A1 Questions 3 min read Easy

The Thai Question Particle (ไหม)

Simply place mai at the end of your sentence to turn any statement into a yes/no question.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Add 'mai' (ไหม) to the end of any statement to turn it into a yes/no question.

  • Place 'mai' at the very end of a sentence: 'Khun sabai dee mai?' (Are you well?)
  • Do not change the word order of the original statement: 'You eat rice' becomes 'You eat rice mai?'
  • Use a rising intonation at the end of the sentence when speaking.
Statement + ไหม (mai) = Question?

Overview

Ever wonder why every Thai question you hear on Netflix sounds like it ends in a tiny, polite pop? That is mai (ไหม). It is the ultimate Swiss Army knife for asking yes/no questions in Thai. You do not need to change your word order or use fancy auxiliary verbs like in English. Just tack mai onto the end of a sentence, and boom—it is a question. Think of it as a vocal question mark that you add to your texts or spoken sentences. It makes your Thai sound natural, polite, and instantly understandable.

How This Grammar Works

Thai is a tonal language, but mai is the shortcut that saves you from needing to master complex structures early on. When you want to verify something—like if your friend is hungry or if the cafe is open—you just say the statement and add mai at the very end. It acts as a bridge between a simple statement and an inquiry. It is low-effort, high-reward communication. You are essentially turning a declarative sentence into a request for confirmation. No need to stress about subject-verb inversion or "do/does" support. Just state it, add mai, and wait for the "yes" or "no".

Formation Pattern

1
Start with your base statement (e.g., "You are tired").
2
Add the particle mai at the end.
3
Make sure to raise your pitch slightly at the very end to signal a question.
4
Example formula: [Statement] + mai?

When To Use It

Use mai whenever you need a binary answer. It is perfect for ordering food via Grab, asking a local for directions, or clarifying a plan with a friend on LINE. If you are at a bubble tea shop and want to know if they have brown sugar pearls, just ask "Have pearls mai?" It is casual, friendly, and works in almost every social setting. Whether you are chatting with a classmate or a street vendor, mai is your best friend.

Common Mistakes

Many beginners try to translate English "Do/Does" directly into Thai. You do not need to add extra words for "do." Another common slip is forgetting the rising intonation. If you say mai with a flat tone, it sounds like "no" (ไม่). Keep that pitch high to show you are asking, not denying. Don't overthink the word order; Thai is flexible, but mai always stays at the end of the question.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Unlike mai (question particle), the word mai (with a low tone) means "no" or "not." They sound similar but have different tones. You will also see mai used alongside reu (or), but that is for more complex choices. Keep it simple for now. Think of mai as your "is it true?" button. If you are curious if something is the case, mai is the only tool you need to get the conversation moving.

Quick FAQ

Q

Does mai change if I am talking to a girl or a boy?

Nope! mai is gender-neutral. It works for everyone.

Q

Can I use it for "who" or "where" questions?

Not really. mai is for yes/no. Use other question words for "who/what/where".

Q

Is it rude to use it?

Not at all, it is standard. Just add krub or ka for extra polish.

3. Basic Question Formation

Statement Add Particle Question Meaning
Khun pai
mai
Khun pai mai?
Are you going?
Khun chob
mai
Khun chob mai?
Do you like it?
Ahan aroi
mai
Ahan aroi mai?
Is the food good?
Khao ma
mai
Khao ma mai?
Is he coming?
Khun sabai
mai
Khun sabai mai?
Are you well?
Khun khao jai
mai
Khun khao jai mai?
Do you understand?

Common Conversational Shortening

Full Form Shortened Form Context
Khun pai mai?
Pai mai?
Very casual
Khun chob mai?
Chob mai?
Very casual

Meanings

The particle 'mai' (ไหม) is used to transform a declarative sentence into a yes/no question.

1

Yes/No Question

Used to ask for confirmation or information.

“ไปไหม (Pai mai?) - Are you going?”

“ชอบไหม (Chob mai?) - Do you like it?”

Reference Table

Reference table for The Thai Question Particle (ไหม)
Type Thai English
Question Particle
ไหม
mai (yes/no)
Negation
ไม่
mai (no/not)
Statement
กินข้าว
Eat rice
Question
กินข้าวไหม
Eat rice?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
คุณจะไปไหมครับ/คะ

คุณจะไปไหมครับ/คะ (Asking about travel)

Neutral
คุณไปไหม

คุณไปไหม (Asking about travel)

Informal
ไปไหม

ไปไหม (Asking about travel)

Slang
ไปป่ะ

ไปป่ะ (Asking about travel)

The Question Particle

Question Particle

Usage

  • Yes/No Binary choice

Mai vs Mai

Question (High Tone)
ไหม Question?
Negative (Low Tone)
ไม่ No/Not

How to ask

1

Have a statement?

