B1 Verb Forms 3 min read Medium

Thai Command Causatives: Using `hai`

The particle hai functions as a causative bridge to instruct others to perform specific actions.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use ให้ (hâi) to show that one person causes another to perform an action, meaning 'to make', 'to let', or 'to have'.

  • Place ให้ (hâi) after the main subject and before the person doing the action: แม่ให้ลูกกินผัก (Mom makes the kid eat veggies).
  • For negative commands, place ไม่ (mâi) before ให้ (hâi) to mean 'not let': ไม่ให้ไป (don't let go).
  • Add verbs like สั่ง (sàng - order) or บอก (bòk - tell) before ให้ for specific nuances of command.
Subject + ให้ (hâi) + Person + Action 🏃‍♂️

Overview

Ever tried to get a lazy roommate to clean, or a barista to fix your drink? In Thai, you don't just ask nicely; you use the command causative. Think of it as the ultimate "get stuff done" tool. You use hai to make someone else do the heavy lifting for you. It turns a simple request into a clear instruction. It's basically your verbal remote control for other people's actions. No magic wand required, just one simple word.

How This Grammar Works

The secret sauce here is hai. It acts like a bridge between the person giving the order and the person doing the work. You aren't just saying "do it"; you're saying "cause it to happen." It’s the difference between saying "Clean the room" and "Make the room get cleaned." It sounds a bit bossy, but in Thai, it’s actually standard for getting things done efficiently.

Formation Pattern

1
Start with the main verb (the action you want).
2
Add hai (the causative bridge).
3
Add the person who needs to do the action.
4
Add the secondary verb (the specific task).
5
Example: tam (do) + hai (cause) + nong (younger sibling) + tam (do) = Make your sibling do it!

When To Use It

Use this when you are delegating tasks like a project manager. It’s perfect for food delivery instructions or telling your stylist how you want your hair cut. If you’re at a cafe and want the barista to make your latte extra hot, this is your go-to. It works best when you have clear authority or a specific service interaction. Don't use it on your boss unless you want a new job by tomorrow.

Common Mistakes

People often forget the hai and just mash two verbs together. That sounds like you’re having a stroke, not giving a command. Another mistake is forgetting the person involved. If you leave out the person, the sentence just hangs there in space. Always specify who is doing the work. Also, don't confuse it with hai meaning "to give." They look the same but work differently.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Compare this to suang (order/request). suang is polite and suggests a favor. hai is direct and implies a command or a necessary action. Think of suang as a DM to a friend, and hai as a task assigned in Slack. One is a request, the other is an instruction. Use hai when you need results, not just favors.

Quick FAQ

Q

Is hai rude? A: Not if you use it for instructions. Q: Can I use it for myself? A: No, that’s just weird.

Memory Trick

Imagine hai as a "hand-off" pass in a relay race. You are passing the responsibility of the action to the other person. They catch the hai and start running with the task. If you don't pass the hai, the race stops immediately.

Basic Causative Structure

Subject (Causer) Causative Marker Object (Doer) Action (Verb) Meaning
แม่ (Mom)
ให้ (hâi)
ลูก (child)
กิน (eat)
Mom makes/lets child eat
เจ้านาย (Boss)
สั่งให้ (sàng hâi)
ฉัน (me)
ทำ (do)
Boss orders me to do
หมอ (Doctor)
บอกให้ (bòk hâi)
เขา (him)
พัก (rest)
Doctor tells him to rest
ผม (I)
ไม่ให้ (mâi hâi)
หมา (dog)
เข้า (enter)
I don't let the dog enter
เพื่อน (Friend)
ขอให้ (khǒo hâi)
เรา (us)
ช่วย (help)
Friend asks us to help
ครู (Teacher)
ให้ (hâi)
นักเรียน (students)
อ่าน (read)
Teacher has students read

Common Spoken Contractions

Full Form Spoken Nuance Example
บอกให้ (bòk hâi)
Often shortened to just 'ให้' in fast speech if context is clear
แม่ให้ไปอาบน้ำ (Mom [told me] to shower)
ขอให้ (khǒo hâi)
Can sound like a wish or a request depending on tone
ขอให้โชคดี (Wish you luck)

Meanings

The causative construction in Thai uses the word ให้ (hâi) to indicate that the subject is causing, allowing, or requesting another person to perform a specific action.

