Using the Subjunctive 'Hai' (ให้)
hai is your primary tool for turning a simple wish into an actionable request in Thai.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The particle 'Hai' (ให้) functions as a versatile tool to express giving, permission, or causation in Thai sentences.
- Use 'Hai' as 'to give': ผมให้เงินเขา (I give money to him).
- Use 'Hai' as 'to let/allow': แม่ให้ไปเที่ยว (Mom lets me go travel).
- Use 'Hai' as 'to cause/make': ทำงานให้เสร็จ (Make the work finish).
Overview
hai (ให้) comes in. Think of it as your linguistic remote control. It doesn’t just mean 'give'; it acts as a bridge between your desires and someone else's actions. Without it, your sentences might sound like a robot reading a grocery list. You use it to make requests, give permissions, or even express a wish for someone's well-being. It is the secret sauce for sounding like a local rather than a textbook.How This Grammar Works
Hai functions as a causative verb or a marker for requests. When you put hai before a verb, you are essentially telling someone to perform that action. It is like saying 'make it so that...' or 'allow that...'. If you are texting your friend to hurry up, you don't just say 'fast'. You use hai to turn that into a polite yet firm request. It’s versatile enough for a stern boss or a sweet Instagram DM. Just remember, it’s not always about 'giving'; it’s about 'enabling' or 'initiating' an action.
Formation Pattern
tam for 'do', pai for 'go').
hai right after the verb.
bork (tell) + hai + kao (him) + ma (come) = 'Tell him to come.'
When To Use It
hai dern tang plod pai). You also need it when you are negotiating, like asking a shopkeeper to lower the price. It’s perfect for those 'Hey, could you do me a favor?' moments on WhatsApp. If you don't use it, people might think you are just stating facts instead of making a move.
Common Mistakes
hai needs an action to follow it when you are giving an instruction. Don't just say 'you hai' and stop; that’s like leaving a cliffhanger in a Netflix series. Another mistake is using it like the English 'to' in every situation. In Thai, hai is specifically for when you want to influence someone's behavior. Don't use it for simple infinitive verbs like 'I want to sleep' (chan yak non); that doesn't need hai because you are doing the sleeping yourself!Contrast With Similar Patterns
hai with hai… dai… (let me/allow me). While hai is about pushing someone else to do something, hai… dai… is more about asking for permission. Think of hai as a gentle nudge and hai… dai… as a polite 'may I?'. Another trap is sua (buy) vs hai (give/let). You might buy someone a drink, but you *let* them drink it. Keep these roles distinct, or you'll end up 'giving' your friends chores they never asked for.Quick FAQ
Can I use hai for myself? A: Usually no, unless you're talking about 'doing it for' someone. Q: Is it rude? A: Not if you add na or krub/ka at the end! Q: Does it change with tense? A: Nope, Thai is chill like that; the verb stays the same regardless of time. Q: Is it used in formal emails? A: Yes, just keep the tone professional and use polite particles. Q: Can I skip it? A: Only if you want to sound like a caveman. Stick to hai to sound smart!
Basic 'Hai' Structures
| Function | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Benefactive
|
Verb + ให้ + Person
|
ซื้อให้แม่
|
|
Permissive
|
ให้ + Person + Verb
|
ให้ฉันไป
|
|
Causative
|
ให้ + Person + Verb
|
ให้เขาทำ
|
|
Negative
|
ไม่ + ให้ + Verb
|
ไม่ให้ทำ
|
|
Question
|
ให้ + Verb + ไหม
|
ให้ไปไหม
|
|
Request
|
Verb + ให้ + หน่อย
|
ช่วยดูให้หน่อย
|
Meanings
A multi-functional particle used to indicate the recipient of an action, permission, or causative force.
Benefactive/Dative
Giving something to someone or doing something for someone.
“ฉันซื้อข้าวให้แม่”
“เขาเขียนจดหมายให้ฉัน”
Permissive
Allowing or permitting someone to perform an action.
“พ่อไม่ให้ไปข้างนอก”
“เจ้านายให้หยุดงาน”
Causative
Causing or making someone do something (similar to 'make' or 'have' in English).
“เขาให้ฉันรอ”
“แม่ให้ลูกกินผัก”
Reference Table
| Structure | English Meaning | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
|
Verb + hai + Person + Verb
|
Tell someone to do X
|
Instructions
|
|
Hai + Subject + Verb
|
Let [someone] do [something]
|
Permission
|
|
Subject + hai + Object + Object
|
Give [object] to [someone]
|
Giving
|
|
Hai + [Adjective]
|
May it be [adjective]
|
Wishing
|
|
Verb + hai + [Me/Us]
|
Do [verb] for me
|
Favor
|
|
Hai + [Time]
|
Give [time] to do it
|
Deadlines
|
Formality Spectrum
กรุณาอนุญาตให้ข้าพเจ้าไป (Asking for permission)
ให้ฉันไปเถอะ (Asking for permission)
ให้ไปหน่อย (Asking for permission)
ปล่อยไปเหอะ (Asking for permission)
The Many Faces of Hai
Causative
- hai pai let go
Benefactive
- tam hai do for
Hai vs. Other Verbs
When to use Hai?
Are you asking someone to do something?
Is it for yourself?
