ไสหนิ
sǎi-nìMeaning
1NounB1
Where is [sth/sb] (then)?
An Isan (Northeastern Thai)/Lao colloquial question meaning 'Where is it/are they?', with หนิหนิnì1this2particle indicating a reminder or obvious fact adding emphasis. Used when something is expected to be present, often expressing impatience or challenge: 'Where is it, then?'
Examples
ไหนnǎiไหนnǎi1which (asking to choose)2which one; which person/thing3where (question)4any; whichever (in indefinite constructions)บอกว่าbɔ̀ɔk-wâaบอกว่าbɔ̀ɔk-wâa1[to] say/tell that; report/declare that2[of text/sign] say/indicate thatเอาaoเอาao1[to] take; get; pick2[to] want (request/ordering)3[to] use; employ4[to] bring/take (for use)5marker: adverse consequence6come on; all right; go ahead7[to] have sex (vulgar slang)8auxiliary marking emphasis or resultเงินngənเงินngən1money2funds; finances3silver (metal)มาmaaมาmaa1[to] come; arrive2[to] come to (a state or situation)3past/as of now aspect markerให้hâiให้hâi1[to] give; provide2[to] allow; let; permit3to; for [sb] (recipient)4[to] have [sb] do; cause to5for (benefit of)6so that; in order to7until; to the point that (result)แล้วlɛ́ɛoแล้วlɛ́ɛo1already; now (as of this point)2then; and then; after that3already; completed-action marker4and; and then (linking clauses)เงินngənเงินngən1money2funds; finances3silver (metal)อยู่yùuอยู่yùu1[to] live; reside; stay2to be (located); be at3progressive/continuative marker4to exist; remainไสหนิsǎi-nìไสหนิsǎi-nìWhere is [sth/sb] (then)?
You said you brought the money, so where is it then?
3 more examplesShow less
เจ้าjâaoบอกว่าbɔ̀ɔk-wâaจะjàมาmaaรับrápตอนเที่ยงdtɔɔn-tîiangนี่nîiมันmanบ่ายโมงbàai-moongแล้วlɛ́ɛoเจ้าjâaoอยู่yùuไสหนิsǎi-nì
You said you'd come pick me up at noon. It's one o'clock now, so where are you?
You said you would take me to eat. So where's the restaurant, then? I don't see it at all.
ตอนdtɔɔnหาเสียงhǎa-sǐiangบอกว่าbɔ̀ɔk-wâaจะjàพัฒนาหมู่pát-tá-naa-mùuบ้านbâanให้ดีhâi-diiขึ้นkʉ̂nผ่านมาpàan-maaเป็นbpenปีbpiiแล้วlɛ́ɛoความเจริญkwaam-jà-rəənที่ว่าtîi-wâaน่ะnâมันmanอยู่yùuไสหนิsǎi-nì
During the campaign, you said you'd develop the village. A year has passed, so where is this so-called progress, then?
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 classHigh class
- Tone markNo tone mark
- Syllable endingLive syllableThe vowel ไ hides a final -ย, so it is live.
High class consonants
ขฃฉฐถผฝศษสห
Result
Rising tone
sǎi
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 | — | — |
Word Breakdown
ไสsǎiไสsǎi1[to] plane; shave smooth2where (Isan)3[to] push; shove along4[to] shave; shred (food or ice)[to] plane; shave smoothPart 1
+
ไสหนิsǎi-nìไสหนิsǎi-nìWhere is [sth/sb] (then)?Where is [sth/sb] (then)?Word