Breakdown of แม่ สอน ว่า อย่า คุย กับ คนแปลกหน้า ครับ
ครับ
polite particle (male)
แม่
mother
สอน
to teach
คุย
to talk
อย่า
do not
กับ
with / and (connecting nouns) / to (a recipient)
ว่า
that (conjunction)
คนแปลกหน้า
stranger
Questions & Answers about แม่ สอน ว่า อย่า คุย กับ คนแปลกหน้า ครับ
Why is ว่า used after สอน here?
The word ว่า acts like the English word "that" when reporting speech, thoughts, or teachings. It connects the verb สอน (to teach) to the specific instruction Mom gave.
The English translation says "we shouldn't", but the Thai uses อย่า (do not). How does that work in this sentence?
While อย่า is the negative imperative used for direct commands ("Do not!"), Thai frequently uses it in reported speech after ว่า to pass along a rule or strong advice. In this context, it translates smoothly to "not to" or "shouldn't".
How does the compound word คนแปลกหน้า (stranger) break down?
It is made up of three words: คน (person), แปลก (strange or unfamiliar), and หน้า (face). So a stranger in Thai is literally a "person with an unfamiliar face."
Why do we use กับ (with) here instead of a word for "to" after คุย (to talk)?
In Thai, the verb คุย (to talk or chat) naturally pairs with กับ (with). Just like in English where you might say "I'm chatting with someone," Thai prefers กับ over directional words when expressing a two-way conversation.
There is no word for "us" or "we" before อย่า. Is that normal?
Yes, Thai frequently drops pronouns when they can be guessed from context. Since Mom is teaching a general rule to her child, the implied subject is "me," "us," or just people in general.
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