YES
Add 'mai' at the end
NO
Create statement first
2

Is it a yes/no question?

YES
Use 'mai'
NO ↓

When to use

💬

Social

  • • Asking friends
  • • Confirming plans
  • • Ordering food
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Examples by Level

1

คุณหิวไหม

Are you hungry?

2

ไปไหม

Are you going?

3

ชอบไหม

Do you like it?

4

เข้าใจไหม

Do you understand?

1

คุณจะไปที่นั่นไหม

Are you going there?

2

อาหารอร่อยไหม

Is the food delicious?

3

เขามาไหม

Is he coming?

4

คุณมีเวลาไหม

Do you have time?

1

คุณคิดว่าเขาจะมาไหม

Do you think he will come?

2

งานนี้สนุกไหม

Is this event fun?

3

คุณเคยไปที่นั่นไหม

Have you ever been there?

4

เรื่องนี้สำคัญไหม

Is this matter important?

1

คุณแน่ใจไหมว่าเขาพูดจริง

Are you sure he is telling the truth?

2

การตัดสินใจนี้ส่งผลกระทบไหม

Does this decision have an impact?

3

คุณเห็นด้วยกับแผนนี้ไหม

Do you agree with this plan?

4

เราควรจะเริ่มกันเลยไหม

Should we start right now?

1

คุณตระหนักถึงความเสี่ยงไหม

Are you aware of the risks?

2

สถานการณ์นี้เอื้ออำนวยไหม

Is this situation favorable?

3

คุณมีข้อโต้แย้งไหม

Do you have any counterarguments?

4

การเปลี่ยนแปลงนี้มีนัยสำคัญไหม

Is this change significant?

1

คุณพิจารณาถึงผลกระทบในระยะยาวไหม

Have you considered the long-term implications?

2

ข้อเสนอนี้สอดคล้องกับนโยบายไหม

Is this proposal consistent with the policy?

3

คุณเห็นพ้องกับแนวทางนี้ไหม

Do you concur with this approach?

4

บริบทนี้สะท้อนถึงวัฒนธรรมไหม

Does this context reflect the culture?

Easily Confused

The Thai Question Particle (ไหม) vs Mai (Question) vs Mai (Negative)

They sound similar to beginners.

The Thai Question Particle (ไหม) vs Mai vs Rue Plao

Both ask yes/no questions.

The Thai Question Particle (ไหม) vs Mai vs Rue

Both are question particles.

Common Mistakes

✗

Do you go?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Don't translate English 'do' into Thai.
✗

Khun mai pai?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Confusing negative 'mai' with question 'mai'.
✗

Pai?

✓

Pai mai?

Forgetting the particle.
✗

Khun pai mai khrap?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Over-complicating with polite particles (though polite, focus on the grammar first).
✗

Khun pai rue?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Using 'rue' incorrectly for yes/no.
✗

Khun pai mai plao?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Redundant particles.
✗

Khun pai mai mai?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Doubling up.
✗

Khun pai mai rue plao?

✓

Khun pai rue plao?

Mixing particles.
✗

Khun pai mai chai mai?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Adding 'chai' (is it) unnecessarily.
✗

Khun pai mai ka?

✓

Khun pai mai khrap/ka?

Tone mismatch.
✗

Khun pai mai rue yang?

✓

Khun pai rue yang?

Using 'mai' when 'yang' (yet) is needed.
✗

Khun pai mai ha?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Using wrong particles for register.
✗

Khun pai mai na?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Adding 'na' (softener) to a question.
✗

Khun pai mai rue?

✓

Khun pai mai?

Using 'rue' as a question marker.

Sentence Patterns

Khun ___ mai?

Ahan ___ mai?

Khun mee ___ mai?

Khun chob ___ mai?

Real World Usage

Ordering food constant

Aroi mai?

Texting friends very common

Pai mai?

Job interview common

Khun mee kam tham mai?

Travel very common

Pai [place] mai?

Social media common

Chob mai?

Food delivery apps occasional

Phed mai?

