๓
sǎamMeaning
1NounA1
three
The Thai digit representing the number three (3).
Examples
บนbonบนbon1on; upon; in; above2upper; top3[to] vow (at a shrine)โต๊ะdtóโต๊ะdtó1table2deskมีmiiมีmii1[to] have; possess2there is/are; exist3[to] experience; undergoแก้วgɛ̂ɛoแก้วgɛ̂ɛo1drinking glass2glass (material)3classifier: glasses of drink4crystal; precious gem5precious; cherished; beloved (literary)6bullet wood; Spanish cherry (northern Thai)7orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata)๓sǎam๓sǎamthreeใบbaiใบbai1leaf2sheet; slip; card; ticket; bill; receipt3classifier for leaves, paper items, containers, and certain other objects4license; permit; certificate5blade
There are three glasses on the table.
3 more examplesShow less
Yesterday, I read three pages of a book.
Tomorrow, three friends will come to my house.
House number 3 is next to Uncle Chai's car repair shop.
Tones
See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.
Why is ๓ said สาม?
sǎam
Thai spelling does not always show how a word sounds. This is how it is said.
The tone rules below use the spoken syllables.
How the tone is decided
- Consonant classHigh class
- Tone markNo tone mark
- Syllable endingLive syllableEnds in -ม, a sonorant, so it is live.
High class consonants
ขฃฉฐถผฝศษสห
Result
Rising tone
sǎam
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 | — | — |