How do you ask what the "Classifier" is?

[gawguy]

Hello Gents,

 

 

 

I have a very difficult time communicating the "classifier" concept when I want to ask someone to tell me one.

 

 

 

For instance, a guy was selling watches while I was sitting with a bar girl. I wanted to tell him I already had 10 watches.

 

 

 

I turned to the bar girl, "Me naliga sip...arai, sip...arai?" Finally she got it and told me "an."

 

 

 

Is there a word they will understand for "classifier." How do I say, "What is the classifier for X?"

 

 

 

Thank you.

 

I love reading all the responses and interchanges to such questions!

 

 

 

GG

[Boo Radley]

Hi,

 

The Thai for classifier is LAK-SA-NA-NAHM Åѡɳ¹ÒÃ.

 

I think you could say LAK-SA-NA-NAHM KHAWNG NALIGA KHEU ARAI Åѡɳ¹Òâç¹ÒÌÔ¡Ò¤×ÃÃÃäà (what is the classifier for watches? - its REUAN àÃÕù by the way).

 

I have found though that if the Thai you're asking has had a minimal education, they may not know what 'LAK-SA-NA-NAHM' means, although they would of course know how to use classifiers correctly in speech.

 

Hope that helps.

[markle]

My dictionary says -ÈѾ·ìºÃ¡¨Ó¹Ç¹·Õèà»ç¹ªÔé¹ (sub bok jamnuan ti pen chin) which I think is pretty wordy. I might try ¤Ó¹ÑºµÑÇ (kam nup tua). But to tell the truth I've never had an occasion to ask. My standbys are Ãѹ (an) for inanimate objects and 楀 (tua) for animate objects but only in emergencies.

[Guest]

 

 

I always just venture my best guess, then ask if I used the correct word, or ask if is that work or another.

 

 

 

i.e. "I have watch 10 an. Is that correct? 10 an or 10 wong"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[daeng bireley]

Classifier for watches is ruen (àÃ×ù) Many thais dont use all the correct classifiers

[Pescator]

Qoute: "I have found though that if the Thai you're asking has had a minimal education, they may not know what 'LAK-SA-NA-NAHM' means, although they would of course know how to use classifiers correctly in speech."

 

 

 

Right. I`ve noticed that too. Also when it comes to "Siang Wannayuk" I have occasionally been met with stares of total incomprehension.

 

 

 

Hua Nguu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jasmine]

Hello,

 

 

 

Many educated Thais have problem with grammar. I am for one, would have a difficult time explaining some Thai grammar. all I am doing with Thai right now is reading and a simple conversation with my family once a month.

 

 

 

I really admire you guys a lot for trying to learn Thai, it is not an easy task.

 

 

 

Cheers!

[markle]

To be fair the majority of English speakers have trouble explaining the difference between an adverb or an adjective, what a gerund is, etc. Just goes to show that you can speak a language witout the benefit of a dictionary.

 

 

 

Back on subject I'd say the simplist way to ask for a 'classifier', would to be avoid the word classifier and say perhaps

 

'(thing) ¹Ñºà»ç¹ÃÃäÃ'

 

e.g. - ä¢è¹Ñºà»ç¹ÃÃäÃ

 

-¹Ñºà»ç¹¿Ã§

[haltest]

If you don't know the right classifier just use "an"

 

You will be understood and it is clearer than not using a classifier at all. "an" is used as a classifier for all objects that don't have a specific one (or one you can't remember )

 

 

 

Check in the back of Robertsons Practical English Thai dictionary for a list of classifiers. It lists "an" as " a substitute for almost any other classifier"