Contextual Usage
Formal
- • Requesting
- • Permitting
Casual
- • Asking
- • Helping
Examples by Level
ฉันให้เงินคุณ
I give money to you
เขาให้ของฉัน
He gives me a gift
แม่ให้ขนม
Mom gives a snack
ให้ฉันหน่อย
Give it to me
แม่ให้ไปเที่ยว
Mom lets me go travel
ครูให้กลับบ้าน
The teacher lets us go home
เขาไม่ให้ไป
He doesn't let me go
ช่วยดูให้หน่อย
Please look at it for me
เจ้านายให้ทำงานเพิ่ม
The boss makes me work more
อย่าให้ใครรู้
Don't let anyone know
เขาให้ฉันรอที่นี่
He makes me wait here
พ่อให้ลูกกินผัก
Dad makes the child eat vegetables
เขาให้ความสำคัญกับงาน
He gives importance to the work
รัฐบาลให้การสนับสนุน
The government gives support
เขาให้ฉันเซ็นเอกสาร
He has me sign the document
คุณช่วยอธิบายให้ชัดเจนได้ไหม
Can you explain it clearly for me?
เขาให้เกียรติแขกผู้ใหญ่
He shows respect to the guests
การตัดสินใจนี้ให้ผลลัพธ์ที่ดี
This decision yields good results
เขาให้โอกาสฉันได้พิสูจน์ตัวเอง
He gives me a chance to prove myself
จงให้ความเมตตาแก่ผู้อื่น
Show mercy to others
เขาให้คำมั่นสัญญาว่าจะมา
He gives his word that he will come
เหตุการณ์นี้ให้บทเรียนแก่เราทุกคน
This event gives a lesson to us all
เขาให้การกับตำรวจอย่างละเอียด
He gives a detailed statement to the police
ความพยายามให้ผลตอบแทนเสมอ
Effort always yields a return
Easily Confused
Learners use 'ส่ง' for everything.
Both can mean 'take/get'.
Both relate to actions.
Common Mistakes
ให้ฉัน
ฉันให้
ซื้อของ
ซื้อของให้
ให้ไปเที่ยว
แม่ให้ไปเที่ยว
ให้เงินเขา
ให้เงินเขา
ให้เขาทำ
ให้เขาทำ
ไม่ให้เขาทำ
ไม่ให้เขาทำ
ให้ฉัน
ทำให้ฉัน
ให้เขาไป
ให้เขาไป
เขาให้ฉัน
เขาให้ฉันทำ
ให้ความสำคัญ
ให้ความสำคัญ
ให้การสนับสนุน
ให้การสนับสนุน
ให้ผลลัพธ์
ให้ผลลัพธ์
ให้เกียรติ
ให้เกียรติ
ให้คำมั่น
ให้คำมั่น
Sentence Patterns
ช่วย ___ ให้หน่อย
แม่ให้ฉัน ___
เขาให้ ___ ทำงาน
ฉันให้ความสำคัญกับ ___
Real World Usage
ส่งรูปให้หน่อย
ผมให้ความสำคัญกับทีมงาน
ช่วยวางไว้ให้หน่อย
ให้รอที่นี่ไหม?
ให้กำลังใจนะ
ครูให้การบ้าน
The 'Help' Factor
hai after a verb often implies you are doing the action *on behalf of* someone else.Avoid Clutter
hai in a single sentence; it can make your Thai sound repetitive.Politeness is Key
hai requests with ka or krub to stay friendly.Smart Tips
Always add 'hai' to make it polite.
Use 'hai' to show the result.
Use 'hai' before the person.
Use 'hai' in compound phrases.
Pronunciation
Tone
Hai is a high tone. Keep it sharp and clear.
Question
ให้ไปไหม? ↑
Rising intonation at the end.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Hai' as a 'Hand-over' particle. It hands over an object, a permission, or a task.
Visual Association
Imagine a hand extending forward. If you are holding a gift, you are 'giving'. If you are holding a gate open, you are 'letting'. If you are pushing someone, you are 'making' them move.
Rhyme
When you give or let or make, use 'Hai' for goodness sake.
Story
I wanted to go to the park. My mom (let) 'hai' me go. I bought a balloon (for) 'hai' my sister. My sister was happy because I (made) 'hai' her laugh.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences using 'Hai' in different ways (give, let, make) and read them aloud.
Cultural Notes
Using 'hai' shows politeness when asking for favors. It softens the command.
Derived from ancient Tai roots meaning 'to give'.
Conversation Starters
คุณให้ใครยืมเงินบ้างไหม?
พ่อแม่ให้คุณไปเที่ยวไหม?
คุณให้ความสำคัญกับอะไรมากที่สุด?
ช่วยส่งไฟล์นี้ให้หน่อยได้ไหม?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Please tell him to come: Bork ___ kao ma.
hai to introduce the action you want someone to take.Choose the grammatically correct way to say 'Let me go':
hai comes before the person and the action.Find and fix the mistake:
Khao tam (He does) - make it a request to him.
hai at the start of the clause.Score: /3
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesแม่ ___ ฉันไปเที่ยว
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
ซื้อของฉัน
เขาไป -> Make him go
ให้ = ?
อย่า ___ ใครรู้
Which is formal?
ให้ / ฉัน / ไป / แม่
Score: /8
Practice Bank
3 exercises___ nam chan.
Chan hai pai -> (I let go)
ma / hai / bork / kao
Score: /3
FAQ (8)
No, it also means let and make.
Before the person or the verb.
It can be both formal and informal.
Check your word order.
Yes, it is very similar to 'gěi'.
Put 'mai' before it.
Yes, add 'mai' at the end.
Yes, very often.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
dar/dejar
Thai uses one word for two distinct Spanish verbs.
donner/laisser
Context determines the meaning in Thai.
geben/lassen
Thai is more efficient.
ageru/kureru
Japanese is hierarchical; Thai is not.
给 (gěi)
Very similar usage patterns.
أعطى (a'ta)
Thai uses a particle, Arabic uses verbs.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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