1

Command/Requirement

To force or require someone to do something, often used by superiors to subordinates.

“ครูให้นักเรียนทำการบ้าน (The teacher made the students do homework)”

“พ่อให้ผมล้างรถ (Dad had me wash the car)”

2

Permission/Allowance

To allow or let someone do something they want to do.

“แม่ให้ฉันไปเที่ยวกับเพื่อน (Mom let me go out with friends)”

“เขาไม่ให้เราเข้าบ้าน (He didn't let us enter the house)”

3

Indirect Command (Telling/Ordering)

Using a reporting verb like 'tell' or 'order' combined with ให้ to specify the command.

“เขาสั่งให้ฉันเงียบ (He ordered me to be quiet)”

“หมอบอกให้เขาพักผ่อน (The doctor told him to rest)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Thai Command Causatives: Using `hai`
Structure Example Meaning
Verb + hai + Person + Action
tam hai nong tam
Make younger sibling do it
Verb + hai + Person + Action
sue hai mae sue
Have mom buy it
Verb + hai + Person + Action
bork hai khao pai
Tell him to go
Verb + hai + Person + Action
song hai phi song
Make older sibling send it
Verb + hai + Person + Action
tam hai chan kin
Make it for me to eat
Verb + hai + Person + Action
wai hai khao tham
Let him do it

Formality Spectrum

Formal
หัวหน้ามอบหมายให้ผมดำเนินการให้เสร็จสิ้น

หัวหน้ามอบหมายให้ผมดำเนินการให้เสร็จสิ้น (Workplace)

Neutral
เจ้านายสั่งให้ผมทำงานให้เสร็จ

เจ้านายสั่งให้ผมทำงานให้เสร็จ (Workplace)

Informal
บอสบอกให้ทำพาร์ทนี้ให้เสร็จ

บอสบอกให้ทำพาร์ทนี้ให้เสร็จ (Workplace)

Slang
พี่เค้าสั่งให้ปั่นงานให้เสร็จ

พี่เค้าสั่งให้ปั่นงานให้เสร็จ (Workplace)

The Causative Flow

hai

Action

  • tam do

Request vs Command

Polite
suang request

When to use hai

1

Is someone doing a task?

YES
Use hai
NO
Don't use it

Usage scenarios

🏠

Daily Life

  • • Chores
  • • Food
  • • Travel
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

ให้ฉันดูหน่อย

Let me have a look.

2

แม่ให้เงิน

Mom gives money.

3

ให้เขาไป

Let him go.

4

ครูให้พูด

The teacher lets (us) speak.

1

พ่อไม่ให้ฉันขับรถ

Dad doesn't let me drive.

2

เขาให้เรานั่งที่นี่

He let us sit here.

3

หมอให้กินยา

The doctor had (me) take medicine.

4

อย่าให้เขารู้

Don't let him know.

1

เจ้านายสั่งให้ฉันทำรายงาน

The boss ordered me to do the report.

2

แม่บอกให้ลูกไปอาบน้ำ

Mom told the child to go take a shower.

3

เขาขอให้ฉันช่วยถือของ

He asked me to help carry things.

4

บริษัทให้พนักงานทำงานที่บ้าน

The company had the employees work from home.

1

รัฐบาลอนุญาตให้ร้านค้าเปิดได้

The government permitted shops to open.

2

เขาถูกสั่งให้ลาออกจากงาน

He was ordered to resign from his job.

3

ครูกำชับให้นักเรียนมาตรงเวลา

The teacher insisted that students come on time.

4

โปรดให้ความร่วมมือกับเจ้าหน้าที่

Please cooperate with the officers (lit: give cooperation).

1

ศาลสั่งให้จำเลยชดใช้ค่าเสียหาย

The court ordered the defendant to pay damages.

