Eng Words Thai Use in the Wrong Sense

Yanqui · 14th April 2007 19:42

A Thai English teacher who scored the lowest among her colleagues on an English language proficiency exam said she came in topless.

**Lor Ling** · 14th April 2007 19:50

Slim Up Clinic (nationwide chain?) should of course be called Slim Down Clinic!

**watdog** · 14th April 2007 19:52

love

**cocosan** · 14th April 2007 20:10

many times im asked 'are you OK' they mean well but i always worry i may look sick.

**Classic-Chassis** · 14th April 2007 20:43

Originally Posted by Lor Ling

Slim Up Clinic (nationwide chain?) should of course be called Slim Down Clinic!

isn't that depending on which side of the atlantic you come from? a bit like slow up/down

**Lor Ling** · 14th April 2007 20:46

Originally Posted by Classic-Chassis

isn't that depending on which side of the atlantic you come from? a bit like slow up/down

Hadn't thunk about it like that.

Just assumed that as one's weight went down, one would be slimming down.

Do Americans say "Slow up" then?

**tomcat** · 14th April 2007 22:06

Some do...some don't...it's correct either way

**columbia** · 14th April 2007 23:21

Limousine- A 4 year old Toyota Camry isn't exactly living it large Sultan of Brunei style.

Resort- !2 wooden shacks around a stagnant pond do not a resort make.

**SunsetSam** · 15th April 2007 05:22

Originally Posted by Lor Ling

Thais seem to use a yes to confirm a no, if that makes sense.

Works the same in Spanish
Mi intiendes, no¿ = you understand me, yes?
-----

Originally Posted by Lor Ling

Do Americans say "Slow up" then?

Slow down is the most common here.
Exam: "Slow down" what's your hurry? Exercise and eating right will "slim down" your beer gut.

**KeyBoneMak** · 15th April 2007 11:10

"You no take care me, Mac!"
True meaning: I will keep saying this whenever I see something I want, and crying crocodile tears, until I am satisfied you have given me all your money.

"Yes, we can do for you."
Translation: We will take your money and then give you whatever we think is good enough even though you specifically asked for something else IN THAI.

"We will get you a work permit."
Translation: We may provide you a work permit if Chester Grill opens a franchise in hell.

"One of the top school in Bangkok."
No need to translate because just about every school says this so it is meaningless. But even if it were, given the standards here, what does it really mean?

"We will honor your contract."
I don't really need to comment on this, do I?

**the antithesis** · 15th April 2007 23:38

Originally Posted by Classic-Chassis

serious means cr-et...they also say mia dong pen cr-et which means "don't be serious"
I found thias tend to use serious to talk about stressful....i can't find a translation for this.

Yeah, interesting points.

The causes of stress are often the result of a more exhaustive thought load. In Thailand, Thai soaps are testament to just how taxing thought can be. Perhaps a more complete definition of 'serious' as the Thais use it neccesarily incorporates 'thinking too much' and its consequent 'stress'.

'Bored' is often used by Thais to translate either the state of being bored or fed-up, often causing confusion. For example:

" I am bored with my boss's demands" is really meant to mean " I am fed-up with my boss's demands." Fed-up would better imply the sense of a more active anger towards the boss, whereas bored just seems way to passive in context.

**Hootad Binky** · 16th April 2007 00:53

"Up to you" which really means "I don't know."

**the antithesis** · 17th April 2007 00:16

" He is a joker" is usually meant to mean " He is a comedian..."

**WilliamBlake** · 17th April 2007 10:47

"Are you dericious?" (Although ya gotta love that one..)

"How are you?" (For "How old are you?")

"Where did you go?" (For "Where have you been?" / "What have you been doing?")

**the antithesis** · 17th April 2007 13:17

Originally Posted by columbia

Limousine- A 4 year old Toyota Camry isn't exactly living it large Sultan of Brunei style.

Resort- !2 wooden shacks around a stagnant pond do not a resort make.

Reminds me of a few years back when there was a 'spa' craze...Noi Na the local butchy kaotoey clipping toe nails was suddenly a spa owner...Could have been one of Taksi's fabled hubs...