Understanding the Thai Letter า (Long Ah)
When you begin to learn Thai, you'll quickly encounter the vowel symbol า, which is one of the most common vowels in the Thai language. In Thai, it is called "สระ อา" (sà-rà aa), where "สระ" means 'vowel', and "อา" is the sound it represents. This vowel is crucial because it appears in many Thai words, from the most simple to the most complex.
Pronunciation of า
The pronunciation of า is similar to the 'ah' sound in the English word "spa." It is important to note that it's a long vowel sound, meaning you should stretch out the 'ah' when you pronounce it. Remember, vowel length can change the meaning of a word in Thai, so it's important to get it right.
Introduction to Thai Words with า
Here are a few Thai words using the vowel า:
- ตัวอย่างเช่น (dtua-yàang chên): for example
- หา (hăa): to look for / to find
- กระดาษ (grà-dàat): paper
Simple Sentences Using Words with า
Let's see how to use these words in simple Thai sentences: