Making a Request with 'ด้วย' — Thai Grammar

The word (dûai) is a versatile element in Thai grammar. Depending on its position in the sentence, it can function as a particle to soften a request, an adverb meaning also, or a preposition meaning with.

Making Polite Requests

When (dûai) is placed at the very end of a sentence, it functions as a polite particle. It softens a command or a statement, turning it into a request. This usage is similar to adding please or could you? in English. It implies that you are asking the listener to do something for you as a favor.

This is commonly used with the verb (chûaichûaičûai), which means to help.

ช่วยด้วย
chûai dûaichûai dûaičûai dûai
Help me please.
รอด้วย
rɔɔ dûairo dûairo̦ dûai
Please wait for me.
ถ่ายรูปให้ด้วย
tàai rûup hâi dûaithài rûp hâi dûaithài rûp hâi dûai
Please take a photo for me.

Meaning "Also" or "Too"

When (dûai) follows a verb or an object, it indicates inclusion. In this context, it translates to also, too, or as well. You use this structure to express that the subject is performing the same action as someone else, or wants the same item.

ผมไปด้วย
pǒm pai dûaiphǒm phai dûaiphǒm phai dûai
I am going too.
เอาน้ำด้วย
ao nám dûai
I want water too.
เขาหิวด้วย
kǎo hǐu dûaikhǎo hǐu dûaikhǎo hǐu dûai
He is hungry too.

Meaning "With" or "By Means Of"

(dûai) can also function as a preposition. In this case, it indicates the instrument used to perform an action (by means of) or togetherness (together with).

When used to mean together, it is often followed by (kankhankhan), which indicates reciprocity.

ไปด้วยกัน
pai dûai kanphai dûai khanphai dûai khan
Go together.
เขียนด้วยปากกา
kǐian dûai pàak·kaakhǐan dûai phàk·khakhǐan dûai phàk·kha
Write with a pen.

Apologies

You will frequently hear (dûai) attached to apologies. Adding this particle makes the apology sound more formal, sincere, and complete.

ขอโทษด้วย
kɔ̌ɔ tôot dûaikhǒ thôt dûaikhǒ̦ thôt dûai
I apologize (please excuse me).

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Thai course

14 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 47. A few of them, with the words “Making a Request with 'ด้วย'” is about in bold:

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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