Can and may (ได้)

Expressing Ability and Permission

To express that you can do something, or that an action is permitted, use the word ได้ (can / may). Unlike English, where "can" comes before the main verb, in Thai ได้ is always placed at the very end of the verb phrase or sentence.

The pattern is: Subject + Verb + (Object) + ได้

Expressing Inability (Cannot)

To say that someone is unable or not allowed to do something, place the negative word ไม่ (not) directly before ได้ at the end of the sentence. Do not place ไม่ before the main verb.

The pattern is: Subject + Verb + (Object) + ไม่ได้

Asking Questions (Can I...?)

To ask if an action is possible or allowed, simply add the question particle ไหม to the end of a positive statement.

The pattern is: Subject + Verb + (Object) + ได้ไหม

When asking for permission or a favor, it is common to place the word ขอ (to request / may I) before the main verb to make the question more polite.

Making Polite Requests (Can you...?)

If you want to ask someone else to do something for you, place the word ช่วย (to help) before the main verb. This acts like "Can you please..." in English.

The pattern is: ช่วย + Verb + (Object) + ได้ไหม