How to Say I in Thai

There are many ways to say I in Thai. Below are some common ways to say I in Thai.

CHUN (ฉัน) “I”

The word CHUN meaning 'I' in the Thai language is often used by females. It's the most common way to say 'I' for Thai women when speaking to people in general. Men usually do not use the word CHUN to mean 'I' because the word CHUN sounds more feminine than masculine. Gay men do use the word CHUN to refer to themselves leaving straight men to use the word POM to refer to themselves. Straight men will only use the word CHUN when talking to someone inferior to them.

When a woman is talking to a superior, elderly people, or people they want to be extra polite to or extra friendly to, they would not use the word CHUN either. CHUN in the Thai language is used by Thai women when talking to inferior people and to friends on a so-so (as opposed to very friendly) terms.

POM (ผม) “I”

POM in the Thai Language has the same meaning as CHUN but is only used by men. POM is a more “polite” word than CHUN and is generally used when talking with equals or superiors. However, since it does not hurt to be polite to anyone, POM is often used in all occasions by men except in very friendly cases. For example, POM is used by a child when speaking to parents, teachers, friends (if you want to be polite to your friends), lady friends, and strangers. POM is one of the most easy to use words in the Thai language. If POM is used by a female, then the woman is announcing that she is gay.

DICHUN (ดิฉัน) “I”

This is the female way of saying "I" in the most polite form in the Thai language. However, the word DICHUN is often abbreviated to CHUN. This word can only be used by females. Nowadays, you will rarely hear the word DICHUN said except in work places when a woman employee is talking to her boss.

ROW (เรา) "I", “We”

ROW actually means 'we' in the Thai language but it is often used as meaning "i" to make the person listening feel less inferior and feel more of an equal to the speaker. So, instead of a lady saying CHUN to a servant, she could say "ROW" to make the servant feel more like a friend than an inferior.

For a man, when talking to an inferior person, he would not refer to himself as POM, he is more likely to say "ROW". ROW is the most appropriate way to say 'I' for a man talking to an inferior person such as a chauffer or gardener.

KAHPAJOW (ข้าพเจ้า) “I”

This is a very formal word of saying I in the Thai language. KAHPAJOW may be used by either males or females but is seldom used except in special circumstances. KAHPAJOW is more common when talking to the King, the Royal Family, or monks. KAHPAJOW can be more commonly seen in writing in official documents.

KAH (ข้า) “I”

KAH is an impolite way of saying I. In the past, KAH was not an impolite way of saying I in the old Thai language - it was a normal way of saying I for both men and women of the past. Nowadays, it is rude to use the word KAH to refer to oneself. You will only hear the word KAH used when people are being rude to one another such as among classmates. You will also hear the word KAH used alot in old time movies by both men and women. KAH was the only way to say I at the time.

Goo (กู) “I”

GOO is a rather insulting word meaning I. You should never use. However, Thai men often use this word, GOO, with very close friends. If you hear a Thai person referring to himself or even herself as GOO and his or her friends are not smacking him or her in the head, then they are very close. In fact, Thai people love to be around people who can use the word GOO and not offend anyone since the usage of the word GOO is funny and hilarious to listen to. You will see that popular Thais always find some ways to use the word GOO.