เก้าอี้
gâo-îi/kaw˥˩.ʔiː˥˩/
The English word "chair" is translated into Thai as เก้าอี้ (gâo-îi). Wiktionary also lists ตั่ง (dtàng).
Meaning: furniture (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| เก้าอี้ | gâo-îi | /kaw˥˩.ʔiː˥˩/ |
| ตั่ง | dtàng | /taŋ˨˩/ |
The word เก้าอี้ is the general term used for any type of chair.
Which one should you use?
While เก้าอี้ is the standard term for a chair, ตั่ง refers specifically to a traditional, low wooden stool or platform used for sitting.
How do you pronounce it?
The two-syllable word gâo-îi is pronounced /kaw˥˩.ʔiː˥˩/.
Did you know?
- Even the Ahom language of Assam and the Zhuang language have words for stool that are related to the Thai ตั่ง.
- The word เก้าอี้ can be used metaphorically in Thai politics and business to refer to a position or a 'seat' of power.
- In traditional Thai culture, sitting on the floor was common, so the specific word ตั่ง describes a platform that keeps the sitter slightly elevated.
Examples in context
- ผมตกจากเก้าอี้I fell off the chair.This sentence shows how to use เก้าอี้ when talking about falling.Tatoeba #10173746 by Somsak, translation #5958201 by CK
- เก้าอี้ตัวนี้นั่งสบายจังThis is a comfortable chair.This sentence describes the comfort of a เก้าอี้.Tatoeba #4558461 by reminiz, translation #243639 by mamat
- วางหนังสือนั่นไว้บนเก้าอี้Put that book on the chair.This sentence demonstrates placing an object on a เก้าอี้.Tatoeba #10143930 by Somsak, translation #7304694 by MessDjaaf
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nicha and Witthat are in a furniture shop.
- ณิชา Nichaเก้าอี้ตัวนี้ราคาเท่าไหร่คะgao-ee tua nee ra-ka tao rai kaHow much is this chair?
- วิทวัส Witthawatตัวนี้ห้าร้อยบาทครับtua nee ha roy baht krabThis one is five hundred baht.
- ณิชา Nichaขอลองนั่งเก้าอี้ตัวนี้หน่อยนะคะkor long nang gao-ee tua nee noi na kaMay I try sitting on this chair?
- วิทวัส Witthawatเชิญเลยครับchern loei krabPlease go ahead.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chair” translations and entries เก้าอี้, ตั่ง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ตั่ง, เก้าอี้, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