2

การกระทำของเขาทำให้เกิดความเข้าใจผิด

His actions caused a misunderstanding.

3

เขายินยอมให้ตรวจค้นกระเป๋า

He consented to having his bag searched.

4

พระองค์ทรงพระกรุณาโปรดเกล้าฯ ให้เข้าเฝ้า

His Majesty graciously granted an audience.

1

กฎหมายฉบับนี้มุ่งเน้นให้ประชาชนมีส่วนร่วม

This law aims to have the citizens participate.

2

วิกฤตการณ์นี้บีบบังคับให้เราต้องปรับตัว

This crisis forced us to adapt.

3

เขาพยายามโน้มน้าวให้คณะกรรมการเห็นชอบ

He tried to persuade the committee to approve.

4

วรรณกรรมเรื่องนี้สะท้อนให้เห็นถึงสภาพสังคม

This literature reflects (makes us see) the social conditions.

Easily Confused

Thai Command Causatives: Using `hai` vs ให้ (hâi) vs. ทำให้ (tham hâi)

Learners use 'hâi' for results and 'tham hâi' for commands because English uses 'make' for both.

Thai Command Causatives: Using `hai` vs ให้ (hâi) vs. ช่วย (chûay)

Both can be used for requests, but 'chûay' means 'help' and is more polite.

Thai Command Causatives: Using `hai` vs ให้ (hâi) as 'Give' vs. 'Causative'

The same word is used for both, which can be confusing in complex sentences.

Common Mistakes

✗

ทำฉันไป

✓

ให้ฉันไป

Don't use 'tham' (do/make) for permission. Use 'hâi'.
✗

ให้ไปฉัน

✓

ให้ฉันไป

The person must come immediately after 'hâi'.
✗

ฉันให้เขา

✓

ฉันให้เขาไป

If it's a causative, you need an action verb at the end.
✗

ไม่ให้ไปฉัน

✓

ฉันไม่ให้ไป

Subject usually comes first in Thai.
✗

แม่ให้ฉันไม่กิน

✓

แม่ไม่ให้ฉันกิน

Put 'mâi' before 'hâi' to negate the permission/command.
✗

เขาบอกฉันให้ไป

✓

เขาบอกให้ฉันไป

The structure is 'bòk hâi' + Person + Verb.
✗

ครูให้เราใช้พจนานุกรมได้ไหม

✓

ครูให้ใช้พจนานุกรมได้ไหม

While not strictly wrong, Thai often drops 'us' if it's obvious.
✗

ข่าวทำให้ฉันดีใจ

✓

ข่าวทำให้ฉันดีใจ

Wait, this is actually correct! The mistake is using 'hâi' here instead of 'tham hâi'.
✗

เขาสั่งฉันให้ทำ

✓

เขาสั่งให้ฉันทำ

Keep 'sàng hâi' together as a unit.
✗

เจ้านายให้ฉันทำงานล่วงเวลา

✓

เจ้านายให้ฉันทำงานล่วงเวลา

This is correct, but learners often forget the 'hâi' entirely.
✗

บังคับให้เขาไป

✓

บังคับให้เขาไป

Correct, but at C1, learners might over-use 'บังคับ' (force) when 'ให้' is more culturally appropriate.

Sentence Patterns

แม่ให้___กิน___

เจ้านายสั่งให้___ทำ___

หมอบอกให้___พักผ่อน___วัน

รัฐบาลไม่อนุญาตให้___ทำ___

Real World Usage

Texting a friend very common

แม่ให้กลับบ้านแล้ว (Mom's making me go home now.)

Job Interview occasional

เจ้านายเก่าให้ผมดูแลโปรเจกต์ใหญ่ (My old boss had me manage a big project.)

Ordering Food common

ให้เขาใส่พริกเยอะๆ นะ (Have them put in lots of chili.)

Travel/Taxi common

ให้เขาจอดหน้าเซเว่นครับ (Have him stop in front of 7-Eleven.)

Doctor's Visit occasional

หมอให้งดอาหารทะเล (The doctor had me refrain from seafood.)

