May pen rai translation. May pen heaven! Strategic system "CCS"

One of the main difficulties when mastering the Thai language as a foreigner is tones. There are about five tones in the language, which are quite difficult for a European to reproduce, much less to distinguish them by ear. In addition, in a relatively small country like Thailand, there are many dialects, which makes understanding even more difficult.

Below is a mini phrasebook of the Thai language, based on the central dialect (phasaa klang), with the help of which you can easily communicate with local residents in ordinary situations. The tourist also needs to know about the “politeness endings”: “khrap” and “kha”. The first of them is used by men, and the second by women in relation to all people. Such additions, placed at the end of any sentence, make your speech more polite and respectful to the interlocutor. Relationships and communication between people are at the core of Thai culture, so you can only get discounts on goods and services for being friendly, understanding and respectful of the traditions of the country you are in. Pronouncing these particles separately from any context means agreement, an affirmative answer, a more polite analogue of the Russian “aha”. Therefore, do not forget to use these particles at the end of an address or sentence, and you are guaranteed even more smiles and goodwill in the kingdom of Thailand.

Another note. Women, when saying “I” and referring to themselves, pronounce “shan”, and men - “phom”. For example, a man says “I’m already full” - “phom im leo.” In the basic Thai phrasebook below, we have listed the basic phrases and expressions you may need when visiting Thailand. Let's hope that your communication with local residents will leave you with only pleasant memories, including thanks to the material given below.

EtcNote: 1. Most of these phrases do not contain the ending kkhrap/kha. You can say it or not, but in reality, the more often you add it to your speeches, the more Thais will like you. 2. If you want to indicate that the action has “already” been completed, then add the ending “laeow” (“leo”). For example: “already left” - “pay leo”, “already full” - “im leo”, etc. 3. The grammar of the Thai language is very simple, there are no cases, genders or articles, which somewhat simplifies mutual understanding with Thais. So, if you want to say that you have already eaten and are not hungry, it is enough to use two words: “kin leo”, which literally means “to eat already” - and they will really understand you.

Everyone can make a mistake, both Thai and tourist. The latter, of course, make mistakes more often, since they do not know the customs of the country. Thais are very tolerant of unwitting violations of their etiquette, especially if the “offender” apologizes afterward. Apologies work wonders with Thais; they are ready to forgive the most terrible crimes. Arrested criminals often sincerely ask for forgiveness from police officers and their victims, which evokes understanding and compassion. At the trial, the accused, if he is not a fool, will also zealously apologize, and the judge will demonstrate appropriate leniency. It is no coincidence that Thai sentences often seem too lenient compared to the crimes committed. Another murderer, who repentantly confesses his crime, gets off with 6-8 years in prison.

This willingness to forgive stems from. Buddhism believes that every person is in the nets of his fate, helpless in this world, his life is full of suffering. Every life is suffering, and therefore every person should be pitied. After this, how can one not forgive someone who, being unhappy, made a mistake?

The common formula for Thais to communicate that they have forgiven you is: may pen rai, literally: “I’m not angry”, in other words, “it’s okay”, “I’ve already forgiven”.

Thais pronounce these words willingly; it is not difficult for them. Callousness (Thais call an evil, cruel person “taidam” - “black-hearted”) is not in Thai.
Mai pen rai can be used in other situations. For example, if a person bought lottery tickets for a lot of money and didn’t win anything, then he says, “So what, everything is fine, I won’t die.” A person seems to excuse his own mistake, his own fate.

Mai pen rai they say if it suddenly rains, but you left your umbrella at home and you get wet to the skin. Or if you twist your ankle in one of the common potholes on the streets of Bangkok - “well, bad luck,” may pen rai.

So, with the help of the expression mai pen rai, people are forgiven for their mistakes, as well as unfavorable life circumstances or blows of fate. If the reader still doesn’t understand what I mean, it doesn’t matter, such is life, I’ll survive somehow, may pen paradise, may pen paradise.

In general, there is a huge amount of information about Thailand on the Internet and being original in this niche today is almost useless. Therefore, I will not load you with vulgar stories about Pattaya and Walking street, which have long turned into a branch of Gelendzhik, you will not find here advice like “where to buy latex pillows cheaper” and forgive me, I will also not say anything about the Royal Palace. It’s not that this palace is ugly, or not grand enough, no, everything is fine with it. It’s just that on any trip, first of all, I’m interested in people, the opportunity to communicate with them, observe their behavior, learn the traditions and culture of the country. Let's start with them.

