Mastering Thai Numbers: A Beginner’s Guide with Easy-to-Follow Tables

The Thai language, known for its beautiful script and melodic tones, also features a unique numeric system. Learning Thai numbers is essential for anyone interested in understanding the culture, whether you’re planning to travel, live, or do business in Thailand.

In this blog, we’ll explore Thai numbers, starting from the basics and moving to larger numbers, with detailed tables to help you memorize them easily.

Thai numbers: From basic to thousands and beyond

Learning basic numbers and greetings, such as hello in Thai, is essential for anyone interested in connecting with Thai culture and people. Mastering these basics helps in everyday situations like shopping, dining, and traveling and shows respect and effort to engage in the local language.

Basic Thai Numbers (0-10)

The Thai number system starts with some unique symbols and words for each number from 0 to 10. Learning these is the foundation for understanding larger numbers.

Number	Thai Symbol	Thai Script	Pronunciation
0	๐	ศูนย์	suun
1	๑	หนึ่ง	neung
2	๒	สอง	song
3	๓	สาม	saam
4	๔	สี่	sii
5	๕	ห้า	haa
6	๖	หก	hok
7	๗	เจ็ด	jet
8	๘	แปด	bpaet
9	๙	เก้า	gao
10	๑๐	สิบ	sip

Numbers 11-20

Moving beyond the basics, numbers 11 to 20 in Thai are formed by combining “ten” (สิบ, sip) with the basic numbers 1 to 9. The number 11 is a slight exception where “ten” is combined with “one” (สิบเอ็ด, sip-et).

Number	Thai Script	Pronunciation
11	สิบเอ็ด	sip-et
12	สิบสอง	sip-song
13	สิบสาม	sip-saam
14	สิบสี่	sip-sii
15	สิบห้า	sip-haa
16	สิบหก	sip-hok
17	สิบเจ็ด	sip-jet
18	สิบแปด	sip-bpaet
19	สิบเก้า	sip-gao
20	ยี่สิบ	yii-sip

Tens and Beyond (21-100)

Once you understand numbers up to 20, forming numbers up to 100 is straightforward. Numbers are created by placing the tens place first, followed by the unit digit.

Number	Thai Script	Pronunciation
21	ยี่สิบเอ็ด	yii-sip-et
30	สามสิบ	saam-sip
40	สี่สิบ	sii-sip
50	ห้าสิบ	haa-sip
60	หกสิบ	hok-sip
70	เจ็ดสิบ	jet-sip
80	แปดสิบ	bpaet-sip
90	เก้าสิบ	gao-sip
100	หนึ่งร้อย	neung-roi

For example, to form 21 (ยี่สิบเอ็ด, yii-sip-et), you combine 20 (ยี่สิบ, yii-sip) and 1 (หนึ่ง, et).

Hundreds, Thousands, and Beyond

Thai numbers follow a logical pattern when forming larger numbers. “Hundred” is “ร้อย” (roi), “thousand” is “พัน” (phan), and “ten thousand” is “หมื่น” (muun).

Number	Thai Script	Pronunciation
100	หนึ่งร้อย	neung-roi
200	สองร้อย	song-roi
500	ห้าร้อย	haa-roi
1,000	หนึ่งพัน	neung-phan
2,000	สองพัน	song-phan
10,000	หนึ่งหมื่น	neung-muun
100,000	หนึ่งแสน	neung-saen

Decimal Numbers and Fractions

To express decimal numbers in Thai, the word “จุด” (jut) is used to indicate the decimal point. For fractions, the numerator is followed by the word “ส่วน” (suan) and then the denominator.

For example:

• 1.5 is หนึ่งจุดห้า (neung-jut-haa).
• 1/2 is หนึ่งส่วนสอง (neung-suan-song).

Tips for Learning Thai Numbers

• Practice Regularly: Regular practice is essential to learning Thai numbers. Try counting everyday objects around you in Thai.
• Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with Thai numbers on one side and the English translation on the other.
• Engage with Native Speakers: Practice speaking with Thai speakers to get comfortable with pronunciation and usage.
• Utilize Apps and Online Resources: There are many apps to learn the Thai language and online resources that can help reinforce your learning with interactive exercises.

