หรือ
rʉ̌ʉ/rɯː˩˩˦/
The Thai word for "or" is หรือ (rʉ̌ʉ).
หรือ is a conjunction used to connect two or more alternatives or possibilities. Additionally, when placed at the end of a sentence, it can function as a question particle to turn a statement into a yes/no question, similar to saying "right?" or "is it?" in English.
Which one should you use?
While หรือ is used to connect different options, the phrase หรือเปล่า is used specifically at the end of a sentence to ask "or not?" when you want to confirm a fact.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Central Thai, the most common way to say "or" is หรือ.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is rʉ̌ʉ.
Did you know?
- The phrase หรือเปล่า comes from หรือ meaning 'or' and เปล่า meaning 'empty' or 'void', literally asking if an alternative is 'empty'.
- In very formal or royal Thai, different terms may be used to express alternatives to avoid the commonality of หรือ.
- When used as a question particle at the end of a sentence, หรือ can signal surprise or disbelief, similar to saying 'Really?' or 'Are you sure?' in English.
Examples in context
- มันทำจากไม้หรือโลหะ?Is it made of wood or metal?This sentence shows how to use หรือ to connect two alternatives: wood or metal.Tatoeba #8722702 by pastelite, translation #42058 by CK
- ฉันจะหยุดสองหรือสามวันI'll take two or three days off.This sentence uses หรือ to connect two numbers: two or three.Tatoeba #8675884 by pastelite, translation #1229052 by CK
- ไม่มีใครเข้าหรือออกได้No one can get in or out.This sentence uses หรือ to connect two directions: in or out.Tatoeba #10736679 by Somsak, translation #2091170 by CK
- คุณอยากดื่มกาแฟ หรือ ชาไหมครับ?Do you want coffee or tea?
- คุณชอบดูหนังแอคชั่น หรือ หนังโรแมนติกมากกว่าครับ?Do you prefer action movies or romantic movies?
- เป็นหมา หรือ แมวเหรอครับ?Is it a dog or a cat?
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to drink at a cafe.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanคุณจะดื่มกาแฟหรือชาดีคะ?khun cha duem ka-fae rue cha di kha?Would you like to drink coffee or tea?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitผมขอเป็นชาเย็นครับphom kho pen cha yen khrapI'll have iced tea, please.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanรับขนมด้วยไหมคะ?rap kha-nom duai mai kha?Would you like some snacks too?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitไม่เป็นไรครับ ขอบคุณครับmai pen rai khrap khop khun khrapNo thanks, thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry หรือ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