Family is of great importance to Thais, and first of all it is the relationship with parents, and only then between spouses. Those. Divorces and leaving children to fend for themselves are quite common, but the parental home is forever the center of all life. Interestingly, the greatest responsibility for the financial well-being of the parents lies with the eldest daughter. Boys can play the fool until old age, but a daughter must earn and feed not only her mother and father, but also the rest of her brothers and sisters

Well, while the children are small, they are loved and pampered in moderation. Not once in all my trips have I seen anyone yell at children, scold them, much less spank them. Never.

In large and poor families, however, like ours, there is no special control over them. This cheerful couple took water treatments in the gutter every day while mom worked as a masseuse on the beach

Taking into account my individual characteristic of constantly getting into all sorts of incidents (in any country, wherever I fly, coups d’etat, wars, demonstrations, earthquakes, floods, etc. immediately begin), I prepared to film a real report, especially the police has already begun to draw on its strength.

But alas, or maybe fortunately, everything worked out and the park continued to live out its hot and lazy day off. This place reminded me a lot of Central Park in New York.

The Chinese on one of the alleys were meditating and practicing wushu, however, somehow without any severity or fanaticism, or even laughing and managing to communicate

Some schoolgirl, despite it being Sunday, was diligently doing her homework

Farang children frolicked with the locals at the watering hole

the park attendant fed rolls to the huge and impudent fish, and in general, I confess, I got a little bored from such serenity

and returned to the Central World area. It was there that the festival of anime doubles began, really, as in Japanese cartoons, the youth were rocking

I saw this character on the subway, he was already in character :-)

Yes! I almost missed the main theme, one might say the foundation of Thai life. This is, of course, Buddhism, which is practiced by 95% of Thais.

I’m not sure that you, unlike me, are interested in the philosophy of karma or what Theravada and Mahayana are, so I’ll limit myself to a few words about monasticism in Thailand.

This is an extremely respected and revered cause. Every Thai must spend several months or years serving as a monk during his life. This is, as a rule, simple work at the temple. They get up very early, take bowls in their hands and collect alms (food and water).

They are not allowed to take money into their hands, touch women either, or eat food only before lunch. There are still a bunch of small prohibitions, but it would be wrong to call their life difficult and tiring. And they smoke, and listen to music, and do not refuse other delights of life. And that’s right, in general they do it.

Well, in conclusion, a little more about the Thais and farangs, meetings with whom, for one reason or another, my selective memory recorded.

Coming to Thailand, many experience discomfort and constraint from not knowing Thai or English. Today we will present to your attention a Thai phrasebook of the most popular words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals.

1. Mai bpen rai, mai mee bpunhaa - Mai pen rai, mai mi panha

The first phrase roughly translates to "it doesn't matter", the second to "no problem". Together they embody the Thai approach to life, or more precisely, to not stop at small obstacles, not to worry and to calm down. Much to the dismay of the West, Thais use these phrases in situations that are often very difficult and even life-threatening. In the West they say: “The house is not on fire!”, and in Thailand: “No problem.” If a Thai citizen protests against something, he will quickly pronounce “jai yen” (see #4 below).

2. Sabai - Sabai

This word is usually translated as “happy,” but some of its meaning is closer to “calm,” “peace,” or “good.” For Thais, happiness is not the opposite of sadness and sadness. Rather, it is more like a state of calm. Here you are sitting on the seashore, and a fresh wind is blowing your hair - this is the real “Sabai”. Winning the lottery and other joys of life are not a reason to pronounce “Sabai”.

This difference is emphasized by the fact that the saying "Mai Sabai" means "sick", "bad", and can even be used as a euphemism for "hangover".

By adding the suffix "dee" to the word "good", you get the standard Thai greeting: sabai dee mai? - "Are you alright?"
The Thai language offers many techniques for activating adjectives. One way is to repeat it. Thus, the statement “Sabai Sabai” can be translated into Russian slang as “a mess in the country.”

3. Ruk - Hand

It so happened that the Thais are perceived as a sentimental people who live by emotions rather than by reason. They treat Westerners with some disdain, condemning them for being too cold and stiff. The main linguistic element of this worldview is the word “Ruk”, or “love”. Almost every Thai pop song features "Ruk", often using the phrase "pom ruk ter" (Pom ruk ter) or "I love you" (ter translates to "you", in French sounds like "Tu") ).

