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Learn Thai · Parts of Speech Series
LESSON 8 OF 8

Thai Interjections

คำอุทาน · kam u-thaan

Good news: An interjection is a short word that pops out to show a feeling (wow!, oh!, ouch!). They're fun, easy, and make you sound like a real Thai speaker.

1What is an interjection?

An interjection (คำอุทาน) expresses a sudden emotion. It usually stands alone at the start of a sentence.

Pattern: Interjection + sentence → ว้าว สวยมาก! (Wow, very beautiful!)

2Vocabulary

Good feelings

EnglishPronunciationThai
wow! (amazed)waaoว้าว
yay! (happy)yeเย้
oh, I seeaawอ๋อ
delicious!aroyอร่อย

Surprise / pain

EnglishPronunciationThai
oh! (surprise)aaoอ้าว
ouch! (pain)ooyโอ๊ย
oh no! (dismay)yae laeoแย่แล้ว
huh? / what?haหา

3Interjections in sentences

EnglishThaiPronunciation
Wow, very beautiful!ว้าว สวยมาก!waao, suay maak
Ouch, it hurts!โอ๊ย เจ็บ!ooy, jep
Oh, I forgot!อ้าว ลืม!aao, leum
Yay, it's fun!เย้ สนุก!ye, sanuk

4Tips every learner should know

  1. They usually stand alone at the start. โอ๊ย เจ็บ! = "Ouch, it hurts!"
  2. They show feeling, not grammar. Easy to add anywhere to sound natural and friendly.
  3. อ๋อ (aaw) = "oh, I see / I understand." Very common when something finally makes sense.
  4. Say them with feeling! Tone of voice carries most of the meaning of an interjection.

5Exercises

A. Write the Thai interjection: wow! = ว้าว; ouch! = โอ๊ย; oh! = ; yay! =

B. Use an interjection: Wow, very beautiful! = ว้าว สวยมาก!; Ouch, it hurts! = โอ๊ย เจ็บ!; then write your own.

6Make your own reactions

[ Interjection ] + [ your feeling ]   e.g. ว้าว อร่อยมาก! = Wow, very delicious!

Good feelings

  • ว้าว wow! (waao)
  • เย้ yay! (ye)
  • อ๋อ oh, I see (aaw)

Surprise / pain

  • อ้าว oh! (aao)
  • โอ๊ย ouch! (ooy)
  • แย่แล้ว oh no! (yae laeo)

Now write 4 reactions of your own:

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