Bedeutung
Stating that something has not happened
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase 'ไม่เคย' is the title of one of the most famous Thai songs by the band 25hours. It's about never forgetting a past love. If you tell a host 'ไม่เคยทาน...' (I've never eaten...), they will often see it as their duty to make sure you try it. It's a sign of 'greng jai' (consideration) to offer. Thai Gen Z uses 'ไม่เคย' in 'Never Have I Ever' challenges on TikTok, often using the English name but speaking in Thai. In Buddhist teachings, 'ไม่เคย' might be used to describe states of mind or experiences one hasn't reached yet on the path to enlightenment.
The 'Yet' Trick
Always use 'ยังไม่เคย' (yang mâi koie) instead of just 'ไม่เคย' if you want to sound polite and adventurous. It implies you are willing to try!
Don't conjugate!
Remember, Thai verbs don't change. Don't try to add past tense markers. 'ไม่เคย' does all the work for you.
Bedeutung
Stating that something has not happened
The 'Yet' Trick
Always use 'ยังไม่เคย' (yang mâi koie) instead of just 'ไม่เคย' if you want to sound polite and adventurous. It implies you are willing to try!
Don't conjugate!
Remember, Thai verbs don't change. Don't try to add past tense markers. 'ไม่เคย' does all the work for you.
The Durian Test
A very common question for foreigners is 'เคยทานทุเรียนไหม?' (Have you ever eaten durian?). Practice your 'ไม่เคย' or 'เคยแล้ว' (already have) for this!
Short Answers
You can just say 'ไม่เคยครับ' (mâi koie krap) to be perfectly grammatical and polite.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank to say 'I have never eaten durian.'
ผม ___ ทานทุเรียน
'ไม่เคย' is the correct phrase for 'never'.
Which sentence means 'I have never been to Thailand before'?
Choose the best option:
'มาก่อน' adds the 'before' nuance, making it the most accurate translation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: เคยไปเชียงใหม่ไหม? B: _________
The standard short answer to 'Have you ever...?' is 'ไม่เคย'.
Match the Thai sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'ไม่เคยลืมเธอเลย'
This means 'I never forget you,' a very common lyric in Thai love songs.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenผม ___ ทานทุเรียน
'ไม่เคย' is the correct phrase for 'never'.
Choose the best option:
'มาก่อน' adds the 'before' nuance, making it the most accurate translation.
A: เคยไปเชียงใหม่ไหม? B: _________
The standard short answer to 'Have you ever...?' is 'ไม่เคย'.
Sentence: 'ไม่เคยลืมเธอเลย'
This means 'I never forget you,' a very common lyric in Thai love songs.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt covers both. In Thai, the distinction between 'I never go' and 'I haven't gone' is made by context or adding words like 'มาก่อน' (before).
No, for that you would use 'ไม่...แล้ว' (mâi... láew). 'ไม่เคย' is only for things that have zero history.
It always goes before the verb. Subject + ไม่เคย + Verb.
Yes, it's neutral. Just add 'ครับ' (krap) or 'ค่ะ' (ka) at the end to be polite.
'เลย' adds emphasis, like 'never ever' or 'not at all'.
Yes! 'ไม่เคยสวยขนาดนี้' (Never been this beautiful).
Use 'ไม่เคยไป' (mâi koie pai) + the place name.
Yes, on its own it means 'used to' or 'ever'.
Only if the habit has never existed. If you want to say 'I don't usually', use 'ปกติไม่...' (pòk-kà-tì mâi).
Yes, it's the standard term in all registers.
Verwandte Redewendungen
เคย
contrastHave ever / Used to
ยังไม่เคย
similarNot yet
ไม่เคยเลย
specialized formNever ever
ไม่เคยมาก่อน
specialized formNever before
ไม่เคยมี
builds onNever had
