Just for fun, I’ve added a category to my blog titled “Thai language”. In here I sometimes put some short items designed for the casual visitor to Thailand who’d like to have a few words or phrases in the local language to impress the girls with.
These items are short, and focused on simple, easy to learn-easy to remember language.
These items are NOT intended to assist people who know the language or live here full time. They are also NOT intended to teach anyone to speak or read Thai. If you want to learn the language, buy a book, a CD or take a class.
I’m simply trying to entertain, and provide some simple vocabulary that people can retain and use on their next trip to Thialand.
Today I want to talk about the words dai and godai.
First, I want to briefly introduce the word dai.
Dai = can
If I want to ask you if you can swim:
Khun waiy-naam dai mai krap?
(You swim can?)
dai = yes, I can
mai dai = no, I can’t
If I want to know if you can speak Thai:
Khun pood passaa Thai dai mai krap?
(You speak language Thai can?)
dai = yes, I can
mai dai = no, I can’t
If you offer to drive me home, and I want to assure you that I can walk home:
Pom deun dai krap.
(I walk can)
If you ask if I can loan you 500 baht, I can answer:
dai = yes, I can
dai mai = no, I can’t
GODAI
The word godai basically means “okay”. Its use in Thai is similar to the use of the word ‘okay’ in English.
The taxi driver sees a problem up ahead where I’ve asked to be dropped off. He suggests that he can drop me safely about 25 meters further up the street. I answer, “Godai krap.“
A merchant at an outdoor market offers to give me a 250 baht discount if I buy three silk scarves. I can signal my acceptance by answering, “Godai krap.”
But there is a particular grammatical usage of godai that has been a great help to me since I learned it. You can use godai in conjunction with question words to say “up to you”.
You friend asks you what you want to eat for lunch (the word for ‘what’ is arai).
You answer, “Arai godai“ The literal translation is “what okay” but the meaning is, “I’m happy to eat whatever you want”
Your wife asks you when you want to go to the party (the word for ‘when’ is meuarai)
You answer, “Meuarai godai“ (We can leave whenever you like)
One of the most useful ways to practice this grammar is with taxi drivers. I want to go to the BTS train station. I don’t care which train station, really… like the taxi driver I just want to avoid sitting in traffic for hours. I want him to take the route with the least traffic.
I tell him that I want to go to the BTS, and when he asks which station I reply, “Teenai godai“ (Anywhere is fine). teenai = where
Other phrases:
Yang-ngai godai = however you want
krai godai = with whomever you like; whichever you like
March 6, 2008 at 9:58 pm |
Sounds Welsh…. but I’ll give it a go
March 7, 2008 at 4:01 am |
There’s a more appropriate alternative to “go dai” when cutting a deal. If you’re haggling over the price of a item you’re more likely to hear “tok-long” used instead. It means “OK, it’s a deal!”
“Go dai” is perfectly understood and fine to use in bartering situations, and it seems to be increasingly used in Bangkok especially. But your use of “go dai” is spot on otherwise.
Btw, this ex-gf issue is getting a bit much. You’re complaining about her pestering you, but you’re hardly helping the situation by letting her stay over. And the fact that it’s “non sexual” is only making it worse because it’s fuelling her belief that you’re one seriously good catch rather than just another sex-crazed farang. If you must have her stay over then fuck her, pay her, and boot her out. That way the boundaries are drawn and she’ll know exactly where she stands. You’re lucky my blackberry’s batteries are running out.
March 7, 2008 at 6:46 am |
swampthing: you’re right. I never said I was handling it well.
March 7, 2008 at 11:29 am |
you’re not falling in love, i hope! The signs are disturbing
March 7, 2008 at 10:53 pm |
Falling in love??!! I don’t know what I wrote or what you guys are reading. This is the EX-girlfriend that I just got rid of. I shouldn’t let her stay at my place but I’m a soft touch. I fell asleep typing the blog that night so maybe I wrote something that didn’t make sense, but I one thing I can assure you is that I AIN’T falling in love!
March 8, 2008 at 6:23 am |
You’re starting to sound like those chicks who keep going back to their boyfriends in full knowledge they’re going to get bashed yet again. You know the type? They’re beyond rational thought. Now obviously I’m not saying this lady has a psychological hold over you to this degree. This is merely an example illustrating a point. As entertaining as it is for me to observe developments with your ex, it’s also becoming clear that you’re well on your way to losing the plot. I’ve been reading your blog for some time (since day one, I think). This chick is the only one so far that’s managed to crawl under your otherwise cold, calculating skin. Either you’re in love, and therefore completely incapable of reasoned logical thought, or this chick has some other type of weird psychological hold, and once again you’re therefore completely incapable of reasoned logical thought. And it will continue to be so for as long as you keep picking up the phone and letting her stay over. Her grip will tighten. Her power will grow. You will end up a mere shell of a man, shrivelled and pathetic….crawled up under your desk in the foetal position, rocking back and forth while sucking your thumb. Your blog will wither and die. This would not be in my interest because I will have to find another one. Do you hear me, Werewolf!?
March 11, 2008 at 4:41 pm |
it’s just struck me after nearly ten years of speaking Thai how much like “godai” sounds like “g’day” in a Northern Territory accent.