Jingjok
How to disagree in Thai
hěn-dûai
A flat ไม่เห็นด้วย 'I disagree' can sound confrontational, especially to someone older or senior, because open disagreement risks someone's face. Thais tend to disagree in layers. Agree with part first (ก็จริงนะ แต่…), hedge (ไม่ค่อยเห็นด้วยเท่าไหร่, อาจจะ…มั้ง), ask a question instead of making a claim (แล้วถ้า…ล่ะ? 'and what if…?'), or say it privately later. Silence or a vague ก็ได้ can mean disagreement too. With close friends, people are blunter and argue for fun. When you are the one being disagreed with this softly, take it seriously: the message is often stronger than the words.
Try this today
In your next discussion, try ก็จริงนะ แต่… instead of a straight 'no'.
The words that carry it
Learn this in “Opinions and discussion” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
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