Lesson 40
Thai Numerals
Reading
In this lesson we'll look at Thai numerals, as used (amongst other things) to hide egregious dual pricing from foreign tourists. They are as follows:
| Character | Pronunciation | Latin | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ๐ | /sǔun/ | 0 | This character is an oval on its side, unlike the vertical Roman 0. |
| ๑ | /nʉ̀ŋ/ | 1 | Contrast with ด |
| ๒ | /sɔ̌ɔŋ/ | 2 | |
| ๓ | /sǎam/ | 3 | |
| ๔ | /sìi/ | 4 | |
| ๕ | /hâa/ | 5 | Contrast with ๔ |
| ๖ | /hòk/ | 6 | |
| ๗ | /cèt/ | 7 | Contrast with ๓ |
| ๘ | /pɛ̀ɛt/ | 8 | Contrast with ๔ |
| ๙ | /kâaw/ | 9 |
Click on "Play" to practise reading these numerals.
Now try reading these numerals. How fast can you go? For extra practice you can read them down as well as across.
And now try reading these numbers. For example, 1,234,567 is read as หนึ่งล้านสองแสนสามหมื่นสี่พันห้าร้อยหกสิบเจ็ด /nʉ̀ŋ láan sɔ̌ɔŋ sɛ̌ɛn sǎam mʉ̀ʉn sìi phan hâa rɔ́ɔy hòk sìp cèt/.
Writing
Whilst regular characters such as ก, ค and ม are written to fit into a standard proportioned vertical box, the numbers are written to fit into an horizontal box. Compare the following:
Note that the consonants are taller than the numbers, and that the numbers are slightly wider than the consonants.
Start at the top right, drawing the character anticlockwise.
Start by drawing the loop clockwise.
Start by drawing the loop clockwise.
Start by drawing the loop clockwise.
Start by drawing the loop anticlockwise.
Very similar to ๔, but with a loop in the tail.
Start by drawing the loop anticlockwise.
Start by drawing the loop clockwise.
Start by drawing the loop clockwise.
Start by drawing the loop clockwise. Lift your pen before adding the "tail".