Questions & Answers about ปิด ประตู ได้ ครับ
Why is there no word for 'you' in this sentence?
Why does ได้ (can) come after the object instead of before the verb?
Unlike English, which puts 'can' before the verb ('can close'), Thai puts ได้ (dâai) after the verb and its object. The pattern is always Verb + Object + ได้. Here, that is ปิด (close) + ประตู (door) + ได้ (can).
Does ได้ mean 'can' as in physical ability, or 'can' as in permission?
It can mean both! ได้ (dâai) is used for both physical capability and permission. In this specific sentence, it is most likely giving permission, letting the other person know that it is perfectly okay for them to close the door.
How would I turn this into a question to ask someone 'Can you close the door?'
To make this a yes/no question, you simply add the question word ไหม right after ได้ (and before the polite particle ครับ). It becomes ปิด ประตู ได้ ไหม ครับ.
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