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💡

Tone matters

High tone for ไหม (question), low tone for ไม่ (no).
⚠️

Don't overcomplicate

You don't need 'Do' or 'Does'. Just keep it simple!
💬

Politeness

Add ครับ (male) or ค่ะ (female) after ไหม to be extra polite.

Smart Tips

Use a rising intonation at the end.

Khun pai mai (flat) → Khun pai mai? (rising)

Listen to the context; if it's a question, it's the high-tone 'mai'.

Khun mai pai (negative) → Khun pai mai? (question)

Always add 'khrap' or 'ka' after 'mai'.

Khun pai mai? → Khun pai mai khrap?

Use 'rue plao' if you think the answer might be 'no'.

Khun pai mai? → Khun pai rue plao?

Pronunciation

mai (high) vs mài (falling)

Tone of 'mai'

The question 'mai' has a high tone. The negative 'mai' has a falling tone.

Rising

Khun pai mai↑

Signals a question and expectation of an answer.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'mai' as a 'My' question—'My' question needs an answer!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant question mark (?) made of the Thai word 'ไหม' floating at the end of every sentence you speak.

Rhyme

When you want to know if it's true or not, add 'mai' to the end of the spot.

Story

You are at a market. You point at a mango and say 'Aroi' (delicious). You add 'mai' to make it 'Aroi mai?'. The vendor smiles and says 'Aroi!'. You just learned how to ask a question!

Word Web

ไหมคำถามใช่ไม่หรือถาม

Challenge

Ask 5 people today 'Sabai dee mai?' (Are you well?) and listen for their responses.

Cultural Notes

Standard usage, very polite when combined with 'khrap/ka'.

Often uses different particles like 'ka' or 'ko' for questions.

Uses 'bo' instead of 'mai'.

The particle 'mai' evolved from an ancient interrogative marker in Tai languages.

Conversation Starters

“

Khun sabai dee mai?

“

Ahan aroi mai?

“

Khun mee wela mai?

“

Khun khao jai rueang nee mai?

Journal Prompts

Write 3 questions you would ask a new friend.
Describe your day and ask if your friend had a good day.
Ask 3 questions about a movie you watched.
Write a dialogue where you ask about travel plans.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank

คุณชอบดูหนัง___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ไหม
Use ไหม to create a yes/no question.
Which sentence is correct? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct question:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ไปเที่ยวไหม
The particle ไหม indicates a question.

Score: /2

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Add the correct particle.

Khun pai ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mai
Mai is the question particle.
Which is the correct question? Multiple Choice

A) Do you go? B) Khun pai mai?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
Thai doesn't use 'do'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Do khun chob mai?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Khun chob mai?
Remove 'do'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

mai / Khun / pai

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Khun pai mai
Subject + Verb + Particle.
Translate to Thai. Translation

Are you hungry?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Khun hiw mai?
Khun (you) hiw (hungry) mai (particle).
Match the question to the meaning. Match Pairs

1. Sabai dee mai? 2. Aroi mai?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1. Are you well? 2. Is it tasty?
Sabai dee = well, Aroi = tasty.
Build a question from 'Khun' and 'chob'. Sentence Building

Build it.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Khun chob mai?
Subject + Verb + Particle.
Which particle is for questions? Multiple Choice

Choose one.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ไหม
ไหม is the question particle.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

2 exercises
Add the correct particle Fill in the Blank

วันนี้เหนื่อย___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ไหม
Fix the sentence Error Correction

คุณไปโรงเรียนไม่?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: คุณไปโรงเรียนไหม?

Score: /2

FAQ (8)

Yes, it is a sentence-final particle.

Yes, it works for 'I', 'you', 'he', 'she', etc.

Your sentence will sound like a statement, not a question.

It is neutral and used in all settings.

Repeat the verb or use 'chai' (yes) / 'mai chai' (no).

No, the verb stays the same.

No, those use their own question words.

No, they have different tones.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Chinese high

ma (吗)

Chinese 'ma' is neutral tone; Thai 'mai' is high tone.

Japanese moderate

ka (か)

Japanese 'ka' is more formal; Thai 'mai' is used everywhere.

English low

Do/Does

Thai does not change word order.

Spanish low

Intonation

Thai requires a particle for clarity.

French partial

Est-ce que

Position of the marker.

German none

Verb inversion

Thai structure remains fixed.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
Thai Question Words (Arai/Tee-nai/Krai)

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