Here's a fun Thai language milestone: being able to say your birthday.
It's not something you'll use every day, but it's one of those moments where you realize… "Hey, I actually know how to combine months AND numbers in Thai now."
Plus, Thai people do love talking about birthdays and astrology, so when it comes up, you'll be ready.
This week, you'll learn exactly how to do it. (This is actually part of what we teach in Lesson 32 of the Thai Language Challenge, but I'm giving you the essentials here so you can start practicing right away.)
Let’s get into it!
First, Let's Learn The Months:
Here are all 12 months in Thai. Don't worry about memorizing them perfectly right now.
Just get familiar with saying them (if you want to see me teach you the months on video, then just watch this video here):
- January = mókgaraa(kom) — มกราคม
- February = gumpaa(pan) — กุมภาพันธ์
- March = miinaa(kom) — มีนาคม
- April = meesǎa(yon) — เมษายน
- May = prútsapaa(kom) — พฤษภาคม
- June = mítùnaa(yon) — มิถุนายน
- July = gàrágàdaa(kom) — กรกฎาคม
- August = sǐnghǎa(kom) — สิงหาคม
- September = ganyaa(yon) — กันยายน
- October = dtùlaa(kom) — ตุลาคม
- November = prútsàjigaa(yon) — พฤศจิกายน
- December = tanwaa(kom) — ธันวาคม
Next, Numbers 1 to 31 (For Days)
Think of Thai numbers like building blocks. Super simple. If you want to see me teach you the numbers, then you can watch this video here
First, learn 1-10:
- 1 = nèung — หนึ่ง
- 2 = sǒng — สอง
- 3 = sǎhm — สาม
- 4 = sèe — สี่
- 5 = hâh — ห้า
- 6 = hòk — หก
- 7 = jèt — เจ็ด
- 8 = bpèt — แปด
- 9 = gâo — เก้า
- 10 = sìp — สิบ
Quick note: In Thai, the number 1 changes to "et" when it comes after another number. So instead of "sìp nèung" (ten-one), you say "sìp-èt" (eleven). Think of it like a shortcut!
Now for 11-19, just say "ten" first, then add the number:
- 11 = sìp-èt (ten-one) — สิบเอ็ด
- 12 = sìp-sǒng (ten-two) — สิบสอง
- 13 = sìp-sǎhm (ten-three) — สิบสาม
- ...keep going until...
- 19 = sìp-gâo (ten-nine) — สิบเก้า
For 20-29, say "twenty" first, then add the number:
- 20 = yêe-sìp (twenty) — ยี่สิบ
- 21 = yêe-sìp-èt (twenty-one) — ยี่สิบเอ็ด
- 22 = yêe-sìp-sǒng (twenty-two) — ยี่สิบสอง
- ...keep going until...
- 29 = yêe-sìp-gâo (twenty-nine) — ยี่สิบเก้า
Finally, 30 and 31:
- 30 = sǎhm-sìp (thirty) — สามสิบ
- 31 = sǎhm-sìp-èt (thirty-one) — สามสิบเอ็ด
See? You just learned to count to 31 in Thai.
3) Now, Put It All Together!
How To Say: "I was born on [date] [month]"
You Can Say: chán/pǒm gèrt wan-têe ____ deuan ____ kâ/kráp
ฉัน/ผมเกิดวันที่ ___ เดือน ___ ค่ะ/ครับ
Example: "I was born on March 15th"
- chán gèrt wan-têe sìp-hâh deuan miinaa kâ
Thai Vocabulary Breakdown:
- chán/pǒm = I (female/male) — ฉัน/ผม
- gèrt = to be born — เกิด
- wan-têe = day (of the month) — วันที่
- deuan = month — เดือน
- kâ/kráp = polite particle — ค่ะ/ครับ
4) Here's What You Can't Get From This Email
You just learned all 12 months and how to say your birthday. That's useful.
But here's the problem: when you actually say this to a Thai person, they're going to respond. And they'll probably say it fast.
They might ask:
- "Oh really? What year?""
- Same as my sister!"
- "That's in hot season, right?"
And if you can't understand or respond... the conversation dies.
That's the difference between learning phrases and learning to speak. In the Thai Language Challenge, Lesson 32 teaches this exact topic, but you practice it with real students, get feedback on your pronunciation, and learn how to handle the follow-up questions that always come next.
By Week 5, students aren't just saying their birthday. They're having full conversations about travel plans, family visits, and upcoming events. See what happens when you practice for real →
Want To Practice?
Reply and tell me your birthday in Thai using what you just learned. I'll reply back with mine.
Ready To Actually Speak Thai?
Every student who completes the Thai Language Challenge passes their final exam. That's 100%. They go from zero to a 10-minute conversation entirely in Thai in just 100 days.
Watch their final conversations: Real students speaking Thai →
Next cohort starts October 13. Only 22 spots left.
If you're serious, join here.
See you next week,
~ Kru Fah
P.S. The difference between knowing phrases and speaking Thai? About 100 days. Start here.
