1. Sabai di mai? (how are you?)
I use this every hour, maybe every 30 minutes. When I’m at school it comes out of my mouth every couple minutes, they al most always respond “I’m good”. Similar to how “hows it going?” is used in the northwest, people say it in passing or as a hello. But it’s also my only look into how the person is doing. With my limited vocabulary this is sometimes as close as I get to a deep conversation. When a friends feeling bad, I can’t find the words (literally: I have a dictionary with me) to ask what the problem is or what happened. All I have is Sabai di Mai?
2. (gumlung) Tam alai u? (What are you doing?)
“Nang” (sitting), hmm, I wonder why everybody thinks this is such a clever answer. 9/10 times that’s the answer I get.
3. Blair wah alai? (What does that mean?)
In my search to learn the Thai language I’ve covered a lot of ground. I think I’ve read through Teach Yourself Thai about 4 times. I made my way through a little of a writing unit. The dictionary I have is almost torn apart; only a single strand of duct tape holds it together. But by far the most important thing I know (well maybe heew nam (thirsty) comes close) is Blair wah alai. With this phrase, my boundries for study aren’t all relying on a 6x3 cm piece of gray tape.
4. Joy mai bpen kon (Joy isn’t a person)
I now use descretion for the contacts I put in my phone. Ever since the kids saw the name “Joy” in my contacts, they all think she is my girlfriend. And I’m honestly a little tired of telling them about the laundry service near the Lotus hotel called “Joy Laundry”. I don’t think anyone named Joy even works there. This doesn’t stop them however.
5. Mee pasah Ungrit wan ni/proong ni? (Do you have English today/tomorrow?)
This is always followed with the question Yak Leeun alai? (what do you want to study?). In my constant effort to become a better teacher I try to get a little help here and there. I try to get heads up who I should be prepared for each day. Its just too bad this is usually answered Mai loo ( I don’t know), Alai gor dai (anything).
6. Bai teeow (go wandering/touring)
I walk down the open street, someone calls out “bai nai?” (Where you going?), and I reply. P’Tukta asks me “bai nai?” as I finish cleaning my plate, and I reply. Hopping on my motorcycle and riding out of school, kids walk by “bai nai?”, and I reply. I pulled into Nabiya, crossing the bridge and up a slight hill. A friend sees me and shouts “bai nai?”, and I reply.
I use this every hour, maybe every 30 minutes. When I’m at school it comes out of my mouth every couple minutes, they al most always respond “I’m good”. Similar to how “hows it going?” is used in the northwest, people say it in passing or as a hello. But it’s also my only look into how the person is doing. With my limited vocabulary this is sometimes as close as I get to a deep conversation. When a friends feeling bad, I can’t find the words (literally: I have a dictionary with me) to ask what the problem is or what happened. All I have is Sabai di Mai?
2. (gumlung) Tam alai u? (What are you doing?)
“Nang” (sitting), hmm, I wonder why everybody thinks this is such a clever answer. 9/10 times that’s the answer I get.
3. Blair wah alai? (What does that mean?)
In my search to learn the Thai language I’ve covered a lot of ground. I think I’ve read through Teach Yourself Thai about 4 times. I made my way through a little of a writing unit. The dictionary I have is almost torn apart; only a single strand of duct tape holds it together. But by far the most important thing I know (well maybe heew nam (thirsty) comes close) is Blair wah alai. With this phrase, my boundries for study aren’t all relying on a 6x3 cm piece of gray tape.
4. Joy mai bpen kon (Joy isn’t a person)
I now use descretion for the contacts I put in my phone. Ever since the kids saw the name “Joy” in my contacts, they all think she is my girlfriend. And I’m honestly a little tired of telling them about the laundry service near the Lotus hotel called “Joy Laundry”. I don’t think anyone named Joy even works there. This doesn’t stop them however.
5. Mee pasah Ungrit wan ni/proong ni? (Do you have English today/tomorrow?)
This is always followed with the question Yak Leeun alai? (what do you want to study?). In my constant effort to become a better teacher I try to get a little help here and there. I try to get heads up who I should be prepared for each day. Its just too bad this is usually answered Mai loo ( I don’t know), Alai gor dai (anything).
6. Bai teeow (go wandering/touring)
I walk down the open street, someone calls out “bai nai?” (Where you going?), and I reply. P’Tukta asks me “bai nai?” as I finish cleaning my plate, and I reply. Hopping on my motorcycle and riding out of school, kids walk by “bai nai?”, and I reply. I pulled into Nabiya, crossing the bridge and up a slight hill. A friend sees me and shouts “bai nai?”, and I reply.
No comments:
Post a Comment