Remember when you were a child and had birthday parties where all your friends came and gave you gifts? And then when you became an adult, a birthday became more just hanging out with friends for the night? For Thai children, the parents would usually take the kids out for the day. To go play at the park, see a museum, and eat ice-cream.

For Thai adult birthdays it’s very similar to what westerners do. The stereotypical Thai would go out and party/drink the night away – especially the guys. As such, some words below aren’t all useful for a Thai birthday. But all are generally useful words nonetheless.

How old are you?

Kun1 aa1yu4 tow3rai2

คุณอายุเท่าไหร่?

I am x years old.

x bpee1 laew4

x ปีแล้ว (for adults)

x kuab2 laew4

x ขวบแล้ว (for children)

note: Kuab2 should be used for children, and bpee1 should be used for adults. There really is no age line between kuab2 and bpee1 – use your own descretion. Using Google, I’ve determined that age 14 and below is very common for kuab2, while its usage drops slowly as we approach age 20, and then it’s rarely used for age 21 and after. I’d personally draw the line at age 14, given this evidence.

When is your birthday?

Kun1 mee1 wan1 gerd2 meua3rai2

คุณมีวันเกิดเมื่อไหร่?

Today is my birthday.

Wan1nee4bpen1wan1gerd2pom5

วันนี้เป็นวันเกิดผม