Additionally, "Ruk" is the common root of the word "naruk". The prefix "on" is the equivalent of an English suffix denoting state - thus "naruk" means "sweet", "adorable", or "pretty". Show a Thai girl a photo of a lion cub, a live puppy, or a soft toy, and she is guaranteed to start touching it, poking her nose at it, and squealing “naruk” at the same time. (Our sincere apologies to Thai girls who don't do this.)
"Ruk" is a derivative of the word "suttiruk", which expresses "tenderness" and means something like the word "sweetheart". (Note: Don't use it indiscriminately, especially since the phrase "suttiruk ja" literally means "sweet pie.")

4. Jai - Jai

In the case of Thai sentimentalism, the closed etymological connection between words carries “heart” and “mind”. “Jai” - Jai - “mind”, gives rise to the word “Hua jai - “heart”.

The word "jai" produces a number of compounds that describe human emotions. In fact, my pocket dictionary contains exactly sixty-seven such jai words.

The most common ones are:
jai rorn (jai rorn) - hot-tempered (hot mind), jai yen (jai yen) - calm (cold mind), jai lai (jai lai) - cruel, cunning mind, jai dee (jai di) - smart, Kao jai ( kao jai) - intelligent, etc.

Since the Thai language is fundamentally economical, it would be at least unreasonable not to use the “mind”.

5. Kin - Kin

Thais take what they eat very seriously, and there is no doubt that this is partly due to the significant Chinese influence on Thai culture. I know a Thai woman of Chinese descent who, instead of asking me: “How are you?”, asks: “Have you eaten anything yet?”

Kin can mean “to eat,” but the word literally translates to “swallow”: You can say kin nam (drink water), kin kao (eat rice), or kin ya (take medicine). Additionally, the word "kin" is also used to describe a chess piece.

Since rice is an ingredient in almost every Thai dish, kin khao is commonly used to mean "to eat." Therefore, it is quite acceptable to say “kin kao” while, for example, eating a good portion of dumplings.

6. Aroy - Aroy

Let's look at the Thai passion for food and look at the word Aroy, which means "delicious". Hence, it is not even surprising that many Thai restaurants use Aroy in the names of their establishments. The general experience gathered among newcomers to the Kingdom confirms that food they have never seen before is always offered to them along with the announcement of "Aroy". Thais take great pride in their cuisine, so the follow-up question is Aroy mai? (delicious?), as a rule, you don’t have to wait long. And, don’t forget, Thais are very scrupulous, so the suggested answer should sound like: “Aroi di” - “yummy!” - in this statement, you need to raise your index finger up.

7. Sanook - Sanuk

Sanook, which means "fun", is the guiding principle of Thai social life. If you have recently returned from a long trip, or simply from the Shopping Center, then you will definitely be asked Sanook mai? - "It was fun?" From experience, which is purely educational, this question will most likely be answered with a quick and short Thai answer - "beau" or "boring". In general, if it's not Sanook, then you shouldn't bother. Thus, Sanook and Sabai are common names for many drinking establishments in Thailand.

8. Ba - Ba

Westerners often get—and deserve—the charge of “ba!”, which means “crazy,” “crazy,” or “mad,” which is basically the same thing. You go “boo” if you do something stupid or unexpected, such as driving poorly or suddenly spontaneously starting to dance. Interestingly, the Thai phrase also used for methamphetamine, the country's most destructive drug, is ya ba, or "crazy medicine."

9. Pai - Pai

We have already become familiar with two forms of Thai greeting: “Are you okay” and “Have you already eaten?” But in the third form the word “pay” (to go) or “pay nae mach” (where have you been) is used. Just like the phrase “have you eaten,” many in the West are confused by the apparent simplicity of this question, and the first thought that comes to mind is “it’s none of your business.” But, in fact, this question really has little to do with the question of interest - “What is happening?” In other words, “I was in the bathroom,” and I’ll leave the details of what exactly I was doing there, sorry, to myself.

Plus, the word "Pai" refers to incentive actions, such as "let's go" or "go away", although Thais often say "Pa" a hundred times in the hour leading up to the actual action.

