- Thai numerals
Thai numerals ( _th. เลขไทย) are a set of numerals traditionally used in
Thailand , although theArabic numerals are more common. Thai numerals follow theHindu-Arabic numeral system commonly used in the rest of the world. In theThai language , numerals often follow the modified noun and precede ameasure word , although variations to this pattern occur.Main numbers
Zero to nine
The Thai name for " zero", which also means "center", depending on context, is clearly from
Sanskrit śūnya, as are context-driven names for Alternate numbers 2 to 4, given below; but not " one" or its alternatives. Thai names for regular digits two through nine resemble those inCantonese as spoken inSouthern China , putative homeland of theTai .Fact|date=October 2008 Shown below is a comparison between the two languages using Cantonese characters and pronunciations. The Thaitransliteration uses theRoyal Thai General System of Transcription (RTGS).Alternate numbers
Aai
Aai ( _th. อ้าย), means "first born (son)" or "Moon 1" [http://rirs3.royin.go.th/dictionary.asp Online Royal Institute Dictionary] (ORID)
Et
Et ( _th. เอ็ด, Cantonese: 一, yat1), means "one", and is used as last member in a compound number (see above).
Yi
Yi ( _th. ยี่, Cantonese: 二, yi6) is still used in several places in Thai language for the number 2, apart from สอง ("song"). For example, "Yi" is used instead of "song" to construct 20 (2 tens) and its combinations 21-29. "Yi" is still used to name the second month of the traditional
Thai lunar calendar , and in the Thai northern dialect (TH: ถิ่น–พายัพ) refers to theYear of the tiger , (ORID)Yip
Yip ( _th. ยีบ) in colloquial Thai is an
elision of ยี่สิบ ("yi sip") at the beginning of numbers 21 through 29; therefore, one may hear ยีบเอ็ด ("yip et"), ยีบสอง ("yip song"), etc.ow
Sow ( _th. ซาว) means 20 in the Thai northern dialect, according to the ORID; it is also frequently heard in
Isan in the expression "sowbaht " for 20 baht.Tri-
Tri- ( _th. ไตร-) is a prefix meaning three(fold).
Tone marks, education degrees and military ranks
The alternate set of numerals used to name tonal marks (ไม้, "mai"), educational degrees (ปริญญา, "parinya"), and military rankings derive from names of Sanskrit numerals.
ee also
*
Thai language
*Thai alphabet
*Thai six-hour clock
*Chinese numerals
*The Royal Institute of Thailand External links
* [http://rirs3.royin.go.th/dictionary.asp Thai Royal Institute On-line Dictionary] (ORID 1999) [TH: พจนานุกรม ฉบับราชบัณฑิตยสถาน พ.ศ. ๒๕๔๒]
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