คือ
kʉʉ/kʰɯː˧/
The English phrase "is" can be translated into Thai as คือ (kʉʉ).
Use คือ when the sentence structure follows an "A is B" pattern, where B provides a definition or a specific identity for A.
Which one should you use?
The word คือ is used when "is" equates two things or defines something. In contrast, the word เป็น is used to describe a state or a role.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word คือ does not change based on the subject's number, person or tense.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [kʉʉ].
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use คือ to describe qualities, such as saying something "is tall". In Thai, adjectives are used directly without a verb like คือ.
Did you know?
- The word คือ is shared across a wide linguistic family, appearing as ຄື in Lao and គឺ in Khmer.
- Using คือ to describe a person's mood, such as 'He is happy', is a common error. To a native ear, it sounds as though you are trying to provide a dictionary definition of the person itself.
- In many Thai dialects, such as Isan or Northern Thai, a version of this word is used that is almost identical to the standard Central Thai คือ, reflecting a shared Tai-Kadai heritage.
Examples in context
- นี่คืออะไร?What is this?Tatoeba #7878504 by pastelite, translation #392210 by sysko
- มันคืออะไร?What is it?Tatoeba #7878987 by pastelite, translation #42849 by brauliobezerra
- รักคืออะไร?What is love?Tatoeba #8681601 by pastelite, translation #515085 by tamsanh
- เขาเป็นครูHe is a teacher.
- เขาเป็นคนสวยShe is a beautiful person.
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chonlasit and Sirin are talking about a new project at work.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitเป้าหมายของงานนี้คืออะไร?pao mai khong ngan ni khue arai?What is the goal of this project?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinคือการเพิ่มยอดขายค่ะkhue kan phoem yot khai khaIt is to increase sales.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitแล้วปัญหาหลักคืออะไร?laew pan ha lak khue arai?And what is the main problem?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinคือเรามีงบประมาณจำกัดค่ะkhue rao mi ngop pra man jam kat khaIt is that we have a limited budget.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry คือ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries คือ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
