ทำไม
tam-maiMeanings
1AdverbA1
why (question word)
used to ask for a reason or explanation
Examples
ทำไมtam-maiทำไมtam-mai1why (question word)2why (expressing disbelief/complaint)คุณkunคุณkun1you (polite)2Mr.; Ms.; Mrs. (title)3quality; virtue; meritมาmaaมาmaa1[to] come; arrive2[to] come to (a state or situation)3past/as of now aspect markerสายsǎaiสายsǎai1late (in the day); running late2morning (late morning period)3line; wire; cable4route; line (transport/communication)5classifier for long, flexible things (wires, ropes, necklaces)6informant; spy; secret agent7string; strap; band8lineage; affiliation; branch9classifier for rivers and streams
Why are you late?
3 more examplesShow less
Why doesn’t he eat?
Why are you taking a day off tomorrow?
Why didn’t you bring an umbrella when it rained yesterday?
2AdverbA2
why (expressing disbelief/complaint)
used rhetorically to show surprise, disagreement, or complaint about a reason
Examples
ทำไมtam-maiทำไมtam-mai1why (question word)2why (expressing disbelief/complaint)พูดpûutพูดpûut1[to] speak; talk2[to] say; speak3[to] tell; talk aboutแบบนั้นbɛ̀ɛp-nánแบบนั้นbɛ̀ɛp-nán1like that; in that way2that kind of; that type of3that kind/that sort (of thing/person)ล่ะlâล่ะlâ1topic/contrast particle; question tag2sentence-final particle (casual emphasis)ฉันchǎnฉันchǎn1I; me2[to] eat (of Buddhist monks and novices)ตกใจdtòk-jaiตกใจdtòk-jaibe startled; be frightenedนะnáนะná1softener; friendly particle2persuasive/confirming particle
Why say that? I’m shocked.
3 more examplesShow less
Why blame only me? The whole team was there.
ทำไมtam-maiเงื่อนไขngʉ̂ʉan-kǎiถึงtʉ̌ngเปลี่ยนbplìianกะทันหันgà-tan-hǎnแบบนี้bɛ̀ɛp-níiไม่ยุติธรรมmâi-yú-dtì-tamเลยləəi
Why did the conditions suddenly change? This isn’t fair at all.
Tones
See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.
Why is ทำไม said ทัม-ไม?
tam-mai
The tone rules below use the spoken syllables.
2 syllables · pick one to see its rule
How the tone is decided
- Consonant classLow class
- Tone markNo tone mark
- Syllable endingLive syllableThe vowel ำ hides a final -ม, so it is live.
Low class consonants
คฅฆงชซฌญฑฒณทธนพฟภมยรลวฬฮ
Result
Mid tone
tam
Level, in your normal speaking voice.
Low class + No tone mark + Live syllable → Mid
Tone chart
Every class and spelling pattern, with this syllable outlined.
| Mid class | High class | Low class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No mark + live | Mid | Rising | Mid |
| No mark + dead short | Low | Low | High |
| No mark + dead long | Low | Low | Falling |
| Mai ek | Low | Low | Falling |
| Mai tho | Falling | Falling | High |
| Mai tri | High | — | — |
| Mai chattawa | Rising | — | — |
Word Breakdown
ทำtamทำtam1[to] do; make2[to] act; behave3[to] cook; prepare food4[to] do; carry out (work)5[to] cause; make[to] do; makePart 1
+
ทำไมtam-maiทำไมtam-maiwhy (question word)why (question word)Word