Signification
Returning the remaining money after payment.
Contexte culturel
In local markets, vendors often don't have change for 1,000 baht bills early in the morning. It's polite to ask 'มีทอนไหม' (Do you have change?) before buying a small item. Thailand isn't a strict tipping culture, but 'rounding up' the change (not asking for the 'ทอนเงิน') is a common way to show appreciation to taxi drivers and delivery riders. 7-Eleven cashiers are trained to announce the change amount loudly to ensure transparency and prevent disputes. This has influenced how Thais expect 'ทอนเงิน' to be handled in other shops. In rural areas or small mom-and-pop shops, if they lack 1-baht coins for 'ทอนเงิน', they might offer a small piece of candy or a cough drop instead. It's a quirky but accepted practice.
Check your change
Always count your 'เงินทอน' before walking away from a market stall. It's not that they are dishonest, but they are often very busy and make mistakes.
The 1,000 Baht Problem
Avoid using 1,000 baht bills for small purchases (under 50 baht) at street stalls. It's considered slightly rude as it depletes the vendor's 'เงินทอน' for the whole day.
Signification
Returning the remaining money after payment.
Check your change
Always count your 'เงินทอน' before walking away from a market stall. It's not that they are dishonest, but they are often very busy and make mistakes.
The 1,000 Baht Problem
Avoid using 1,000 baht bills for small purchases (under 50 baht) at street stalls. It's considered slightly rude as it depletes the vendor's 'เงินทอน' for the whole day.
Polite Tipping
Saying 'ไม่ต้องทอนครับ/ค่ะ' is the most natural way to tip in Thailand. It feels like a friendly gesture rather than a formal tip.
Listen for the amount
Cashiers will say 'ทอนเงิน...บาท'. Use this as a listening exercise to practice your Thai numbers!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'giving change'.
แม่ค้ากำลัง ___ เงินให้ลูกค้า
'ทอน' is the specific verb for giving change.
How do you say 'Keep the change' in Thai?
If you want the taxi driver to keep the change, you say:
'ไม่ต้องทอน' means 'No need to give change'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ส้มราคาสี่สิบบาทครับ นี่ครับแบงก์ร้อย B: ได้ค่ะ เดี๋ยว ___ ให้หกสิบบาทนะคะ
The seller is returning the balance, so 'ทอนเงิน' is correct.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You received 10 baht but you should have received 20 baht.
'ทอนเงินผิด' means the change given was incorrect.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesแม่ค้ากำลัง ___ เงินให้ลูกค้า
'ทอน' is the specific verb for giving change.
If you want the taxi driver to keep the change, you say:
'ไม่ต้องทอน' means 'No need to give change'.
A: ส้มราคาสี่สิบบาทครับ นี่ครับแบงก์ร้อย B: ได้ค่ะ เดี๋ยว ___ ให้หกสิบบาทนะคะ
The seller is returning the balance, so 'ทอนเงิน' is correct.
You received 10 baht but you should have received 20 baht.
'ทอนเงินผิด' means the change given was incorrect.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with anyone from a street vendor to a bank manager.
Yes, in casual settings like a market, just saying 'ทอน' is very common.
They will say 'ไม่มีทอน' (Mai mee thon). You might need to find a smaller bill or a different shop.
Say 'คุณทอนเงินเกินครับ' (Khun thon ngin koen krap).
No, it is only for cash. For cards, there is no 'change' to give.
No. 'เงินทอน' is the money you get back. 'เศษเงิน' is small change/coins in general.
It's a local custom when they run out of small coins. You can accept it or just say 'ไม่ต้องทอน'.
Not at all! It's your money. Just use a polite 'ครับ/ค่ะ'.
It's a mid tone, like 'torn' but without the 'r' sound and with a breathy 't'.
Using 'เปลี่ยนเงิน' (change money) instead of 'ทอนเงิน'.
Expressions liées
เงินทอน
similarThe change (noun)
แบงก์ย่อย
builds onSmall bills
คืนเงิน
similarTo refund/return money
แลกเงิน
similarTo exchange money
จ่ายเงิน
contrastTo pay money
