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The syllables of the Thai language
 

A syllable is the smallest phonetic group in the natural flow of speech. It is a unit consisting of one or more successive sounds which can be expressed together. Unlike in English, where one syllable corresponds exactly to a speech syllable, there are also Thai syllables spoken bisyllabic. For Thai, it is therefore necessary to distinguish between writing and speech syllables. All examples on this page have only one written syllable, but may have two spoken syllables.

Thai syllables in principle always begin with an initial consonant IC. If a word is to start with a vowel sound, then the vowel is supported by an inaudible consonant. After the IC can follow vowels V and / or final consonant FC. There are also special characters S, i. e. for pitch control.

The following syllable types are possible:

  1. IC
  2. IC + V
  3. IC + V + S
  4. IC + V + FC
  5. IC + V + S + FC
  6. IC + FC
  7. IC + S + FC

Both IC and FC may consist of double consonants. If in the following reference is made, then they are refered to as DIC and DFC. On the features of double consonants, there is a separate article. Knowledge of their characteristics is important for understanding the following examples.

Type
Shortform
Example
Pronunciation
Meaning
Remarks
1.
IC
[gaw /\]
 subsequent  
[na /]
 from is used for example in names. The family name ณ อยุธยา means not only "from Ayutthaya", it is also a sign of royal descent.

I have deliberately refrained from in the first example AK + Z extra disclosed because it is only this one word.

 
Type
Shortform
Example
Pronunciation
Meaning
Remarks
2.
IC + V
[na /]
 part. (word added to the end of a sentence to soften it)  
[na: --]
 field  
[ngu: --]
 snake  
[bpai --]
 to go Even if the vowel is written first, the order is IC + V both for pronunciation and for the.type of syllable
[gaw \]
 island Although there three vowel characters are written, it is nevertheless only a single vowel.
DIC + V
[na: \/]
 bulky, bushy, heavy, thick Prefix HO HIP only influencing the pitch (false cluster)
[nu: \/]
 mouse Prefix HO HIP only influencing the pitch (false cluster)
[ya:k \]
 crave, desire, want, wish Prefix O ANG only influencing the pitch (false cluster)
บริ
[ba:w -- ri /]
 -- Exception handling for this prefix!

 
Type
Shortform
Example
Pronunciation
Meaning
Remarks
3.
IC + V + S
[na /\]
 part. (word added to the end of a sentence to soften it)  
[na: /\]
 probably  
DIC + V + S
[na: /\]
 face Prefix HO HIP only influencing the pitch (false cluster)
[gwa: \]
 more than DIC as true cluster (can be expressed together)
[khrai /\]
 want, wish True cluster. Vowel in front of DIC, S on top of the second consonant.
[ja: \]
 forbid Prefix O ANG only influencing the pitch (false cluster)
[sai /]
 then False cluster (see Double consonants II). The pitch sign is on top of the second consonant.

 
Type
Shortform
Example
Pronunciation
Meaning
Remarks
4.
IC + V + FC
[gap \]
 together with  
[ga:p \]
 spathe  
[ti:ang --]
 bed Vowel combinations are always regarded as a single vowel. Double consonants do not exist in Thai.
DIC + V + FC
[sa \ na:m \/]
 park In this case, a prefix consonant conditioned two-syllable pronunciation.
[cha \ li:ang\/]
 corridor, hall A prefix consonant conditioned two-syllable pronunciation. Vowel signs to be written in front of a consonant are in front of the DIC, the remaining vowels of a vowel combination are written behind the DIC.
IC + V + DFC
[sa:t \]
 harvest festival From a word with DFC รถ or รท RO RUE is not pronounced.
DIC + V + DFC
[sa \mut \/]
 ocean A prefix consonant conditioned two-syllable pronunciation. DEK (see Double consonants VI) with a mute ร at the end.

 
Type
Shortform
Example
Pronunciation
Meaning
Remarks
5.
IC + V + S + FC
[man /\]
 certain, firm, secure, stable  
น่าน
[na:n /\]
 jurisdiction, territory  
DIC + V + S + FC
[sai /]
 then False cluster (see Double consonants II). The pitch sign is on top of the second consonant.
[sa:ng /\]
 platform False cluster (see Double consonants II). The pitch sign is on top of the second consonant.
[sa:p /\]
 understand, know False cluster (see Double consonants II). Changes in pronunciation.

 
Type
Shortform
Example
Pronunciation
Meaning
Remarks
6.
IC + FC
[gop \]
 frog An unwritten short "o" will be inserted as a vowel.
[sa:wn\/]
 arrow In a syllable without a vowel that ends in RO RUE, is a long "a:w" inserted. RO RUE as FC is always pronouced as "n".
DIC + FC
[tha\non\/]
 street A prefix consonant conditioned two-syllable pronunciation.

 
Type
Shortform
Example
Pronunciation
Meaning
Remarks
7.
IC + S + FC
[song \]
 versenden An unwritten short "o" will be inserted as a vowel.
[ton/\]
 Baum, Chef An unwritten short "o" will be inserted as a vowel.

 
Not included on this page are words, in which parts are muted with GARAN.
 

 

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