking class, Teerapat asks Kanokwan about her skills.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatกนกวรรณทำอาหารไทยได้ไหมKanokwan tham a-han thai dai maiCan Kanokwan cook Thai food?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanฉันทำได้นิดหน่อยค่ะchan tham dai nit noi khaI can cook a little bit.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatคุณทำผัดไทยได้ไหมครับkhun tham phat thai dai mai khrapCan you make Pad Thai?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanได้ค่ะ ฉันทำเป็นค่ะdai kha chan tham pen khaYes, I can. I know how to do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “can” translations and entries ได้, สามารถ, เป็น, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries สามารถ, เป็น, ได้, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
