Breakdown of มี อะไร บน ผนัง ครับ
ครับ
polite particle (male)
มี
to have / there is / there are
บน
on
อะไร
what
Questions & Answers about มี อะไร บน ผนัง ครับ
Why does the sentence start with มี when that usually means 'to have'?
While มี is the verb for 'to have', it has a special second job. When you put it at the very beginning of a sentence or clause, it means 'there is' or 'there are'. So here, it sets up the question 'What is there...?'
Why isn't the question word อะไร at the beginning of the sentence?
English puts question words at the start, but Thai keeps them in the same spot where the answer will go. Since you are asking about the object that exists, the word อะไร (what) goes directly after มี, just like the answer would.
Do I need to add a 'to be' verb for the 'is' in 'What is there'?
No, because the word มี covers the entire concept of existence ('there is' or 'there are'). You do not need to add a Thai 'to be' verb like เป็น or คือ in these types of sentences.
Can I use บน for things attached to a wall, not just resting on top of a table?
Yes! บน means 'on' or 'above'. In Thai, you use it whether something is resting horizontally on a flat surface or attached vertically to a ผนัง (wall).