Classifiers — Thai Grammar

Classifiers are essential words in Thai used to count, define, or specify nouns. While English uses them occasionally (e.g., a loaf of bread, a pair of shoes), Thai uses them for almost every noun in the language.

A classifier categorizes a noun based on its physical characteristics, such as its shape, size, or function. For example, animals, shirts, and tables all share the same classifier because they are viewed as "bodies" or objects with limbs/legs.

Counting with Classifiers

The most common use of classifiers is for counting. Unlike English, where you say "two dogs" (Number + Noun), Thai uses the structure: Noun + Number + Classifier. You literally say "Dog two [classifier]".

ผมมีแมวสองตัว
pǒm mii mɛɛo sɔ̌ɔng tuaphǒm mi maeo sǒng thuaphǒm mi me̩o sǒ̦ng thua
I have two cats.
เขาซื้อกาแฟสามแก้ว
kǎo sʉ́ʉ gaa·fɛɛ sǎam gɛ̂ɛokhǎo súe ka·fae sǎm kâeokhǎo sứ ka·fe̩ sǎm kê̩o
He buys three cups of coffee.
ฉันต้องการสมุดหนึ่งเล่ม
chán dtɔ̂ng·gaan sà·mùt nʉ̀ng lêmchán tông·kan sà·mùt nùeng lêmčán tô̦ng·kan sà·mùt nừng lêm
I want one notebook.

Using "This" and "That"

When using demonstratives like "this" ( (níiníní)) or "that" ( (nán)), you cannot place them directly after the noun. You must insert the classifier between the noun and the demonstrative.

The structure is: Noun + Classifier + This/That.

คนนี้เป็นเพื่อนของฉัน
kon níi bpen pʉ̂an kɔ̌ɔng chánkhon ní pen phûean khǒng chánkhon ní pen phư̂an khǒ̦ng čán
This person is my friend.
รถคันนั้นสวยมาก
rót kan nán sǔai mâakrót khan nán sǔai mâkrót khan nán sǔai mâk
That car is very beautiful.
คุณชอบบ้านหลังนี้ไหม
kun chɔ̂ɔp bâan lǎng níi mǎikhun chôp bân lǎng ní mǎikhun čô̦p bân lǎng ní mǎi
Do you like this house?

Describing and Specifying

Classifiers are also used with adjectives to single out a specific item, functioning similarly to the English word "one" in "the big one" or "the red one".

The structure is: Noun + Classifier + Adjective.

ฉันชอบเสื้อตัวสีแดง
chán chɔ̂ɔp sʉ̂a tua sǐi dɛɛngchán chôp sûea thua sǐ daengčán čô̦p sư̂a thua sǐ de̩ng
I like the red shirt (the shirt, the red one).
เขาขับรถคันเก่า
kǎo kàp rót kan gàokhǎo khàp rót khan kàokhǎo khàp rót khan kào
He drives the old car.

Common Classifiers

Because there are many classifiers, it is helpful to learn the most common ones first.

(konkhonkhon): Used for people.
(tuathuathua): Used for animals, shirts, pants, tables, and chairs.
(kankhankhan): Used for vehicles (cars, bicycles) and spoons/forks.
(an): A general classifier for small objects, pieces, or items that don't have a specific category.
(bai): Used for containers (glasses, cups, bags), eggs, and leaves.
(lêm): Used for books, notebooks, and candles.

ผู้หญิงสามคน
pûu·yǐng sǎam konphû·yǐng sǎm khonphû·yǐng sǎm khon
Three women.
เก้าอี้สี่ตัว
gâo·îi sìi tuakâo·î sì thuakâo·î sì thua
Four chairs.
กล่องสองใบ
glɔ̀ng sɔ̌ɔng baiklòng sǒng baiklò̦ng sǒ̦ng bai
Two boxes.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Thai course

68 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 23. A few of them, with the words “Classifiers” is about in bold:

ฉันมีรถยนต์สองคัน จักรยานสองคัน และมอเตอร์ไซค์สามคัน
chǎn mii rót·yon sɔ̌ɔng kan · jàk·grà·yaan sɔ̌ɔng kan · lɛ́ mɔɔ·dtəə·sai sǎam kanchǎn mi rót·yon sǒng khan · chàk·krà·yan sǒng khan · láe mo·toe·sai sǎm khančǎn mi rót·yon sǒ̦ng khan · čàk·krà·yan sǒ̦ng khan · lé̩ mo̦·tơ·sai sǎm khan
I have two cars, two bicycles, and three motorbikes.
Lesson 33
ผมกำลังซื้อกล้วยหนึ่งลูกกับไข่หกฟอง
pǒm gam·lang sʉ́ʉ glûai nʉ̀ng lûuk gàp kài hòk fɔɔngphǒm kam·lang súe klûai nùeng lûk kàp khài hòk fongphǒm kam·lang sứ klûai nừng lûk kàp khài hòk fo̦ng
I am buying one banana and six eggs.
Lesson 43
ฉันซื้อไข่มาหนึ่งโหลกับขนมแท่งหนึ่งแท่งมาให้เธอด้วย
chǎn sʉ́ʉ kài maa nʉ̀ng lǒo gàp kà·nǒm tɛ̂ɛng nʉ̀ng tɛ̂ɛng maa hâi təə dûaichǎn súe khài ma nùeng lǒ kàp khà·nǒm thâeng nùeng thâeng ma hâi thoe dûaičǎn sứ khài ma nừng lǒ kàp khà·nǒm thê̩ng nừng thê̩ng ma hâi thơ dûai
I bought a dozen eggs and a candy bar for you too.
Lesson 47

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