ไม่ไหว
mâi-wǎiMeaning
1VerbA2
[to] be unable (to [do sth]); cannot
Used after a verb to show you cannot do it or continue, often because it is too hard, tiring, or overwhelming; can also be said alone to mean 'I can't' or 'This is too much.'
Examples
เหนื่อยจังnèuua-i jangเหนื่อยจังnèuua-i jangso tired; very tiredเดินdernเดินdern1[to] walk; go on foot2[to] proceed; go; move along3[to] run; operate (machine/system)4[to] run; operate; keep runningไม่ไหวmâi wăiไม่ไหวmâi wăi[to] be unable (to [do sth]); cannotแล้วláeoแล้วláeo1already; now (as of this point)2then; and then; after that3already; completed-action marker4and; and then (linking clauses)
So tired, I can't walk anymore.
3 more examplesShow less
Can I go home first? I have a bad headache and can't continue working.
ช่วงนี้chûuang-níiเจอjəəปัญหาbpan-hǎaหลายlǎaiเรื่องrʉ̂ʉangพร้อมกันprɔ́ɔm-ganจนjonรู้สึกว่าrúu-sʉ̀k-wâaรับมือráp-mʉʉคนเดียวkon-diiaoไม่ไหวmâi-wǎi
Lately, I've been facing many problems at once to the point that I feel I can't handle it alone.
Tones
See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.
2 syllables · pick one to see its rule
How the tone is decided
- Consonant classLow class
- Tone markMai ek
- Syllable endingLive syllableNot needed here: the tone mark decides.
Low class consonants
คฅฆงชซฌญฑฒณทธนพฟภมยรลวฬฮ
Result
Falling tone
mâi
Starts high, rises a little, then drops clearly.
Low class + Mai ek → Falling
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
+
ไม่ไหวmâi-wǎiไม่ไหวmâi-wǎi[to] be unable (to [do sth]); cannot[to] be unable (to [do sth]); cannotWord