หลาย
lǎaiMeaning
1determinerA1
many; several
a large number of; more than a few (used before classifiers or nouns; often written หลายๆหลายๆlăai lăaimany; several (emphatic) for emphasis)
Examples
ชั้นวางหนังสือchán-waang-nǎng-sʉ̌ʉชั้นวางหนังสือchán-waang-nǎng-sʉ̌ʉ1bookshelf2bookcase; shelving unitนี้níiนี้níi1this (near speaker)2this one3this; the present (time/topic)มีmiiมีmii1[to] have; possess2there is/are; exist3[to] experience; undergoหนังสือnǎng-sʉ̌ʉหนังสือnǎng-sʉ̌ʉ1book (printed work)2document; letterหลายlǎaiหลายlǎaimany; severalเล่มlêmเล่มlêm1CL: books/volumes/issues2classifier: knives, swords, candles, carts
This shelf has many books.
3 more examplesShow less
This garden has flowers in many colors.
Many students applied for the volunteer club this semester.
เขาkǎoเดินทางdəən-taangไปbpaiหลายlǎaiประเทศbprà-têetเพื่อpʉ̂ʉaหาhǎaประสบการณ์ทำงานbprà-sòp-gaan-tam-ngaan
He traveled to many countries to gain work experience.
Tones
See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.
How the tone is decided
- Consonant classHigh classLeading หA silent ห before ล puts this syllable in high class.
- Tone markNo tone mark
- Syllable endingLive syllableEnds in -ย, a sonorant, so it is live.
High class consonants
ขฃฉฐถผฝศษสห
Result
Rising tone
lǎai
Dips low first, then rises clearly.
High class + No tone mark + Live syllable → Rising
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 | — | — |