ไม่มีเงิน
mai mi ngoen
In Thai, "I have no money" is expressed as ไม่มีเงิน (mai mi ngoen).
ไม่มีเงิน is used to state that a person does not possess any money. In Thai, the subject is often omitted when the context is clear, so this phrase can mean "I have no money", "He has no money" or "There is no money".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of three parts: ไม่ (not) which negates the following verb, มี (to have) and เงิน (money).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To add a friendly and familiar tone, you can use na at the end of the phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is formed by combining the negation ไม่ (not) with the verb มี (to have) and the noun เงิน (money).
How do you pronounce it?
mai mi ngoen
Did you know?
- While ไม่มีเงิน is the literal way to say 'I have no money', Thai people often use the phrase ถังแตก meaning 'broken bucket' to describe being completely broke.
- The word for money, เงิน, also refers to 'silver' in a literal sense. Historically, silver was the primary medium of exchange before the use of modern currency, which is why the word carries this dual identity.
- In Thai culture, claiming ไม่มีเงิน is sometimes used as a negotiation tactic in markets to encourage a vendor to give a larger discount.
Examples in context
- ขอโทษครับ/ค่ะ ฉันไม่มีเงินเลยI really have no money
- ขอโทษนะ ฉันหมดตังI have no money
- ตอนนี้ฉันไม่มีเงินเลยton nii chan mai mii ngoen loeiRight now, I have no money at all.
- เขาไม่มีเงินซื้อรถใหม่khao mai mii ngoen sue rot maiHe has no money to buy a new car.
- ถ้าไม่มีเงินก็บอกนะtha mai mii ngoen ko bok naIf you have no money, just tell me.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their plans to go out to eat.
- พิมล Pimonธีรภัทร ไปกินข้าวเย็นกันไหม?Theeraphat pai kin khao yen kan mai?Theeraphat, do you want to go eat dinner?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatขอโทษนะ พิมล ตอนนี้ฉันไม่มีเงินkho thot na, Phimon, ton nii chan mai mii ngoenI'm sorry, Phimon, I have no money right now.
- พิมล Pimonไม่เป็นไร เดี๋ยวฉันเลี้ยงเองmai pen rai, diao chan liang engIt's okay, I'll treat you.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatขอบคุณมากนะkhop khun mak naThank you very much.
