Word Study

Point 1. Omission of the number-word. Quite frequently you will hear an example of a classifier which is not preceded by a number-word, as in the following sentences:

In all examples of this sort, the word nf@@N óne' has been omitted, and since no other number-word is ever omitted, it is always clear that the quantity meant is 'one'.

Point2. A new number-word. In the Basic Sentences of this unit there is a new number-word, baaN 'some.'It behaves just like other number-words and is therefore always followed by a classifier, as in,

The word baaN also occurs in a number of important phrases in which it does not need to be preceded by a noun, e.g.,

Examples of these phrases in sentences are:

Point 3. The word thu@k. This word is used much like our English word 'every,' as is readily seen in phrases like the following:

In each of the phrases above thuk is followed by a classifier and this makes it appear that thu@k should be considered a number-word like baaN (Point 2 above). However, thu@k also has another kind of use, as in

Since thu@k can, as in the example just given, be followed by a number-word, it is therefore not to be considered a number-word itself. Instead, examples in which the number-word is omitted after thu@k are like those already discussed in Point 1 (Omission of the number-word) above.

One other important point about the use of phrases containing thu@k is illustrated in the two sentences below:

In the first example above the phrase containing thuk is used without a preceding noun, while in the second example it is used with a preceding noun. When such phrases are used with nouns, they must, of course, contain the classifier which is properly used with the given noun.

Point 4. The word sii. This word is placed at the end of a sentence (followed only by a polite word). It has the force of a request or mild command and is used in urging someone to do something. It also occurs in the variant form si@? or, sometimes, si$? . Examples:

Point 5. The use of su$an. The word su$an means 'part' or 'on the part of.' In the Basic Sentences of this unit you have the word in the expression su$an pho&m 'for my part, as for me' (literally, 'on the part of me'). Besides its use in this expression it occurs with other pronouns and also with nouns. Examples:

    These expressions containing su$an are usually found in sentences where a contrast is being made, e.g., nO@ONchaay pho&m chO^Op na^ana&aw, tE$E su$an pho&m chO^Op na^arO@On ma^ak kwa$a. 'My younger brother likes winter, but for my part [I] like summer better.'

Point 6. The words baaN and ba^aN. Both of these words are usually translated 'some' in English, but their use and meaning are not quite the same, as can be seen in the following examples:

The word baaN is a number-word (see Point 2 above) and must therefore always be followed by a classifier; its meaning, in more precise terms is 'some' in the sense of 'certain.' The word ba^aN, however, is never used with a classifier and its meaning, in more precise terms, is 'some of it, some of them, to some extent.'

Point 7. The words na&aw and yen. Both of these words are translated 'to be cold' in English but they are generally employed in different situations, as is illustrated in the following sentences:

Thus na&aw expresses the idea of feeling cold (personal sensation) and is used of the inner sensation of cold as undergone by living things. The word yen, on the other hand, is used of all non-living things, including the parts of the body (as in the second example above). Both words are used when speaking of the weather.

Point 8. The words phra@?aathi@t and dE$Et. Strictly speaking, phra@?aathit means 'the sun'and dE$Et means 'sunshine.' However, in English we often say 'sun' when what we are really talking about is 'sunshine.' Therefore to use the two Thai words properly, you must consider whether you mean the sun or sunshine. If you memorize the following common expressions, you will have little difficulty with the words:

Point 9. Some new classifiers.

a. khan. This classifier is used for umbrellas and for certain other words you have not yet had (spoons, forks, and most vehicles). Examples with ro^m úmbrella' are:

b. kO^On. This classifier is used for clouds and for other things having the form of a lump, e.g., lumps of sugar, cakes of soap, stones, and the like. Examples:

Point 10. Some special phrases.

Point 11. Some compounds.