asiafun Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 During a recent shopping trip at the floating market (see my trip report) I found my boatdriver using the word which sounded like ---tawking--- He would warn the shopkeepers using this word as soon as we pulled up. I was hoping to hear what exactly this means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharcyde Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 its prolly just part of the sentence "puut thai gaeng" that you heard. Means you speak thai well and are not cheated easily. Does that fit u? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pescator Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Taw king, Taw Raka Keng? Are you good at haggling prices ? Cheers Hua Nguu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafun Posted January 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 I guess I was good enough that they looked pissed by the time I left. It sounded more like Taw King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafun Posted January 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 My Thai sux, I am still learning basic words... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekong Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 asiafun said:My Thai sux, I am still learning basic words... You and me both mate! OK I may know 2-3 more words than you do, but to me it is more context than the actual words themselves. With English (please excuse my ignorance about other western languages)you can make a remark that is unambigious, but for me in Thai it goes deeper. A very Simple example, lets imagine 2 phrases spoken by a BG and a GTG about a Farang. Jai Dee Mak BG . Very Good Heart Spends Lots of Money GTG . Stupid Old Fool Throwing his Money around Khi Neow BG . Tight Arsed Bastard GTG . Sensible Over the years I now find Jai Dee as an insult, meaning Stupid and Khi Neow as a compliment meaning wise. The more you know the less you really understand, I have thais tell me English is difficult with Idioms such as "Six Feet Under" and "Kick the Bucket" My Reply What is "A Dog Staring at Airplane Wing"? (one of my favouite thai idioms ) I think the point I am trying to make is, it is not the actual transliteration of a word or phrase, but the tone in which one percieves it. Having read your floating market thread I know your Bullshit Deflectors were at DEFCON 1 so the survival instincts are still honed. I will pass it thru the wifes ears this weekend if she is till talking to me, alledgedy I said something to her auntie on New Years Day that upset her, my tones were perfect it was the stray eyebrow hair that changed the context. Enjoy Learning ... Most of us still are! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asiafun Posted January 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Funny bit true... One small nuance can chnage the whole meaning of anything in thai. No slack if your a farang either they seem to assume the worst in most cases. Yes anytime I risk baht or my ass, bullshit detectors are on max sensitivity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted January 5, 2006 Report Share Posted January 5, 2006 Hi, "What is "A Dog Staring at Airplane Wing"? (one of my favouite thai idioms )" What does that one mean? Don't recall hearing it before. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharcyde Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 It might be the one "ma mong kreung bin" . I think it means looking at something thats way above you (outta your reach likes)- any takers? Hua Nguu, what you said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted January 6, 2006 Report Share Posted January 6, 2006 Hi, "I think it means looking at something thats way above you (outta your reach likes)-" Ah, okay, that does kinda ring a bell. Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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