10. Sawatdee, Chohk dee - Sawatdee, Chok di

A collection of popular Thai phrases would not be complete without the universal Thai greeting - Sawatdee. Very convenient, no need to worry about the difference between "good morning" and "good evening", "hello" and "goodbye": Sawatdee covers them all. But there are alternatives for breakup phrases, for example - chohk dee, which means "good luck". Chohk dee is also fair to use as “hurray”, and not in the evolved British sense of “thanks”, but in the old-fashioned “may the road rise to meet you, may the wind always be at your back!”

When I was leaving Pattaya towards Bangkok, my room was robbed. They robbed me quietly, intelligently, nothing was touched except $200 for light evening shopping before being sent home. Actually, there was nothing to touch. You could touch the phone. But the benefit from its sale does not pay for the efforts spent on logistics to the point of sale. The good thief also did not steal my shorts, a bottle of rum and several stale T-shirts. Perhaps in his entire biography there was no greater failure than my guesthouse number. I even imagined how he would complain to his friends in the evening over a cup of sangsom

No, well, fucking Buddha. When will it end. Yesterday Surakapork climbed up to the farang. This guy is apparently not rich, but he has 3 iPhones, 4 thousand in cash and a box of chocolates for dessert. Why is Surakaporka so excited like a monkey, and the most I can pull out is a Nokia 3310 and half a packet of Viagra. Tired of it!

And his friends

Don't piss, kun Guwanakang. May pen heaven. Soon a tuk tuk will pass on your street. You will pull out pearls, diamonds and mobile phones. Distance will return everything!

I imagined this on the way in the taxi and even Surakapork somehow became closer and warmer to me. I actually didn’t intend to buy anything worthwhile. So, all sorts of authentic little things for gifts.

Oh, oh, bring a magnet, bring sumets, bring this and that.

Yes ok. I'm happy to. There's one thing I don't understand. But no one ever brings me unexpected souvenirs, but everyone is offended that I don’t always bring them?

In general, we were driving with a Thai driver of about forty on the way to the airport. I practiced my Thai with all the power of my tongue. The driver with great pleasure told me where he was from, what his son was doing in the rice field, where in Bangkok you can eat Orthodox tom yam for only 15 baht, etc.. In general, he gave out all the useful information that he himself possessed. I answered everything

Drip, drip, drip.

It means something like "ok". Like, I understand. When I stopped understanding, I spoke twice as fast, as if turning this part of the conversation to an understandable page.

After an hour and a half, we managed to go around all the toll roads on the highway and get to the airport through some kind of military training ground, where the driver had his “ends”. He was saluted and we saved 50 baht after spending 20 minutes.

I had about 700 baht in small bills in my wallet at that time. I had already paid for the taxi and my consumerism craved nothing but a bottle of beer in the waiting room. We said goodbye to the taxi driver. I took my suitcase and trudged to the registration desk. There was just over an hour left before takeoff, which under normal conditions is enough to avoid feeling like a Soviet tourist who arrived “just in case” 4 hours in advance.

The Thai woman looked at my passport for a long time, leafing through it back and forth like a glossy magazine. Then she went to another Thai girl and began to show him off. Of course, I understood that my passport photographs could ruin the psyche of a seven-year-old child, but mockery of the imperfection of light and face at the moment went beyond all limits.

Finally she returned to me and the angry caterpillar line that had gathered behind me.

Sser, yu have overstey 4 days. Yu have tu pei fain 2 thousand baht.

Which translated meant “I’m staying in Thailand for 4 days beyond the visa period. I need to pay 2k baht, ask for forgiveness from my conscience and the policeman and move on.”
I took a piece of paper with directions to the airport-policy office and, with the air of a poor student trying to get into an expensive party with chicks and drugs, I wandered to passport control.

I was escorted to a room with a policeman, a man of about 45, expressively unflinching and stern.

Savadi cap,” I decided to begin diplomatically.

“Cap,” he said dryly and pointed to the chair.

I sat down.

I don’t even know how to start, your legality, my money was stolen right before my trip here, this is the first time this has happened. I actually love Thailand very much, I even have a Thai girlfriend, but this is such stupidity, maybe you will forgive me for my irresponsibility and come to terms with it.

Words poured out of me, lining up in the most idiotic chains, despite my desire to show off provincial NLP.
The policeman was impressed by my speech as a very poorly staged attempt by a young party guy, who had spent all his money on cocaine and karaoke, to ride like a hare. He saw about 426 of them here.

