Word
ไม่ ว่าง ครับ
Meaning
No, I am not free. (polite, male)
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
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Questions & Answers about ไม่ ว่าง ครับ
Why does the sentence say "not free" instead of just using a single word for "no"?
In Thai, there is no single, universal word for "no" used on its own. As taught in this lesson, to answer a yes/no question negatively, you use ไม่ (not) followed by the main verb or adjective from the question. If someone asks if you are free, you say "no" by answering ไม่ ว่าง (not free).
How can I tell the difference between ไม่ (not) and the question word ไหม?
They look and sound similar in English letters, but they have different tones and go in different places. ไม่ (not) has a falling tone and goes before the verb or adjective. The question word ไหม has a rising tone (often spoken with a high tone) and always goes at the very end of a question.
Why are there no words for "I" or "am" in this sentence?
Thai often drops pronouns like "I" when it is completely obvious from the context who is talking. Also, Thai does not use "to be" verbs (like "am", "is", or "are") before adjectives like ว่าง. You just say the adjective, or in this negative sentence, ไม่ plus the adjective.
How would a female speaker say this?
A female speaker would replace the male polite particle ครับ with the female polite particle for statements, which is ค่ะ. Her sentence would be ไม่ ว่าง ค่ะ.