มี
mii/miː˧/
The Thai word for 'have' is มี (mii).
มี is used to express possession, such as owning an object or having a specific attribute. It is also used to express existence, meaning 'there is' or 'there are'.
Meaning: to possess (verb)
Which one should you use?
While มี indicates possession, it can also mean 'to exist'. To avoid confusion between possession and location, use มี for 'to have' and อยู่ to indicate that something is located or situated at a place. To emphasize that something is currently possessed or present, you can use the construction มี…อยู่.
How does it change in a sentence?
The construction มี…อยู่ is used to emphasize that something is currently possessed or is present.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is mii.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use มี to mean 'to be' when describing physical states or feelings (for example, saying 'I am hungry'). In Thai, these states use different verbs entirely.
Did you know?
- In Thai, you cannot use มี to say you 'have' a cold or 'have' a headache, as these are treated as states of being rather than possessions.
- The word มี is part of a vast family of closely related words used across Southeast Asia, appearing in Lao, Shan, and Zhuang languages.
- In Thai, you cannot use มี to say 'I have hunger' or 'I am hungry'. Instead of a verb of possession, you must use a specific state verb for each physical sensation.
Examples in context
- นกมีปีกBirds have wings.This sentence shows how to use มี to describe an animal possessing a physical attribute.Tatoeba #8703079 by pastelite, translation #1476885 by weihaiping
- ฉันมีม้าI have a horse.This sentence demonstrates using มี to express owning an animal.Tatoeba #8722694 by pastelite, translation #3720011 by CK
- ฉันมีเวลาI have time.This sentence illustrates using มี to express having a non-physical concept like time.Tatoeba #4558382 by reminiz, translation #2245901 by CK
- ฉันมีหมาสองตัวI have two dogs.
- เขามีระเบียงใหญ่He/She has a large balcony.
- เรามีการประชุมวันพุธWe have a meeting on Wednesday.
- พวกเขามีการสนับสนุนกันThey have mutual support.
- มีเพื่อนมาที่บ้านI have friends coming to my house.
- 152 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about office supplies in a workspace.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanคุณมีปากกาไหมคะkhun mi pak-ka mai khaDo you have a pen?
- วิทวัส Witthawatผมมีครับphom mi khrapI have one.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณมากค่ะkhop khun mak khaThank you very much.
- วิทวัส Witthawatไม่เป็นไรครับmai pen rai khrapYou're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “have” translations and entries มี, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries มี, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
