ไม่
mâi/maj˥˩/
The Thai word for "not" is ไม่ (mâi).
ไม่ is used to express negation or to deny that something is true. It is primarily used alongside verbs and adjectives to form negative sentences.
Which one should you use?
While ไม่ is used to negate verbs and adjectives, it is not used to negate nouns or identities. To say something is "not" a person, place or thing, you must use the phrase ไม่ใช่ instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that an action did not happen in the past or that someone is unable to do something, ไม่ is often combined with ได้ to form ไม่ได้. Additionally, when negating a noun or a person's identity, such as saying "I am not a teacher," you must use ไม่ใช่ rather than just ไม่.
How do you pronounce it?
mâi
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that ไม่ may have historically evolved from a contraction involving the word ได้, which means 'to get' or 'to be able to'.
- When used in the phrase ไม่เป็นไร, the word ไม่ helps form a versatile expression that can mean 'no problem', 'it is okay' or 'never mind'.
- The word ไม่ is an essential part of the common phrase ไม่เอา, which literally means 'not take' but is used broadly to say 'I don't want it'.
Examples in context
- มันไม่พอIt's not enough.This sentence shows how to use ไม่ to negate an adjective.Tatoeba #8714349 by pastelite, translation #1855207 by Spamster
- ฉันไม่ว่างI'm not free.Tatoeba #8675834 by pastelite, translation #455915 by lukaszpp
- ฝนยังไม่ตกIt's not raining yet.This sentence shows how to use ไม่ to negate a verb.Tatoeba #8692332 by pastelite, translation #3402500 by CK
- 122 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- วิทวัส Witthawatณิชาอยากกินส้มตำไหมNicha yak kin som tam maiNicha, do you want to eat papaya salad?
- ณิชา Nichaไม่ อยากกินก๋วยเตี๋ยวมากกว่าMai yak kin kuay tiao mak kwaNo, I want to eat noodles instead.
- วิทวัส Witthawatร้านนั้นไม่เปิดวันนี้Ran nan mai poet wan niThat shop is not open today.
- ณิชา Nichaจริงเหรอ เสียดายจังChing ro sia dai changReally? That's too bad.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ไม่, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ไม่, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
