Welcome to this comprehensive guide on how to say “million” in Thai. Whether you’re travelling to Thailand, interested in learning the Thai language, or simply curious about different ways to express a million, this guide will provide you with all the information you need. In Thai, there are several formal and informal ways to denote the concept of “million.” Let’s explore them together!
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Formal Ways to Say “Million”
When it comes to formal Thai, you’ll encounter some specific vocabulary and numerical expressions. Below are the most common formal ways to say “million” in Thai:
1. หนึ่งล้าน (nueng laan)
The most straightforward and widely used way to say “million” in Thai is หนึ่งล้าน (nueng laan). It’s the equivalent of “one million” in English. This formal expression is employed in various settings, including official documents, news reports, and academic contexts.
Example: ประชากรของเมืองนี้มี หนึ่งล้านคน (pra-cha-gon kong muang nee mee nueng laan khon). The population of this city is one million people.
2. ล้าน (laan)
For larger numbers, such as “two million,” Thai employs a combination of the number and the word ล้าน (laan), meaning “million.” Here are a few examples:
- สองล้าน (saawng laan) – Two million
- สามล้าน (saam laan) – Three million
- สี่ล้าน (see laan) – Four million
3. ล้าน (laan) + Numbers
To express larger numbers, you can combine numbers with ล้าน (laan). Here’s an example:
Example: เขามีเงิน ห้าพันล้านบาท (khao mee ngern haa pun laan baht). He has five thousand million baht. (equivalent to five billion baht in English)
Informal Ways to Say “Million”
Thai language also has informal ways to express the concept of “million.” These expressions are commonly used in day-to-day conversations and offer a more relaxed tone. Let’s look at a few:
1. แสน (saen)
แสน (saen) translates to “hundred thousand” in English, but informally, it’s often used to imply a large, rounded number like “a million.”
Example: แฟนฉันได้ชิงเงินเดือนเพิ่มเป็น แสน (faen chan dai ching ngern duean phen pen saen). My partner received a salary increase of a million baht.
2. บาทล้าน (baht laan)
In an informal context, Thai speakers often use บาทล้าน (baht laan) to convey the concept of “million baht” or “one million baht.” This phrase is particularly used when discussing money or prices in everyday situations.
Example: คอมพิวเตอร์นี้ราคาหนึ่งล้านบาท (komp-yu-ter nee raa-kah neung laan baht). This computer costs one million baht.
Regional Variations
While the formal and informal expressions mentioned above are widely understood throughout Thailand, it’s essential to note that there may be minor regional variations across different provinces or dialects. However, these variations hardly affect communication between individuals.
Now that you have a comprehensive overview of how to say “million” in Thai, whether in formal or informal settings, you’ll feel more confident expressing these numerical concepts while communicating with Thai speakers. Keep in mind that practice is key when learning any language, so don’t hesitate to apply these phrases in real-life situations or through language exchange with native speakers. Happy learning!
