Learning Classifiers in Thai - Ajarn Forum

Capricious · 4th February 2008, 15:12

I've been learning to read and write Thai lately, and I was just sitting here thinking that not knowing all the classifiers is probably going to really hurt my reading ability. At this point I probably know about 10 classifiers of the 37, and use them correctly most of the time

I never studied the classifiers on their own, just learned them through usual Thai study. Did anyone just sit down and memorize them? Some of the groupings are so random I think it would be a major pain in the ass to memorize them?

Looking for some advice from someone a bit more advanced in their study than me. I feel like I am on the brink of bringing my Thai to the next level in a month or two, and I'd like to not fuck it up by missing something I indefinately should have studied. I just feel that I understand the classifiers better when I have learned them gradually, but naturally.

Stamp · 4th February 2008, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capricious

Did anyone just sit down and memorize them?

Yes.

Classifier Nouns in the Thai Language

We let our kids memorise too when we teach about uncountable nouns. A carton of milk, a plate of cheese, a slice of ham, a bottle of water, etc.

Stamp
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Capricious

Looking for some advice from someone a bit more advanced in their study than me.

I'm not sure.

Stamp

Capricious · 6th February 2008, 07:38

Thanks Stamp, that was a big help.

Boonmee · 10th February 2008, 20:28

Just had a look at that site, and at the risk of sounding pedantic (because Ajarn Richard's done a damn good job) the word "Ong" is not applicable to monks - only to Buddhas/ Buddha images (as in the example given in Thai). Only the word "Roop" is used for monks. Although you may hear some Thais using the word "ong" for monks all the time, it is not in fact correct; if it comes to taking an exam in the language, that could matter....

A short-cut to the classifiers is just to use the noun as a classifier; "2 dogs" becomes "Maa sawng Maa", for example. However, if following this system, "2 eggs" should be rendered "Fawng sawng Fawng" (not "Kai sawng kai"). And it won't work for things like paper, where (as in English:"2 sheets of paper" - not "2 papers") the appropriate classifier needs to be used.

For taking the language to the next level, there is a really good little book on Raachaasap (Royal language) which you can get. It includes really comprehensive stuff on classifiers, the correct way to refer to monks and royalty, the different ranks of royalty, etc. You'll end up knowing more than the Thais. Also, as the whole book is written in Thai, it's really good for improving one's use of the language at the same time.

Stamp · 10th February 2008, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boonmee

You'll end up knowing more than the Thais.

That's very good for communicating with Thais! Good advice. Ich über alles!

Stamp

Boonmee · 10th February 2008, 23:05

Wasn't meant literally, mate, although it has to be said that alot of what's in that book is not common knowledge among uneducated Thais.

That's not me being arrogant saying that, either: just watch "Game Sretii" and you'll see how little of Raachaasap is known by the average Thai.

What I was trying to say is that you can learn a lot from that book. Cool your boots, Stampie.