Modality: Can, Should, Must
Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of expressing what you can do, must do, and want to do in Thai.
- Identify the correct placement of modal verbs.
- Formulate polite requests for permission.
- Express personal desires and social requirements clearly.
Lo que aprenderás
Expressing ability, obligation, and permission using modal verbs. Navigating social expectations.
-
El verbo de habilidad 'Dai' (poder)The word
daiis your universal 'can' in Thai, needing no conjugation or changes based on the subject. -
Thai Obligation: How to use 'tong' (ต้อง)Use 'tong' (ต้อง) before a verb to express an obligation or necessity in Thai.
-
Pedir permiso en tailandés (dai)Adding
dai maito the end of your verb turns any action into a polite permission request. -
Expresar deseos en tailandés (`yak`)The word
yakis your go-to Thai term for expressing casual wants and desires in daily life.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
-
1
By the end you will be able to: express basic ability, obligation, permission, and desire in daily conversations.
Ejemplos clave (8)
Mai tong gin phed kor dai.
You don't have to eat spicy food.
Thai Obligation: How to use 'tong' (ต้อง)Consejos y trucos (4)
Context is King
Placement
Don't overthink
Drop the Subject
Vocabulario clave (6)
Real-World Preview
At the Local Market
Review Summary
- Subject + Verb + ได้
- Subject + ต้อง + Verb
- Verb + ได้ + ไหม
- Subject + อยาก + Verb
Errores comunes
Ability 'dai' must follow the verb, not precede it.
'Tong' acts as a modal auxiliary and must come before the main verb.
You don't need 'dai' when using 'yak'; 'yak' already carries the desire to perform the action.
Reglas en este capítulo (4)
Next Steps
You're doing fantastic! Keep building those sentences.
Practice saying sentences aloud to native speakers.
Práctica rápida (10)
Choose the correct sentence:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Thai Obligation: How to use 'tong' (ต้อง)
ผม ___ ไปโรงเรียน (I have to go to school).
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Thai Obligation: How to use 'tong' (ต้อง)
Find and fix the mistake:
Chan yak telefon.
yak dai (want to get).frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Expresar deseos en tailandés (`yak`)
Find and fix the mistake:
Chan dai speak Thai.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: El verbo de habilidad 'Dai' (poder)
Chan ___ pai suea.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: El verbo de habilidad 'Dai' (poder)
Choose the most natural sentence:
yak must come before the verb 'to eat' (gin).frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Expresar deseos en tailandés (`yak`)
Choose the grammatically correct sentence:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: El verbo de habilidad 'Dai' (poder)
___ (take a photo) dai mai?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso en tailandés (dai)
Find and fix the mistake:
Nang dai.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso en tailandés (dai)
Choose the correct permission request:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Pedir permiso en tailandés (dai)
Score: /10
Preguntas frecuentes (6)
mai before dai. Example: mai dai (cannot).