ที่ไหน
tîi-nǎi/tʰiː˥˩.naj˩˩˦/
The English word 'where' is translated into Thai as ที่ไหน (tîi-nǎi).
ที่ไหน is used to ask at or in what place. In Thai, ที่ไหน is typically placed at the end of the sentence or clause, whereas in English 'where' often starts the sentence.
Meaning: at or in what place (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of ที่ (tîi), meaning 'at/place' and ไหน (nǎi), meaning 'which'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding บ้าง (bâang) after ที่ไหน changes the meaning from asking for a single location to asking for multiple locations or a list of places.
How do you pronounce it?
The two-syllable word is pronounced tîi-nǎi.
Did you know?
- In Thai, you can say ไปไหน (pai nai) to mean 'Where are you going?', but it is also a very common, polite way to say 'How are you?' when greeting an acquaintance.
- In Thai songs and poetry, the word ใด (dai) is frequently used instead of ไหน (nǎi) to mean 'wherever' or 'which', giving the expression a much more romantic or formal feel.
- In casual speech, Thai speakers often omit the first word ที่ and simply say ไหน to ask 'where' or 'which one'.
Examples in context
- ที่ไหน?Where?Tatoeba #8675940 by pastelite, translation #4606511 by hito
- คุณอยู่ที่ไหน?Where are you?Tatoeba #7878423 by pastelite, translation #2168 by CK
- คุณเกิดที่ไหน?Where were you born?Tatoeba #8675782 by pastelite, translation #687674 by lukaszpp
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a shopping mall, looking for a specific store.
- ณิชา Nichaธีรภัทร ร้านหนังสืออยู่ที่ไหนคะ?theerapat ran nang-sue yu thi nai kha?Theerapat, where is the bookstore?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatอยู่ตรงนั้นครับ ณิชาyu trong nan khrap nichaIt is right over there, Nicha.
- ณิชา Nichaขอบคุณมากค่ะkhop khun mak khaThank you very much.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatไม่เป็นไรครับmai pen rai khrapYou're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “where” translations and entries ที่ไหน, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