Learning Thai numbers can be greatly enhanced through personalized language learning platforms like italki. This platform connects language learners with native-speaking teachers worldwide, offering a flexible and effective way to master Thai numbers and other language skills. Here’s how italki can be particularly beneficial for learning Thai numbers, along with a brief overview of its features and the enrollment process.

Why Use italki for Learning Thai Numbers?

One of the most challenging aspects of learning a new language is practicing with a native speaker who can provide real-time feedback and cultural context. With italki, you can learn Thai numbers directly from native speakers offering personalized guidance. This is especially helpful when learning numbers, as correct pronunciation and understanding nuances are crucial.

Teachers on italki can provide practical examples and exercises that reinforce your learning, helping you understand the numbers and how they are used in daily conversation, shopping, and even in cultural expressions.

italki Features for Effective Learning

italki offers a variety of features that make learning Thai numbers, and Thai in general, more accessible and engaging:

Personalized Lessons: You can choose from a wide range of online Thai tutors based on your learning goals, budget, and availability. These lessons are tailored to your specific needs, which means if you want to focus on mastering Thai numbers, your teacher can create a lesson plan that emphasizes this aspect.

Flexible Scheduling: With italki, you can schedule lessons at your convenience. This flexibility is ideal for learners with busy schedules, allowing them to learn at their own pace without the pressure of rigid class times.

Interactive Learning Tools: The platform provides various interactive tools, such as a virtual classroom with video, chat, and file-sharing capabilities. These tools make it easier to practice numbers and receive instant feedback, enhancing your ability to memorize and use Thai numbers correctly.

Cultural Insights: Learning with native speakers also gives you insights into the cultural contexts in which numbers are used. For example, understanding how to express numbers in different situations, like bargaining in markets or using polite forms of numbers, can greatly enrich your learning experience.

Enrollment Process on italki

Getting started with italki is straightforward:

Sign Up: Create an account on italki’s website or app by signing up with your email, Facebook, or Google account.

Choose a Teacher: Browse through a list of Thai teachers and tutors. You can read reviews, watch introductory videos, and compare prices to find the perfect match for your learning style and budget.

Book a Lesson: Once you’ve chosen a teacher, you can schedule a lesson by selecting a convenient time from the teacher’s available slots. Payment is secure and can be done through various methods, including credit cards and PayPal.

Start Learning: Join your lesson via italki’s platform, where you’ll connect with your teacher in a virtual classroom. You can start practicing Thai numbers immediately, using the interactive tools to enhance your learning experience.

Utilizing italki’s personalized and flexible approach, you can effectively learn numbers and other essential greetings such as hello, thank you, good luck or I love you in Thai etc. The ability to connect with native speakers and receive tailored feedback makes italki an excellent choice for anyone looking to learn Thai in a structured yet flexible environment.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the Thai numeric system, and how does it differ from the Western numeric system?

A: The Thai numeric system is a decimal-based system similar to the Western (Arabic) one but uses distinct symbols for numbers. For example, the number 1 is written as “๑” (หนึ่ง, neung) in Thai. Thai numbers are used in various contexts, such as formal documents, signs, and traditional texts. While modern Thais often use Western numerals in everyday contexts like digital devices and informal writing, learning the Thai numeric system is important for understanding the culture and history.

Q. How are Thai numbers used in everyday life?

A: Thai numbers are used in everyday life, such as telling time, handling money, measuring distances, and phone numbers. They are also seen in official documents, street signs, and calendars and in traditional contexts like temple inscriptions. Although Western numerals are often used in informal and digital contexts, understanding Thai numbers is essential for deeper cultural immersion and day-to-day interactions in Thailand.

Q: How can I learn to pronounce Thai numbers correctly?

A: To learn to pronounce Thai numbers correctly, it is helpful to listen to native speakers and practice regularly. Resources such as language learning apps, online tutorials, and platforms like italki can provide opportunities to hear and repeat Thai numbers under the guidance of native speakers. Consistent practice, including listening and speaking, is key to mastering pronunciation.

Conclusion

Understanding Thai numbers is an important step in mastering the Thai language. With practice and the right resources, you can quickly become proficient in using numbers in everyday conversation.

Book online Thai lessons at italki today and start mastering this incredible language from the comfort of your home.