One of the hardest-working words in Thai is ‘sia’, spoken with a rising tone and rhymed with ‘beer’ (without a rolled ‘r’). Sia is usually translated as ‘broken’ or ‘to break,’ but it can also mean ‘bad’, ‘spoilt’, or ‘wasted’.

Instructions: Read each item, then click to hear the sentence. After Yai has finished speaking the Thai, repeat the sentence paying close attention to the tones.

When you have read and listened to each item, place your right hand over the words in each item and try to remember them. Click the again to see if you got it right, or to remind you if you forgot.

You can also download each sound file to your computer and load them onto your mp3 player (right-click, Save Target As).

Tee-Wee sia  ทีวีเสีย The TV isn’t working
aahaan sia อาหารเสีย    the food is spoilt

sia waelaa เสียเวลา to waste time
sia jai  เสียใจ  to feel sorry

wannii phom hua sia วันนี้ผมหัวเสีย  today I’m in a bad mood.
sia ngern thuk deuan เสียเงินทุกเดือน   I pay a fee every month.

luuk ja sia khon ลูกจะเสียคน    my son is becoming a bad person.
phom chawp phuuying Thai dtae sia yuu yang thii khao khii khaw ผมชอบผู้หญิงไทยแต่เสียอยู่อย่างที่เขาขี้ขอ I like Thai girls - except the ones that continually ask for things

And finally, the worst thing that can happen to you in Thailand...

phom ruuseuk sia naa ผมรู้สึกเสียหน้า   I feel like I’ve lost face!

 

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