Thai word
เอา
ao
拿/要
How to pronounce เอา
Mid tone
Flat, neutral level — like a normal speaking tone
เอา is written ao and carries the mid tone. Listen first, then copy the pitch — in Thai the pitch belongs to the word the way a vowel does.
Same syllable, five tones
Thai uses pitch to tell words apart. Below is the same syllable on each of the five tones — nothing changes but the pitch. Say your word (highlighted) on one of the other four and a Thai listener hears a different word, or none at all.
- เอา
ao
Mid tone
-
ào
Low tone
-
âo
Falling tone
-
ǎo
Rising tone
-
áo
High tone
What does เอา mean?
Translation
拿/要
เอา (ao) means "拿/要" in Thai.
Example sentences
ไม่เอาครับ
mâi ao khráp
不用了，谢谢。
ไม่เอาผักนะครับ เอาแต่เนื้อ
mâi ao pàk ná kráp ao tàe núea
不要蔬菜，只要肉。
เอาข้าวผัดครับ
ao khâao phàt khráp
我要炒饭。
Test yourself
One word from the same tone group. Its meaning is not on this page — see whether it stuck.
What does this word mean?
ไซส์
sai
Related words
More words with the mid tone — the same pitch shape, different words.
Ready to get started?
18 lessons free.
No credit card.
Tones, sounds & basic grammar free · Upgrade when you're ready
Start for free →