A2 Basic Verbs 3 min read Fácil

O marcador de identidade em tailandês: usando `keu` (คือ)

Use keu (คือ) only when you are defining one noun as another, like an equals sign.
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Pratique

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'keu' (คือ) to equate two nouns, like saying 'A is B' in English.

  • Use 'keu' to define a noun: 'Nee keu phasa Thai' (This is Thai language).
  • Do not use 'keu' for adjectives; use 'pen' or just the adjective instead.
  • In negative sentences, use 'mai chai' instead of 'mai keu'.
Noun A + คือ (keu) + Noun B

Overview

(Portuguese translation content)

Meanings

The particle 'keu' functions as an identity marker, equating two noun phrases. It is the closest equivalent to the English verb 'to be' when defining or identifying something.

1

Identity/Definition

Equating two nouns or identifying an object.

“นี่คือบ้านของเขา”

“นั่นคือครูของฉัน”

Keu Usage Table

Type Structure Example
Affirmative A + keu + B นี่คือบ้าน
Negative A + mai chai + B นี่ไม่ใช่บ้าน
Question A + keu + B + mai นี่คือบ้านไหม
Emphasis A + keu + B + jing jing นี่คือบ้านจริงๆ

Reference Table

Reference table for O marcador de identidade em tailandês: usando `keu` (คือ)
Type Thai English Usage
Identity A `keu` B A is B Definition
Negation A `mai keu` B A is not B Contrast
Question A `keu` B `mai`? Is A B? Inquiry
Emphasis A `ni keu` B This here is B Pointing out
Casual A `keu` B A is B Daily speech
Formal A `keu` B A is B Introduction

Espectro de formalidade

Formal
นี่คือบ้านของข้าพเจ้า

นี่คือบ้านของข้าพเจ้า (Introducing your home)

Neutro
นี่คือบ้านของฉัน

นี่คือบ้านของฉัน (Introducing your home)

Informal
นี่บ้านเรา

นี่บ้านเรา (Introducing your home)

Gíria
บ้านเราเอง

บ้านเราเอง (Introducing your home)

The Keu Equation

Keu

Use Case

  • Identity Who/What is it?

Keu vs Pen

Keu
A = B Definition
Pen
A is [State] Condition

When to use Keu

1

Is the second word a noun?

YES
Use Keu
NO
Do not use Keu

Keu Categories

✅

Correct Usage

  • • Name
  • • Object
  • • Role
Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

1

นี่คือแมว

This is a cat.

2

นั่นคือโต๊ะ

That is a table.

3

นี่คือบ้าน

This is a house.

4

นี่คือปากกา

This is a pen.

1

นี่ไม่ใช่ปากกา

This is not a pen.

2

นี่คือเพื่อนของฉัน

This is my friend.

3

นั่นคือรถของคุณใช่ไหม

Is that your car?

4

สิ่งที่เขาพูดคือความจริง

What he said is the truth.

1

เป้าหมายของโครงการนี้คือการลดขยะ

The goal of this project is to reduce waste.

2

ปัญหาหลักคือเวลาไม่พอ

The main problem is not enough time.

3

สิ่งที่ฉันต้องการคือความสงบ

What I want is peace.

4

เหตุผลคือเขาไม่ว่าง

The reason is he is not free.

1

นั่นคือเหตุผลที่ฉันมาที่นี่

That is the reason I came here.

2

สิ่งที่น่าสนใจคือเขารู้เรื่องนี้

The interesting thing is that he knows this.

3

ความหมายคือเราต้องเริ่มใหม่

The meaning is we must start over.

4

ทางเลือกเดียวคือการยอมรับ

The only choice is to accept.

1

สิ่งที่เขาพยายามสื่อคือความไม่พอใจ

What he is trying to convey is dissatisfaction.

2

แก่นแท้ของเรื่องนี้คือความรัก

The essence of this matter is love.

3

สิ่งที่สำคัญที่สุดคือการเรียนรู้

The most important thing is learning.

4

นั่นคือสิ่งที่ทำให้เขาโดดเด่น

That is what makes him stand out.

1

สิ่งที่ปรากฏคือความว่างเปล่า

What appears is emptiness.

