How to Say "This Is" in Thai - How To Say Guide

นี่คือ

ni khue

The phrase 'this is' in Thai is translated as นี่คือ (ni khue).

The phrase is used to identify or define something. For example, you would use it to say 'This is food' or 'This is Japan'.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of นี่, which means 'this' and คือ, which means 'is/am/are' specifically for use in definitions or identities.

Use นี่คือ when you are defining what something is. Do not use it to describe states or professions.

In many casual contexts, the word นี่ can stand alone as the subject 'this' without needing a verb for 'is'.

ni khue

The word นี่ can be used as a particle at the start of a sentence to grab someone's attention, acting more like 'Hey' than 'this'.
To make นี่คือ a question like 'Is this…?', Thai speakers don't change the word order but add a particle like ไหม to the end of the sentence.
In Thai, the distinction between 'this' and 'that' is often determined by how far the object is from the speaker's body, a nuance that dictates whether you use นี่ or นั่น.

นี่คืออาหาร
This is food.
This sentence is useful for identifying food using นี่คือ.
Tatoeba #8692079 by pastelite, translation #438605 by CM
นี่คือดีวีดี
This is a DVD.
This sentence is useful for identifying a DVD using นี่คือ.
Tatoeba #8675789 by pastelite, translation #392212 by sysko
นี่คือญี่ปุ่น
This is Japan.
This sentence is useful for identifying Japan using นี่คือ.
Tatoeba #7878998 by pastelite, translation #55477 by CK
19 more sentences on Tatoeba

A man shows a photograph to a woman.

กนกวรรณ Kanokwan

นี่คือพี่ชายของฉัน
nîi khue phîi-chaai khǒong chǎn
This is my older brother.
ธีรภัทร Theeraphat

เขาน่ารักมากเลย
khǎo nâa-lák mâak loei
He is very cute.
กนกวรรณ Kanokwan

ใช่ค่ะ เขาใจดีมาก
châi khà, khǎo jai-dii mâak
Yes, he is very kind.
ธีรภัทร Theeraphat

ผมอยากรู้จักเขาครับ
phǒm yàak rúu-jàk khǎo khráp
I want to get to know him.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