You have (he looked at his watch) about 15 minutes to borrow money from someone who is on your flight. If you don't make it in time, you will be given luggage and a return ticket. Yeah?

He said this so affirmatively that there was not even a small niche in his intonation for “getting into the situation.”

Well, okay, I’ll play by your rules, I thought and left the room.

I can’t say that shame was eating me up from the inside, but it was very uncomfortable even to think through schemes for extracting 40 bucks from a compatriot. I stood rooted to the spot, dividing the stream into two ribbons and peering into the faces of people, trying to identify them as Ukrainians.

Excuse me, but do you speak Russian? - I turned to a gloomy old man in a leather jacket with a wheeled bag.

Yes! - he answered and simply continued to roll further with his bag.

Ahh... Well, it’s cool what you say, I didn’t expect it. - I thought.

I spent another 7 minutes like this, but all the Bangkok-Kyiv passengers had already been sitting in the waiting room for a long time.

Finally, a slight panic began to overtake me. There were 40 minutes left before departure.

The plan came to mind unexpectedly.

Listen, I ran up to the policeman.
- How about you buy something from me?

I said this and remembered Surakapoka, who, even despite his great desire, did not find anything worthy of stealing in my material world.

The Thai tried to wave it off, but I noticed that he was looking at his watch.

The watch was given to me by Daa for Valentine's Day. I saved a month for them. I didn’t go to the beauty salon for 4 days in a row and didn’t buy cosmetics for a whole week. In general, I went into strict asceticism. The watches are certainly not expensive. Casio. They probably cost 40 bucks.

I caught his interest, but really didn’t want to give the gift away.

Now, I’ll call the boss and talk to him! - he told me and walked away.
I ran and began to dump all the junk out of my bag in a row, looking for help from the Almighty.

The help received two silver earrings, a leather wallet and a phone worn down to the chips on the asphalt.

An athletic-looking young Thai boy, well dressed and in civilian clothes, entered the room. With a pistol on his belt.

I got up from my chair and, like a mistress at a bazaar, carefully laid out all my “goods” in front of him, praising them.

Excellent wallet, cow leather. This one doesn’t burn in the fire, and there is a compartment for small items and it looks good! Take it!
- Or here, a mobile phone. - Yes, she is old. But it contains a card and there is as much as 100 baht for calls to all Thai numbers. Plus exciting games in the games folder. Sudoku, O lucky one. Take it, please!

But the boy pointed to his watch. I took them off my hand and felt what people in a pawn shop probably feel.


- Bro, this is a gift from a girl. Please take a wallet, or a fawn, or both. Do you want a jacket or a bag, but bro, I just can’t give it to this Chinese slag. Here ah gona say that may Gelfrend?

The Thai thought for one second after listening to my performance. And when I was just a moment away from saying “take the watch,” thinking that it’s a stupid piece of hardware, that I’ll buy myself a better one and be able to explain everything, yeah, the young Thai man said something to the adult. Then he smiled at me slightly with a stretch, took his wallet out of his pocket and put 2,000 baht on the table.

What are you taking? I asked him
“May, May, May (no, no, no),” he said.
- May pen paradise - no problems.

I'm like - aray na? (I'm sorry, what?)

The one that the adult tried to translate for me.

My boss said that he doesn’t need anything, he gave you 2000 baht to pay the fine, so fill it out here and run to the waiting room.
- But I don’t need 2000. I need 1300 baht. I have 700.
- Keep it for yourself just in case, maybe you can drink coffee for 5 minutes.

There was a very contradictory expression on the young man's face. I understood that the action was pure spontaneity, and perhaps he already regretted it.
There was not a moment to express my gratitude to him and I only had time to ask him to write down his Facebook name on a piece of paper so that I could contact him.

Good luck to you and your family, thank you! - I told him, made a wai (thai bow of gratitude) and then shook his hand...


8 minutes later I was standing in the waiting room drinking coffee. The passengers were already actively loading into the “gut”, but I was in no particular hurry, standing and finishing my cigarette 10 meters from them.

There is no morality here. It’s just very joyful at such moments.

Today I bought some perfume for a Thai girl or wife, tomorrow I’ll think about what I can bring him personally from Ukraine that is clear and unusual.

So much for the Thais. So much for “ours”.

One blood, one hundred thousand vessels.