thais: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal. Commonly used in geographic, cultural, and demographic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “thais” mean?
The plural form of 'Thai', referring to the people of Thailand.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The plural form of 'Thai', referring to the people of Thailand.
Can refer more broadly to individuals of Thai nationality, ethnicity, or cultural background. In some historical contexts, it may also refer to ancient peoples of the region now known as Thailand.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Neutral demographic/cultural term in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both British and American English due to its specific referent.
Grammar
How to Use “thais” in a Sentence
[determiner] + Thais + [verb in plural form]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in market analysis or reports discussing consumer demographics in Thailand.
Academic
Used in anthropology, sociology, or geography papers discussing the population of Thailand.
Everyday
Used in general conversation about travel, culture, or international news.
Technical
Used in official demographic statistics or census data.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thais”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thais”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thais”
- Using 'Thai' as a plural (e.g., 'Many Thai live there' – incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'Thia's' (incorrect possessive).
- Pronouncing it as /θaɪs/ (with a voiceless 'th' as in 'thin').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Plural. The singular form is 'a Thai' or 'a Thai person'.
Yes, as it derives from a proper noun (Thailand).
It is pronounced /taɪz/, rhyming with 'ties' or 'flies'. The initial sound is a /t/, not the 'th' sound as in 'think'.
No. 'Thais' only refers to the people. The language is called 'Thai' (uncountable).
The plural form of 'Thai', referring to the people of Thailand.
Thais is usually neutral to formal. commonly used in geographic, cultural, and demographic contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specifically with 'Thais']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"Thais" sounds like "ties"; imagine many colourful traditional ties representing the diverse people of Thailand.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PEOPLE IS A NATION (e.g., 'Thais are known for their hospitality' personifies the national group).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'Thais' correctly?