2

นั่นคือสิ่งที่บ่งบอกถึงความสำเร็จ

That is what indicates success.

3

สิ่งที่เขาต้องการคือการยอมรับจากสังคม

What he wants is social acceptance.

4

นั่นคือจุดเปลี่ยนของประวัติศาสตร์

That is the turning point of history.

Fácil de confundir

The Thai Identity Marker: Using `keu` (คือ) vs Keu vs Pen

Both translate to 'to be'.

Erros comuns

✗

เขาคือสวย

✓

เขาสวย

Keu cannot be used with adjectives.
✗

นี่ไม่คือปากกา

✓

นี่ไม่ใช่ปากกา

Negative of keu is mai chai.
✗

เขาคือหมอ

✓

เขาเป็นหมอ

Profession uses 'pen'.
✗

สิ่งที่เขาทำคือผิด

✓

สิ่งที่เขาทำนั้นผิด

Adjectives don't need keu.

Padrões de frases

นี่คือ ___

Real World Usage

Social Media constant

นี่คือรูปใหม่ของฉัน

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos
💡

The Equals Sign Trick

If you can replace the word with an '=' sign in your head, keu is the right choice.
⚠️

Adjective Alert

Never use keu before adjectives like 'happy', 'tall', or 'fast'. It's a common trap!
💬

Social Media Speak

In casual Thai texting, you'll often see keu used as a filler word, similar to 'like' in English.

Smart Tips

Use keu for nouns only.

เขาคือฉลาด → เขาฉลาด

Pronúncia

kɯː

Tone

Keu is a mid-tone word.

Statement

นี่คือบ้าน ↘

Neutral declaration

Memorize

Mnemônico

Keu is the 'Equals' sign. If you can put an '=' between two words, use 'keu'.

Associação visual

Imagine a giant neon '=' sign floating between two objects, like a book and a table.

Rhyme

When you want to say 'is', use 'keu' for nouns, but never for biz (adjectives).

Story

I pointed at a cat. 'Nee keu maew' (This is a cat). Then I pointed at my friend. 'Nee keu friend'. It's the ultimate labeling tool.

Word Web

คือไม่ใช่ใช่ไหมความหมายสิ่งที่นั่นคือ

Desafio

Label 5 items in your room using 'Nee keu [item]'.

Notas culturais

Thais often drop 'keu' in casual speech if the meaning is clear.

Derived from ancient Tai identity markers.

Iniciadores de conversa

“

นี่คืออะไร?

Temas para diário

Describe 3 things in your bag.
Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank

Nii ___ phuean khong chan.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keu
Keu is used to equate the subject 'Nii' (this) to the object 'phuean' (friend).
Which sentence is correct? Múltipla escolha

Choose the grammatically correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Chan keu khon.
Keu must be followed by a noun (khon = person). 'Suay' is an adjective, and 'pai' is a verb.
Find and fix the mistake Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Khao keu nueai.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Khao nueai.
You cannot use keu with the adjective 'nueai' (tired). Just drop the keu.

Score: /3

Exercicios praticos

1 exercises
Fill in the blank.

นี่ ___ ปากกา

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: คือ
Keu is used for identity.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

5 exercises
Fill in the blank Preencher as lacunas

Nii ___ aahaan.

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

Nii keu yai.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nii yai.
Reorder the words Sentence Reorder

khong / chan / keu / nii / aahaan

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nii keu aahaan khong chan
Translate to Thai Tradução

This is my book.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nii keu nang-sue khong chan
Pick the right one Múltipla escolha

Which one uses `keu` correctly?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nii keu phom.

Score: /5

Perguntas frequentes (1)

No, use the color word directly or 'pen'.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Cadastre-se grátis para praticar

In Other Languages

Spanish partial

ser

Keu cannot be used with adjectives.

French partial

être

Keu is noun-only.

German partial

sein

Keu is noun-only.

Japanese moderate

desu

Keu is noun-only.

Chinese high

是 (shì)

Shì is more flexible with adjectives.

Arabic low

implied

Keu is an explicit particle.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Verbo de localização: Como usar `yu` (estar em)
Next
...

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