What is your name? #1
One of the first things you are asked in Thailand when you initially meet some-one is what your name is.
| Phonetic | Thai | English |
|---|---|---|
|
(Kun) cªheu ³a- ry?  |
คุณชื่ออะไร |
What is your name? (You name what?) |
|
Cªheu Mªahk |
ชื่อมาร์ค |
My name is Mark |
|
Cªheu Joo-l§ee |
ชื่อจูลี่ |
My name is Julie |
|
Nahm ³sa-gun ³a-ry? |
นามสกุลภูสีน้ำ |
What is your surname? (Surname what?) (1) |
|
Nahm ³sa-gun Poo-s™ee-n°am |
นามสกุลภูสีน้ำ |
My surname is Poo-s™ee-n°am |
- (1) It is unlikely you will be asked your surname except when involved in official form filling situations, such as at the bank. Historically Thai people didn’t have family surnames. They were introduced to Thailand in the early 20th century to aid bureaucracy, and to emulate the Western tradition. Surnames are rarely used in everyday social interactions.
On formal occasions, the title ‘kun’ (a polite title used to address people that is roughly equivalent to how we use the title Mr. and Mrs. in the West) is pre-fixed before someone’s name. However, the word ‘kun’ is followed by the person’s first name not the surname. E.g. A Mr. Doy Tumaloo would be known as Kun Doy, not Kun Tumaloo. As a consequence of this custom, a farang will often be addressed by English speaking Thai people in a similar manner using the English ‘Mr.’. E.g. A farang called John Fatbottom will be known as Mr. John and not Mr. Fatbottom as he would in the West.
Games for this lesson
The following games draw upon the content from this lesson and any prior lessons.
