พูดว่าอย่างไร
phut wa yangrai
The English phrase "how do you say" is translated into Thai as พูดว่าอย่างไร (phut wa yangrai).
You use this phrase to ask for the translation or the pronunciation of a specific word or phrase in another language. To ask how to say something specific, place the word or phrase you are curious about at the beginning of the sentence before พูดว่าอย่างไร.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of พูด (to speak), ว่า (that/to say) and อย่างไร (how).
How do you pronounce it?
phut wa yangrai
Did you know?
- Thai has different levels of 'how' based on social hierarchy, meaning you might use entirely different words for 'how' depending on whether you are speaking to a monk or a child.
- While พูด means 'to speak', Thai speakers often replace it with เรียกว่า (riak wa), which means 'to be called', when asking for the name of an object rather than a translation.
- In many Thai dialects, such as those in the North or Isan, the way to ask 'how' changes entirely, meaning the standard อย่างไร might actually mark you as a Bangkokian.
Examples in context
- คำนี้พูดว่าอย่างไรครับkham ni phut wa yang-rai khrapHow do you say this word?
- ภาษาอังกฤษคำนี้พูดว่าอย่างไรpha-sa ang-krit kham ni phut wa yang-raiHow do you say this word in English?
Example conversation
Chonlasit is asking Nicha for help with a Thai word.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitคำว่า 'ขอบคุณ' พูดว่าอย่างไรครับkham wa khop-khun phut wa yang-rai khrapHow do you say 'khop-khun'?
- ณิชา Nichaพูดว่า 'khop-khun' ค่ะphut wa khop-khun khaYou say 'khop-khun'.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitขอบคุณครับคุณณิชาkhop-khun khrap khun NichaThank you, Nicha.
- ณิชา Nichaยินดีค่ะyin-di khaYou're welcome.
