จะทำ
ja tham
The Thai phrase for "I will" is จะทำ (ja tham).
จะทำ is used to express a decision or a promise to perform an action in the future. In Thai, the subject "I" is often omitted when the context makes it clear who is performing the action, allowing จะทำ to stand alone as "I will (do it)".
Which one should you use?
To strengthen a promise and express that you "will definitely do it", you can add แน่นอน to the end of the phrase to form จะทำแน่นอน.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle จะ (ja) functions as a future tense marker and is placed immediately before the verb to indicate intent or a future action.
How do you pronounce it?
ja tham
Did you know?
- If you use จะทำ when you are not actually certain you can fulfill the promise, it can be perceived as a 'polite refusal' or a way to avoid saying 'no' directly.
- If you want to say you 'will' do something as a way of answering a command, you might simply say ครับ (khrap) or ค่ะ (kha) instead of using a verb at all. In many cases, the polite particle itself functions as an 'I will' or 'Understood'.
- In very formal or royal Thai, the word จะ is replaced by different markers to show respect to the monarchy or high-ranking officials.
Examples in context
- ผมจะทำเองครับphom cha tham eng khrapI will do it myself.
- ฉันจะทำตามสัญญาค่ะchan cha tham tam san-ya khaI will keep my promise.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a group project.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatสิรินทร์ งานชิ้นนี้ใครจะทำSirin ngan chin ni khrai cha thamSirin, who will do this piece of work?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinฉันจะทำเองค่ะ ธีรภัทรchan cha tham eng kha TeerapatI will do it myself, Teerapat.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatขอบคุณมากนะที่ช่วยkhop khun mak na thi chuayThank you very much for helping.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinไม่เป็นไรเลยค่ะmai pen rai loey khaIt is no problem at all.
