ไป
bpai/paj˧/
The English phrase "go" is translated into Thai as ไป (bpai).
The primary way to express moving through space from one place to another is with ไป. Other related terms include เข้า for entering, ออก for exiting and แวะ for making a detour. In the context of transportation, the informal term ลง is used to mean "get off".
Meaning: to move through space (especially from one place to another) (verb)
Which one should you use?
A key distinction in Thai is the direction of movement: ไป indicates movement away from the speaker, whereas มา is used to indicate movement toward the speaker.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the verb ไป into the suggestion "Let's go", you can add กันเถอะ to the end of the word to form ไปกันเถอะ.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bpai. The IPA is /paj˧/.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, ไป is used to describe a state of being lost or gone, such as when referring to someone who has passed away.
- When telling someone to 'go away' in an angry tone, ไป is often paired with ไกลๆ to literally tell the person to go 'far far'.
- The word ไป is a cognate with the Lao word ໄປ, meaning the concept of 'going' is virtually identical across the Tai-Kadai language family.
Examples in context
- อย่าไปDon't go.This example is useful for a negative command using ไป.Tatoeba #8669189 by pastelite, translation #773587 by marloncori
- ไปไกล ๆGo away.This example shows how to use ไป to tell someone to move away.Tatoeba #7784344 by pastelite, translation #433491 by CK
- ฉันจะไปI'll go.This example demonstrates using ไป to express a future intention.Tatoeba #8669203 by pastelite, translation #1174876 by CK
- คุณจะไปไหนครับ/ค่ะWhere are you going, sir/ma'am?
- ไปตรงไหน?Where are you going?
- ไปเที่ยวทะเลสีฟ้ากันเถอะLet's go enjoy the azure sea together!
- ขึ้นรถเมล์ที่ทองหล่อเถอะGet on the bus at Thong Lo, come on!
- 100 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Teerapat and Kanokwan are planning their weekend trip.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatพรุ่งนี้เราจะไปไหนกันดี?phrung ni rao cha pai nai kan di?Where should we go tomorrow?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanไปทะเลกันไหมคะ?pai tha-le kan mai kha?Shall we go to the sea?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatไปได้ครับ ผมอยากไปพอดีpai dai khrap phom yak pai pho diWe can go, I actually want to go.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanงั้นเดี๋ยวฉันเตรียมของนะคะngan diao chan triam khong na khaThen I will prepare the things.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go” translations and entries ไป, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ไป, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