Social Media very common

แฟนให้ของขวัญ (Boyfriend gave a gift - wait, this is 'give'!) vs แฟนให้ไปรับ (Boyfriend had me pick him up.)

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

Mastering the flow

Always keep the person right after hai.

Smart Tips

Use 'ทำให้' (tham hâi) because happiness is a result/emotion, not a command.

คุณให้ฉันดีใจ (Incorrect) → คุณทำให้ฉันดีใจ (Correct)

Translate it as 'let' or 'make' in your head immediately.

เขาให้ฉันไป (He gives me go?) → เขาให้ฉันไป (He lets me go.)

Add 'ช่วย' (chûay) at the beginning and 'ให้หน่อย' (hâi nòy) at the end.

บอกให้เขามา (Tell him to come.) → ช่วยบอกให้เขามาหน่อยครับ (Please tell him to come, please.)

Always put 'ไม่' (mâi) before 'ให้' (hâi).

แม่ให้ฉันไม่ไป (Incorrect) → แม่ไม่ให้ฉันไป (Correct)

Pronunciation

hâi (falling tone)

Falling Tone on ให้

The word ให้ (hâi) has a falling tone. Start high and drop low quickly.

bòk-hâi

Linking บอก + ให้

In 'bòk hâi', the 'k' in 'bòk' is a glottal stop. Don't release a puff of air.

Commanding Intonation

ไปเดี๋ยวนี้! (Go now!)

Short, clipped tones indicate a strong command.

Requesting Intonation

ช่วยทำหน่อยได้ไหมคะ? (Can you help do it?)

Rising intonation at the end with a polite particle makes it a request.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Hâi (ให้) is like a 'High' command from a boss to an employee.

Visual Association

Imagine a boss holding a sign that says 'HÂI' pointing an arrow from themselves to a worker who is typing furiously.

Rhyme

When you want a task to be done, use 'Hâi' and the person, then the fun!

Story

Little Somchai wanted to play, but his Mom said 'Hâi' (ให้) he must clean his room first. Then the Teacher 'Hâi' (ให้) him do homework. Somchai realized that 'Hâi' is the word people use when they want him to do things!

Word Web

ให้ (hâi)สั่งให้ (sàng hâi)บอกให้ (bòk hâi)ทำให้ (tham hâi)ขอให้ (khǒo hâi)อนุญาตให้ (a-nu-yâat hâi)

Challenge

Write 3 things your boss or teacher 'hâi' (made) you do today, and 1 thing your parents 'mâi hâi' (didn't let) you do when you were a kid.

Cultural Notes

In Thai culture, who uses 'ให้' matters. A superior (older person, boss) uses it freely. An inferior (younger person, employee) would use 'ขอให้' (ask to) or 'อยากให้' (would like you to) to be polite.

Always add 'ครับ' (kráp) or 'ค่ะ' (kâ) when using causatives to avoid sounding too bossy, especially with equals.

Thais often avoid direct commands. Instead of 'I order you to...', they might say 'The boss wants you to...' using 'ให้'.

The word 'ให้' (hâi) is a Proto-Tai word meaning 'to give'.

Conversation Starters

“

ตอนเด็กๆ พ่อแม่ไม่ให้คุณทำอะไรบ้าง?

“

ถ้าคุณเป็นเจ้านาย คุณจะสั่งให้ลูกน้องทำอะไรเป็นอย่างแรก?

“

คุณเคยถูกบังคับให้ทำอะไรที่คุณไม่อยากทำไหม?

“

รัฐบาลควรอนุญาตให้คนทำอะไรได้มากขึ้น?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time a teacher made you do something difficult.
Describe your dream job and what you would have your employees do.
Discuss the pros and cons of parents letting their children use social media.
Reflect on a law in your country that forces citizens to act in a certain way.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct causative particle.

Pee ____ nong tham ngan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hai
Use hai to indicate that the older sibling is making the younger one work.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'Mom made me eat vegetables.' Multiple Choice

แม่___ฉันกินผัก

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ให้
In Thai, 'hâi' is used for causative commands like making someone do something.
Fill in the blank to say 'The boss ordered me to work.'

