นี่คืออะไร
nîi khuue à-rai
The English phrase "what is this?" is translated into Thai as นี่คืออะไร (nîi khuue à-rai).
This phrase is used to ask for the name or the nature of an object. It is specifically used for identifying things, rather than asking about the identity of a person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of นี่ (this), คือ (is/to be) and อะไร (what).
Which one should you use?
To ask about a specific item in a group or while shopping, you can use อันนี้คืออะไร, which adds the classifier อัน (an) before นี้ (nîi). If you are asking about the identity of a person instead of an object, you must replace อะไร (what) with ใคร (who) to say นี่คือใคร.
How do you pronounce it?
nîi khuue à-rai
Did you know?
- If you use นี่คืออะไร to ask about a person by mistake, it can be interpreted as calling the person an 'object' or a 'thing', which is an insult.
- If you use the word คือ (is) in this question, you are asking for a definition or a factual identity, whereas using เป็น (is/am/are) would imply asking about the state or status of the object.
- The classifier อัน (an) used in อันนี้คืออะไร is a generic term that can be used for almost any object if you do not know the specific category classifier.
Examples in context
- นี่คืออะไรครับnîi khʉʉ à-rai khrápWhat is this?
Example conversation
Pimol is looking at a gift on the table and asks Chonsit.
- พิมล Pimonนี่คืออะไรคะnîi khʉʉ à-rai kháWhat is this?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitมันคือของขวัญครับman khʉʉ khɔ̌ɔŋ khwǎn khrápIt is a gift.
- พิมล Pimonว้าว สวยมากเลยค่ะwáao sǔay mâak loei khâWow, it's very beautiful.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitขอบคุณครับkhɔ̀ɔp khun khrápThank you.
