ไหม

mǎi

Meanings

1ParticleA1

yes–no question particle; or not?

Sentence-final particle forming a yes–no question; often translated as “...or not?”.

Examples

หิวhǐuหิวhǐu1hungry2[to] be hungry; feel hungryไหมmǎiไหมmǎi1yes–no question particle; or not?2silk
Are you hungry?
3 more examples
ไปด้วยกันไหมbpai-dûuai-gan-mǎi
Shall we go together?
พรุ่งนี้prûng-níiว่างไหมwâang-mǎiอยากyàakชวนchuuanไปbpaiดูหนังduu-nǎng
Are you free tomorrow? I'd like to invite you to a movie.
อากาศaa-gàatแบบนี้bɛ̀ɛp-níiควรkuuanพกpókร่มrômไหมmǎi
With this weather, should we bring an umbrella?
2NounB1

silk

Silk; the fiber or fabric produced by silkworms.

Examples

ผ้าพันคอpâa-pan-kɔɔผ้าพันคอpâa-pan-kɔɔscarf; neckerchiefผืนpʉ̌ʉnผืนpʉ̌ʉn1classifier (flat expanses/items)2sheet; stretch (flat expanse)นี้níiนี้níi1this (near speaker)2this one3this; the present (time/topic)ทอtɔɔทอtɔɔ1weave2emit a soft light; glowจากjàakจากjàak1from; away from2[to] leave; depart; part from3nipa palmไหมmǎiไหมmǎi1yes–no question particle; or not?2silkแท้tɛ́ɛแท้tɛ́ɛ1genuine; real; authentic2true; pure (in essence)3truly; indeed (emphasis)
This scarf is woven from real silk.
3 more examples
ช่างทอchâng-tɔɔเลือกlʉ̂ʉakไหมmǎiเส้นsênละเอียดlá-ìiatเพื่อให้pʉ̂ʉa-hâiผ้าpâaมีmiiความเงาkwaam-ngao
The weaver chose fine silk threads to give the fabric a sheen.
ในnaiตลาดนัดdtà-làat-nátมีmiiร้านráanขายkǎaiไหมmǎiหลากสีlàak-sǐiสำหรับsǎm-ràpงานหัตถกรรมngaan-hàt-tà-gam
At the flea market, there's a shop selling silk in various colors for handicrafts.
ชุดไทยchút-taiที่tîiตัดdtàtด้วยdûuaiไหมmǎiชั้นดีchán-diiจะjàพลิ้วไหวplíu-wǎiและlɛ́สะท้อนแสงsà-tɔ́ɔn-sɛ̌ɛngอย่างงดงามyàang-ngót-ngaam
A Thai outfit tailored from premium silk will flow beautifully and reflect light elegantly.

Tones

See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.

How the tone is decided

  1. Consonant classHigh classLeading หA silent ห before ม puts this syllable in high class.
  2. Tone markNo tone mark
  3. Syllable endingLive syllableThe vowel ไ hides a final -ย, so it is live.

High class consonants

ขฃฉฐถผฝศษสห

Result

Rising tone

mǎi

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 classHigh classLow class
No mark + liveMidRisingMid
No mark + dead shortLowLowHigh
No mark + dead longLowLowFalling
Mai ekLowLowFalling
Mai thoFallingFallingHigh
Mai triHigh——
Mai chattawaRising——

Related Words

1yes–no question particle; or not?