ไหม
[yes-no question particle]
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 [yes-no question particle]、do you ...?、is it ...?、would you like to ...?、can ...?、is that right?
- 2 silk、silk thread、silkworm
ไหม is most commonly a sentence-final particle that turns a statement into a yes-no question. As a noun, it refers to silk, silk thread, or the silkworm that produces it.
In colloquial speech, it is often pronounced máy.
[yes-no question particle]、do you ...?、is it ...?、would you like to ...?、can ...?、is that right?
Placed at the end of a clause, it asks whether something is true, possible, acceptable, or desired. It also appears in common patterns for invitations, requests, and confirmation.
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คุณสบายดีไหม khun sabaay dii mǎy Are you doing well? คุณสบายดีไหม details
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มีปัญหาอะไรไหม mii panhǎa aray mǎy Is there any problem? มีปัญหาอะไรไหม details
Show more (3)
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ไปด้วยกันไหม pay dûay kan mǎy Do you want to go together? ไปด้วยกันไหม details
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ขอถ่ายรูปได้ไหม khɔ̌ɔ thàay rûup dâay mǎy Can I take a photo? ขอถ่ายรูปได้ไหม details
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คุณเป็นคนญี่ปุ่นใช่ไหม khun pen khon yîipùn chây mǎy You’re Japanese, right? คุณเป็นคนญี่ปุ่นใช่ไหม details
silk、silk thread、silkworm
As a noun, it refers to silk, silk thread, and sometimes the silkworm. It is common in words about fabric, clothing, weaving, and Thai silk products.
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ผ้าไหมไทย phâa mǎy thay Thai silk ผ้าไหมไทย details
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เสื้อไหม sʉ̂a mǎy a silk shirt / silk clothing เสื้อไหม details
Show more (1)
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เลี้ยงไหม líaŋ mǎy to raise silkworms เลี้ยงไหม details
Learning notes
Explanation
As a question particle, ไหม is placed at the end of a statement to make a yes-no question. It is very common in short everyday questions such as เผ็ดไหม “Is it spicy?” and ว่างไหม “Are you free?” The pattern ได้ไหม can mean “can I/you,” “may I,” or “could you,” depending on context, while ใช่ไหม means “right?” or “is that correct?” In casual writing, มั้ย is also common, but ไหม is the standard spelling. As a noun, ไหม belongs to the silk-related vocabulary used for fabric, clothing, weaving, and Thai silk products.
Usage
You hear ไหม constantly in everyday conversation: shopping, restaurants, travel, phone calls, requests, confirmations, and invitations. The noun meaning is used when talking about fabric, clothing, souvenirs, crafts, and materials.
Caution
As a particle, ไหม normally goes at the end of the clause. Do not place it inside the sentence the way some languages place question words. Also keep it separate from ไหม้ “to burn” and ใหม่ “new,” which are different words.
Differences from similar words
1 [yes-no question particle] synonyms
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หรือเปล่า also makes a yes-no question and is often used for checking facts. ไหม is shorter and very conversational, and it naturally asks about someone’s willingness, opinion, or whether something is possible.
2 silk synonyms
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เส้นไหม emphasizes silk thread as a strand or fiber. ไหม is broader and can refer to silk, silk thread, or the silkworm depending on context.