Signification
Expressing slight confusion about something.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Kreng Jai' is central here. By saying 'not quite,' you avoid making the other person feel like they failed to explain well. In the Isan dialect, you might hear 'บ่ค่อยเข้าใจ' (bor koy kao jai), replacing 'mai' with 'bor'. Silence often means 'I don't understand but I'm too shy to say it.' Using 'ไม่ค่อยเข้าใจ' is a professional way to break that silence safely. Students are traditionally taught to be 'riab-roi' (polite/composed). Asking questions is encouraged more now, but the 'mai koy' buffer is still expected.
The 'Thao-rai' Add-on
Add 'thao-rai' at the end to sound 10x more like a native speaker. 'Mai koy kao jai thao-rai'.
Don't forget the 'Kha/Khrap'
Without the polite particle, this phrase loses its 'softening' power and can sound like a complaint.
Signification
Expressing slight confusion about something.
The 'Thao-rai' Add-on
Add 'thao-rai' at the end to sound 10x more like a native speaker. 'Mai koy kao jai thao-rai'.
Don't forget the 'Kha/Khrap'
Without the polite particle, this phrase loses its 'softening' power and can sound like a complaint.
Body Language
A slight tilt of the head or a gentle smile while saying this helps convey that you are trying your best.
Use with 'Yang'
Saying 'Yang mai koy kao jai' (Still don't quite understand) is even better for learners as it implies progress.
Teste-toi
Choose the most polite way to tell your teacher you are confused.
ครูสอนเร็วมาก นักเรียนควรพูดว่าอะไร?
Adding 'mai koy' and 'khrap' makes it the most polite and culturally appropriate choice.
Fill in the missing word to make the sentence mean 'I don't quite understand'.
ผม___ค่อยเข้าใจครับ
The negative 'mai' is required to form 'mai koy' (not quite).
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are in a meeting and the boss uses a new technical term.
This phrase specifically addresses the confusion about a word (kham nii).
Complete the dialogue.
A: เข้าใจที่ผมอธิบายไหม? B: _________ ช่วยอธิบายอีกรอบได้ไหมครับ?
The second part of B's sentence asks for another explanation, implying they didn't understand the first time.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesครูสอนเร็วมาก นักเรียนควรพูดว่าอะไร?
Adding 'mai koy' and 'khrap' makes it the most polite and culturally appropriate choice.
ผม___ค่อยเข้าใจครับ
The negative 'mai' is required to form 'mai koy' (not quite).
Situation: You are in a meeting and the boss uses a new technical term.
This phrase specifically addresses the confusion about a word (kham nii).
A: เข้าใจที่ผมอธิบายไหม? B: _________ ช่วยอธิบายอีกรอบได้ไหมครับ?
The second part of B's sentence asks for another explanation, implying they didn't understand the first time.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is actually the most polite way to say you are confused in Thai.
Yes, but 'งง' (ngong) is more common and casual among close friends.
'ไม่เข้าใจ' is 'I don't understand' (direct). 'ไม่ค่อยเข้าใจ' is 'I don't quite understand' (soft/polite).
Use 'ไม่เข้าใจเลย' (mâi kâo jai loei).
Yes, it is very appropriate for professional emails when asking for clarification.
In negative sentences, yes. In positive sentences, it can mean 'gradually' or 'later'.
Thai culture views the heart as the seat of both emotion and intellect.
Yes, 'ไม่ค่อยเก็ท' (mai koy get) is very popular with young people.
You can say 'เข้าใจช้านิดหน่อย' (I understand a bit slowly).
In Thai, you can often drop the subject (I/You) if it's clear from context.
Expressions liées
ไม่เข้าใจเลย
specialized formDon't understand at all
งง
synonymConfused
ตามไม่ทัน
similarCan't keep up
อธิบายใหม่
builds onExplain again
