Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| อยาก | yàak | /jaːk̚˨˩/ |
| ต้องการ | dtɔ̂ng-gaan | /tɔŋ˥˩.kaːn˧/ |
| เอา | ao | /ʔaw˧/ |
The term for 'want' varies based on the object of your desire. Use อยาก when you want to perform an action, such as eating or going somewhere. If you want a specific physical object like a book or water, use เอา instead. For a more formal way to express desire or requirement, use ต้องการ.
Which one should you use?
The forms are distinguished by what follows them: อยาก is used when you want to do something (followed by a verb), whereas เอา is used when you want to take or have a physical object. ต้องการ is a formal alternative often used to express needing or requiring something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word อยาก functions as an auxiliary verb meaning 'want to' and must be followed by another verb.
How do you pronounce it?
yàak (pronounced /jaːk̚˨˩/)
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using อยาก directly before a noun to express wanting an object. If you want a specific item, use เอา instead.
Did you know?
- The common word for 'want to' do something, อยาก, actually shares an ancient root with the concept of being 'hungry'.
- In very casual settings, using เอา to express wanting an object can sound demanding or blunt if not paired with polite particles.
- Because เอา stems from the concept of 'taking', using it can sound quite direct or assertive depending on your tone.
Examples in context
- ฉันอยากไปI want to go.This sentence shows how to use อยาก to express a desire to go.Tatoeba #8692159 by pastelite, translation #1977717 by Spamster
- ฉันอยากกินI want to eat.This sentence demonstrates using อยาก with a verb meaning to eat.Tatoeba #8670348 by pastelite, translation #1356939 by sacredceltic
- เราอยากรู้We want to know.This sentence illustrates the use of อยาก to express a desire to know.Tatoeba #8719793 by pastelite, translation #2011326 by CK
- ฉันอยากได้กาแฟหนึ่งแก้วค่ะI want to have a cup of coffee, please
- อยากได้น้ำผลไม้หน่อยมั้ย?Do you want to have some fruit juice?
- อยากได้อะไร?What do you want to have?
- 140 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to do on the weekend.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitกนกวรรณอยากไปเดินห้างไหมKanokwan yak pai doen hang maiKanokwan, do you want to go to the mall?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanฉันอยากไปซื้อเสื้อผ้าค่ะchan yak pai sue suea-pha khaI want to go buy some clothes.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitงั้นเราไปกันเลยไหมngan rao pai kan loei maiThen shall we go now?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanไปค่ะ ชลสิทธิ์pai kha, ChonlasitLet's go, Chonlasit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “want” translations and entries อยาก, ต้องการ, เอา, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ต้องการ, อยาก, เอา, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
