Bedeutung
Asking about the distance to a location.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Bangkok, distance is measured in time, not kilometers. If you ask 'Klai mai khrap?', the answer will likely be '30 minutes' rather than '5 kilometers' because of traffic. In rural areas, 'not far' (mai klai) can mean anything from 500 meters to 5 kilometers. People are used to longer distances between villages. The concept of 'Kreng-jai' means people might say 'not far' to make you feel better, even if it is a long walk. Always double-check with a map! The 'Klai/Klai' distinction is a famous shibboleth. Thais are very impressed when a foreigner gets the mid-tone of 'far' right.
The Tone Trick
If you are unsure of the tone for 'Far', just point into the distance while saying it. Thais will understand from context even if your tone is slightly off.
Gender Check
If you are a woman, never say 'khrap'. Always use 'kha' (ไกลไหมคะ). Using 'khrap' will make people think you are joking or confused.
Bedeutung
Asking about the distance to a location.
The Tone Trick
If you are unsure of the tone for 'Far', just point into the distance while saying it. Thais will understand from context even if your tone is slightly off.
Gender Check
If you are a woman, never say 'khrap'. Always use 'kha' (ไกลไหมคะ). Using 'khrap' will make people think you are joking or confused.
The 'Not Far' Lie
If a local says 'Mai klai' (Not far), ask 'Nan mai?' (Does it take a long time?). This gives you a better idea of the actual effort.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct question particle to ask 'Is it far?' politely (for a man).
ไกล____ครับ
ไหม (mai) is the standard question particle for yes/no questions.
Which sentence means 'Is the airport far?'
Select the correct Thai translation:
Option A correctly uses 'สนามบิน' (airport) and 'ไกล' (far). Option D uses 'ใกล้' (near).
Complete the dialogue between a passenger and a taxi driver.
Passenger: ไปพัทยา________? Driver: ไกลครับ ประมาณ 2 ชั่วโมง
The driver's response 'ไกลครับ' (It's far) indicates the question was about distance.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Phrase: 'อีกไกลไหมครับกว่าจะถึง'
'อีก' (eek) means 'more' or 'further', implying you are already on the way.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
The Tone Trap
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenไกล____ครับ
ไหม (mai) is the standard question particle for yes/no questions.
Select the correct Thai translation:
Option A correctly uses 'สนามบิน' (airport) and 'ไกล' (far). Option D uses 'ใกล้' (near).
Passenger: ไปพัทยา________? Driver: ไกลครับ ประมาณ 2 ชั่วโมง
The driver's response 'ไกลครับ' (It's far) indicates the question was about distance.
Phrase: 'อีกไกลไหมครับกว่าจะถึง'
'อีก' (eek) means 'more' or 'further', implying you are already on the way.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, 'ไกล' is only for physical distance. For time, use 'นานไหมครับ' (Nan mai khrap).
'ไหม' is the formal written form. 'มั้ย' is how it is actually pronounced in conversation.
If you are talking to a stranger, yes. It makes you sound like a polite and educated person.
You can say 'ไกลครับ' (It's far), 'ไม่ไกลครับ' (Not far), or 'ไกลนิดหน่อย' (A little far).
Yes, but it's more poetic. For example, 'เราไกลกันเหลือเกิน' (We are so far apart).
Saying 'ไกลๆ' (Klai klai) emphasizes that something is very, very far away.
Yes, 'ไกลป่ะ' (Klai pa) is very common among teenagers.
Ask 'กี่กิโลครับ' (Gee kilo khrap).
No, it specifically refers to distance or being far away.
If you use a falling tone, you are asking 'Is it near?'. Context usually helps, but it can lead to funny misunderstandings.
Verwandte Redewendungen
ใกล้ไหมครับ
contrastIs it near?
ไกลแค่ไหน
specialized formHow far is it?
ไม่ไกล
similarNot far.
ไกลมาก
builds onVery far.