เจ้านาย___ให้ฉันทำงาน

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: สั่ง
'sàng' means to order, so 'sàng hâi' is 'ordered to'.
Find the error: 'แม่ให้ฉันไม่ไปโรงเรียน' (Mom didn't let me go to school). Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

แม่ให้ฉันไม่ไปโรงเรียน

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ไม่ไป
The negative 'mâi' should be before 'hâi'. Correct: 'แม่ไม่ให้ฉันไปโรงเรียน'.
Change 'หมอบอก: พักผ่อน' (Doctor says: Rest) into a causative sentence. Sentence Transformation

หมอบอก: พักผ่อน

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: หมอบอกให้พักผ่อน
Using 'bòk hâi' reports what the doctor told someone to do.
Match the Thai sentence to its English meaning. Match Pairs

1. ให้เขาไป 2. ทำให้เขาเศร้า 3. สั่งให้เขาทำ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-B, 2-C, 3-A
ให้ = let, ทำให้ = make (result), สั่งให้ = order.
Is this statement true or false? True False Rule

In Thai, 'hâi' can mean both 'to make' and 'to let'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: True
The word 'hâi' is neutral and its meaning (make vs let) depends on context.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ทำไมคุณไม่ไปงานปาร์ตี้? B: แม่___ไปครับ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ไม่ให้
The context implies the mother didn't allow it.
Sort these words into the correct order: [ไป] [ฉัน] [ให้] [เขา] Grammar Sorting

He let me go.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: เขา ให้ ฉัน ไป
Subject (He) + ให้ + Object (me) + Verb (go).

Score: /8

Practice Bank

1 exercises
Find and fix the mistake in the causative sentence. Error Correction

Khao bork chan pai.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Khao bork hai chan pai

Score: /1

FAQ (8)

Yes! For example, `แม่ให้เงินให้ฉันไปซื้อของ` (Mom gave money to have me go buy things). The first 'hâi' is 'give', the second is causative.

Look at the power dynamic. If a teacher says it to a student, it's usually 'make'. If a student asks a teacher, it's 'let'.

Mostly, but it can also be for physical results, like `ฝนตกทำให้ถนนลื่น` (Rain makes the road slippery).

Yes, `ผมไม่ให้หมาขึ้นเตียง` (I don't let the dog on the bed).

`บอกให้` is 'told to' (neutral), while `สั่งให้` is 'ordered to' (strong/formal).

No, 'hâi' as a causative must be followed by the person and the action.

Yes, you can say `ถูกสั่งให้...` (was ordered to...).

It's one of the most versatile words in Thai, acting as a verb (give), a causative (make/let), and a preposition (for).

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

English moderate

make / let / have

Thai uses one word (ให้) where English uses three.

Spanish moderate

hacer / dejar

Spanish requires verb conjugation (hago, haces), while Thai 'hâi' never changes.

German high

lassen

German 'lassen' changes based on the subject (ich lasse, du lässt), Thai 'hâi' is static.

Japanese partial

~させる (~saseru)

Japanese is agglutinative (suffix), Thai is isolating (separate word).

Arabic low

Form II or IV verbs

Arabic uses morphology (changing the word), Thai uses syntax (word order).

Chinese high

让 (ràng) / 使 (shǐ)

The usage of 'shǐ' is more formal in Chinese, whereas Thai uses 'ทำให้' for formal results.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Thai Permissive Grammar: Using `hai` (ให้) for Permission

Related Grammar Rules

B1

The Causative 'Tham-hai' (Make/Cause)

Overview Ever wonder why your Thai friend says they 'made' you do something, like 'The movie made me cry'? In Thai, we d...
B1

Causative 'Hai': Making Things Happen in Thai

Overview Ever wonder how to tell your boss or your Thai roommate to get something done? You don't just order them around...
B1

Thai Permissive Grammar: Using `hai` (ให้) for Permission

Overview You’ve probably noticed Thai speakers often say `hai` (ให้) when they want to let someone do something or give...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!