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Thai word

ซ้าย

sáai

High tone

How to pronounce ซ้าย

High Low

High tone

High and flat, slightly falling at the end

ซ้าย is written sáai and carries the high 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.

  1. saai

    Mid tone

  2. sàai

    Low tone

  3. sâai

    Falling tone

  4. sǎai

    Rising tone

  5. sáai

    High tone

    ซ้าย

What does ซ้าย mean?

Translation

ซ้าย (sáai) means "左" in Thai.

Tone: High tone Frequency: #35 neutral

Example sentences

ตรงไปก่อนแล้วเลี้ยวซ้ายครับ

dtrong bpai gòn láew líaw sáai kráp

先直走,然后左转。

เลี้ยวขวาแล้วอยู่ข้างหน้าทางซ้ายมือครับ

líaw kwǎa láew yùu kâang-nâa taang sáai meu kráp

右转,它就在您左手边前面。

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?

ใช้

chái

More words with the high tone — the same pitch shape, different words.

Learn more about Thai tones

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