ได้
get
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 get、receive、obtain、gain
- 2 can、be able to、be possible to
- 3 may、be allowed to、be okay to
- 4 did、got to do、had the chance to do
- 5 OK、sure、yes, I can、that’s fine
ได้ centers on the idea that something is obtained, possible, allowed, or successfully happens. Before a noun it often means “get,” after a verb it often marks ability, possibility, or permission, and before a verb it can show that an action actually took place or that someone had the chance to do it.
get、receive、obtain、gain
This use means to get, receive, obtain, or gain something, whether it is a concrete thing or an abstract result such as a job, money, score, or information.
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ได้งานใหม่ dâay ŋaan mày get a new job ได้งานใหม่ details
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เขาได้เงินเดือนเท่าไร khǎw dâay ŋən dʉan thâw ray How much salary does he get? เขาได้เงินเดือนเท่าไร details
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ฉันได้คะแนนดี chǎn dâay khanɛɛn dii I got a good score. ฉันได้คะแนนดี details
can、be able to、be possible to
Placed after a verb, ได้ shows that the action can be done, either because of ability, conditions, or practical possibility.
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พูดไทยได้ phûut thay dâay can speak Thai พูดไทยได้ details
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วันนี้ไม่ได้ wan níi mây dâay Today won’t work. วันนี้ไม่ได้ details
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อันนี้กินได้ไหม an níi kin dâay mǎy Can this be eaten? อันนี้กินได้ไหม details
may、be allowed to、be okay to
After a verb, ได้ can mean that an action is allowed or acceptable. It is very common in permission questions and short replies.
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เข้าได้ไหม khâw dâay mǎy May I come in? เข้าได้ไหม details
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นั่งตรงนี้ได้ไหม nâŋ troŋ níi dâay mǎy Can I sit here? นั่งตรงนี้ได้ไหม details
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ชิมได้นะคะ chim dâay ná khá You can try a sample. ชิมได้นะคะ details
did、got to do、had the chance to do
Before a verb, ได้ shows that the action actually happened or that someone had the opportunity to do it. It is not simply a past-tense marker; the main idea is that the action came to happen.
OK、sure、yes, I can、that’s fine
Used by itself, ได้ is a short response meaning “OK,” “sure,” “yes, I can,” or “that’s fine,” depending on context.
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ได้ครับ dâay khráp Sure. ได้ครับ details
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ได้ค่ะ dâay khà Yes, that’s fine. ได้ค่ะ details
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ได้สิ dâay sì Of course. ได้สิ details
Learning notes
Explanation
ได้ is one of the most common Thai words, and its meaning depends strongly on position. The core idea is that something is obtained, possible, allowed, or comes to happen. ได้ + noun means “get” or “receive,” as in ได้เงิน “get money.” Verb + ได้ means the action can be done or is allowed, as in พูดได้ “can speak” or เข้าได้ไหม “may I enter?” ได้ + verb shows that the action actually happened or that the opportunity came up, as in ได้พบ “got to meet.”
Usage
It appears in almost every part of daily conversation: shopping, booking, making requests, asking permission, talking about ability, arranging schedules, and reporting results. Short replies like ได้ครับ and ได้ค่ะ are common in service situations and workplace exchanges.
Caution
Do not treat ได้ as always meaning “can.” ได้ + noun means “get,” verb + ได้ means “can” or “may,” ไม่ได้ + verb often means “did not do,” and verb + ไม่ได้ often means “cannot” or “must not.” Also, ได้ before a verb is not just a simple past-tense marker; it highlights that the action came to happen.
Differences from similar words
1 get synonyms
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รับ focuses on the act of receiving or accepting something. ได้ focuses more on the result of getting something and is used widely with abstract things like jobs, scores, and opportunities.
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ได้รับ is a slightly more formal or complete-sounding way to say “receive” or “be given.” ได้ is the broader everyday word for “get.”
2 can synonyms
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สามารถ means “be able to” and sounds more formal or explicit. ได้ is more natural in everyday speech and covers not only ability but also whether circumstances make something possible.
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เป็น is used for learned skills, such as knowing how to drive or swim. ได้ says that something can actually be done, including because permission, conditions, or circumstances allow it.
3 may synonyms
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อนุญาต means “to permit” and is more explicit and formal. ได้ is the everyday way to say something is okay or allowed.
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ได้เลย is stronger and more encouraging, like “sure, go ahead.” ได้ alone can also grant permission, but it is more neutral.
4 did synonyms
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เคย means “have ever done” or “have experience doing.” ได้ before a verb is broader: it shows that the action actually happened or that the chance to do it came about.
5 OK synonyms
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ตกลง means “agree” or “OK” and is often used for decisions or arrangements. ได้ is a shorter, more flexible reply to requests, permission questions, and possibility questions.
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โอเค is the borrowed casual “OK.” ได้ is a native Thai response and works naturally in shops, workplaces, and everyday conversation.