Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ใช่ | châi | /t͡ɕʰaj˥˩/ | |
| ถูก | tùuk | /tʰuːk̚˨˩/ | |
| ถูกต้อง | tùuk-dtɔ̂ng | /tʰuːk̚˨˩.tɔŋ˥˩/ | formal |
| อืม | ʉʉm | /ʔɯːm˧/ | informal |
The word ใช่ is used to indicate agreement or acceptance, specifically to confirm that a statement or identity is correct. It is important to note that in Thai, 'yes' is often expressed by repeating the verb used in the question rather than using a single universal word like 'yes'.
Which one should you use?
The form ใช่ is used to confirm that a statement or identity is correct, whereas ถูก is used to confirm that an action or a specific answer is right or accurate. While ใช่ confirms truth or identity, ถูก indicates that something is correct or right, often in the context of a fact or an answer.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ถูกต้อง is a more formal and emphatic way to say something is correct. Conversely, อืม is an informal, conversational way to say 'yes' or 'uh-huh', similar to 'yeah' in English.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is châi. The IPA is /tɕʰaj˥˩/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use ใช่ to mean 'I agree' in all contexts. However, it is specifically used to confirm that a previous statement is true.
Did you know?
- The formal word for 'correct', ถูกต้อง, is actually a tautology. It is formed by combining the word ถูก with ต้อง, both of which can mean 'to touch' or 'to hit'.
- In many Thai social interactions, a smile or a nod is used as a 'yes' response more frequently than the spoken word ใช่. In some contexts, a polite smile can signal agreement without saying a word.
- Because ใช่ only confirms a fact, Thai speakers often use the particle ครับ for men and ค่ะ for women to say 'yes' when accepting an invitation or agreeing to a request.
Examples in context
- ใช่ฉันรู้Yes, I know it.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ใช่ to confirm knowledge.Tatoeba #8679137 by pastelite, translation #433589 by CK
- ใช่Yes.This sentence shows a simple use of ใช่ as a standalone response.Tatoeba #8669273 by pastelite, translation #477086 by soweli_Elepanto
- เธอเป็นคนอเมริกันใช่ไหมคะ?Are you an American?
- ใช่ค่ะYes
- ใช่ เป็นอย่างนั้นเลยchai pen yang nan loeiYes, that is exactly right.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are confirming a restaurant reservation.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritเราจองโต๊ะที่ร้านอาหารไว้ใช่ไหมrao jong toh tee ran a-han wai chai maiWe made a reservation at the restaurant, right?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanใช่ ฉันจองไว้เมื่อวานนี้chai chan jong wai muea wan neeYes, I booked it yesterday.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritเราต้องไปถึงกี่โมงrao tong pai thueng gee mongWhat time do we need to be there?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanหกโมงเย็นค่ะhok mong yen khaAt six o'clock in the evening.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries ใช่, ถูก, ถูกต้อง, อืม, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ถูก, ถูกต้อง, ใช่, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
