Thai · CEFR Band 1 (A1) · Chapter 9
พี่ชายเป็นหมอMy older brother is a doctor
พี่ and น้อง: Thai sorts siblings into "phîi" (older) or "nɔ́ɔŋ" (younger) — not just male/female. Older/younger brother and sister. And พี่/น้อง are used for non-relatives too. New words: to love, to know, to speak, to think. Culture: พี่/น้อง — senior/junior. Reading corner: reading full family sentences, and the tones of พี่/น้อง.
Dialogue
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พี่ชายเป็นหมอ— My Older Brother Is a Doctor
- Somchaiผมมีพี่ชายกับน้องสาวครับพี่ชายเป็นหมอI have an older brother and a younger sister. My older brother is a doctor.
- Jamesผมมีพี่ชายหนึ่งคนกับน้องชายหนึ่งคนครับI have one older brother and one younger brother.
- Somchaiน้องชายเจมส์ทำอะไรครับWhat does your younger brother do?
- Jamesน้องชายผมเป็นนักเรียนครับผมรักน้องMy younger brother is a student. I love my younger sibling.
Dialogue
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พี่พูดภาษาไทย— Phîi Speaks Thai
- Maleeเจมส์พี่พูดภาษาไทยกับเจมส์นะคะJames, I (phîi) will speak Thai with you.
- Jamesครับพี่มาลีพูดภาษาอะไรครับYes. Phîi Malee, what languages do you speak?
- Maleeพี่พูดภาษาไทยค่ะภาษาไทยสวยมากI speak Thai. Thai is very beautiful.
- Jamesผมรู้ครับผมรักภาษาไทยI know. I love Thai.
Vocabulary
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- พี่ชาย
nounolder brother
- พี่สาว
nounolder sister
- น้องชาย
nounyounger brother
- น้องสาว
nounyounger sister
- พี่
nounolder sibling / senior
- น้อง
nounyounger sibling / junior
- รัก
verbto love
- รู้
verbto know
- พูด
verbto speak
- คิด
verbto think
Grammar
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พี่ / น้อง — senior and junior siblings
Explanation
Thai sorts siblings not by gender first but by AGE: "phîi" = older, "nɔ́ɔŋ" = younger. Add the gender after: phîichaai (older brother), phîisǎao (older sister), nɔ́ɔŋchaai, nɔ́ɔŋsǎao. Link a role with "pen": Phîichaai pen mɔ̌ɔ (My older brother is a doctor). And พี่/น้อง are also used for non-relatives — anyone older is your "phîi".
Examples
- พี่ชายผมเป็นหมอครับMy older brother is a doctor.
- ผมมีน้องสาวหนึ่งคนI have one younger sister.
- ผมรักพี่กับน้องI love my older and younger siblings.
Culture
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พี่ กับ น้องพี่ & น้อง — senior and junior
Thai sorts almost everyone into "phîi" (senior) or "nɔ́ɔŋ" (junior) — and not only for family. It shapes how you address friends, colleagues, even a friendly vendor.
Relative age, not just family
An older friend is "phîi"; a younger one is "nɔ́ɔŋ". You use the term as a name-prefix (Phîi Somchai) or on its own. Blood relation is not required.
It runs workplaces and schools
Senior colleagues and older students are "phîi"; you are their "nɔ́ɔŋ". This sets a gentle hierarchy of deference and care — phîi often look after nɔ́ɔŋ.
คุณ + name with strangers
With people you do not know, use "khun" (like Mr/Ms) before the name for politeness. Once you are closer and know someone is a bit older, switch to "phîi", which signals warmth and respect.
When unsure: use "khun + name" with strangers; once you know someone is a bit older and friendly, "phîi" signals warmth and respect.
Script & tones
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อ่านประโยคครอบครัว และเสียง พี่/น้อง— Reading Family Sentences; the พี่/น้อง Tones
Read whole sentences, keeping every syllable's tone:
- พี่ชายเป็นหมอphîichaai pen mɔ̌ɔMy older brother is a doctor.
- ผมมีน้องสาวหนึ่งคนphǒm mii nɔ́ɔŋsǎao nʉ̀ŋ khonI have one younger sister.
- นี่คือครอบครัวผมnîi khʉʉ khrɔ̂ɔpkhrua phǒmThis is my family.
Focus on phîi (falling) vs nɔ́ɔŋ (high):
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