The Thai word บ้าง baang3, in English, roughly translates as ‘some’. It’s a fairly common word that, if used, can modify/enhance your sentences. Please keep in mind that this is not to be confused with the similar word baang1 บาง which can also mean ‘some’, but used entirely differently (see next posting).

There are three ways you can use this word:

1)      For a list of items

2)      ‘some’ of something

3)      Make yourself sound a bit more polite

 

There is something [I] need to buy.

มีอะไรต้องซื้อ

Mee1 a1rai1 dtawng3 sue4

 

There are some things [I] need to buy. <= a list

มีอะไรต้องซื้อบ้าง

Mee1 a1rai1 dtawng3 sue4 baang3

 

Do [you] need to buy anything?

ต้องซื้ออะไรไหม?

dtawng3 sue4 a1rai1 mai5

 

What are the things [you] need to buy? <= a list

ต้องซื้ออะไรบ้าง?

dtawng3 sue4 a1rai1 baang3

 

Please help.

ขอช่วยครับ

Kaw5 chuay3 krap4

 

Please help a little. <= be more polite

ขอช่วยบ้างครับ

Kaw5 chuay3 baang3 krap4

 

Can I ask for you to help a little? <= be more polite

ขอช่วยบ้างได้ไหมครับ?

Kaw5 chuay3 baang3 dai3 mai5 krap4

 

[I] want to eat [it].

อยากกิน

Yaak2 gin1

 

[I] want to eat some [of it]. <= ‘some’ of something

อยากกินบ้าง

Yaak2 gin1 baang3

 

[I] want a ‘special friend’.

อยากมีกิ๊ก

Yaak2 mee1 gig4

 

[I] want a few ‘special friends’. <= ‘some’ of something

อยากมีกิ๊กบ้าง

Yaak2 mee1 gig4 baang3

 

Do [you] know?

รู้ไหม?

Ruu4 mai5

 

Do [you] know any? <= ‘some’ of something

รู้บ้างไหม?

Ruu4 baang3 mai5

 

Who can answer me? <= ‘some’ of something and/or be more polite

ใครตอบผมได้บ้าง?

Krai1 dtawb2 pom5 dai3 baang3

 

Which shirt do you like?

ชอบเสื้อตัวไหน?

Chawb3 sua3 dtua1 nai5

 

Which shirts do you like? <= a list

ชอบเสื้อตัวไหนบ้าง?

Chawb3 sua3 dtua1 nai5 baang3

 

I’m rich.

ผมรวย

Pom5 ruay1

 

I’m a little rich. (but not very rich) <= ‘some’ of something

ผมรวยบ้าง

Pom5 ruay1 baang3

 

Do you love me?

รักผมไหม?

Rak4 pom5 mai5

 

Do you love me a little? (or at all?) <= ‘some’ of something

รักผมบ้างไหม?

Rak4 pom5 baang3 mai5

 

I travel to Bangkok occasionally. <= ‘some’ of something

ผมไปเที่ยวกรุงเทพฯบ้าง

Pom5 bai1 tiew3 grung1 tep3 baang3