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 consonants FC. There are also special characters S, i. e. for pitch control.
The following syllable types are possible:
Both IC and FC may consist of double consonants. If in the following a 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 1
Shortform
|
Example
|
Pronunciation
|
Meaning
|
Remarks
|
IC
|
[gaw
/\]
|
subsequent | Shorthand for เก้าะ. It is a defined exception, and there is no other word that is processed in that way. | |
[na /]
|
from | is used for example in names. The family name ณ อยุธย means not only "from Ayutthaya", it is also a sign of royal descent. |
I have deliberately refrained from making a separate type for IC + S in the first example because it is only this one word.
Type 2
Shortform |
Example |
Pronunciation
|
Meaning |
Remarks |
IC + V
|
[na /]
|
part. (word added to the end of a sentence to soften it) | ||
[na: --]
|
field | |||
[ngu: --]
|
snake | |||
[pay --]
|
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 3
Shortform |
Example |
Pronunciation
|
Meaning |
Remarks |
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, see Double consonants IV) | |
[gwa:
\]
|
more than | DIC as true cluster (can be expressed together) | ||
[khray /\]
|
want, wish | True cluster. Vowel in front of DIC, S on top of the second consonant. | ||
[ya:
\]
|
forbid | Prefix O ANG only influencing the pitch (false cluster) | ||
[say /]
|
then | False cluster (see Double consonants II). The pitch sign is on top of the second consonant. |
Type 4
Shortform |
Example |
Pronunciation
|
Meaning |
Remarks |
IC + V + FC
|
[gap
\]
|
together with | ||
[ga:p
\]
|
spathe | |||
[ti:ang --]
|
bed | Vowel combinations are always regarded as a single vowel. Double vowels 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 muted ร at the end.e. |
Type 5
Shortform |
Example |
Pronunciation
|
Meaning |
Remarks |
IC + V + S + FC
|
[man
/\]
|
certain, firm, secure, stable | ||
[na:n
/\]
|
jurisdiction, territory | |||
DIC + V + S + FC
|
[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 (siehe double consonants II). Changes in pronunciation. |
Type 6
Shortform |
Example |
Pronunciation
|
Meaning |
Remarks |
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 7
Shortform |
Example |
Pronunciation
|
Meaning |
Remarks |
IC + S + FC
|
[song
\]
|
send | An unwritten short "o" will be inserted as a vowel. | |
[ton/\]
|
tree | An unwritten short "o" will be inserted as a vowel. |
Not included on this page are words, in which parts are muted with GARAN