Thai Word: ใส่ (sài)

Meaning: to put in / to insert / to add / to put on / to wear
Part of Speech: verb

The verb ใส่ (sài) is highly versatile and frequently used in everyday conversations. Depending on the context, it can mean ‘to wear,’ ‘to put in,’ to add,’ ‘to insert,’ or ‘to place’. One of the most common uses of ใส่ (sài) is when talking about wearing clothes, shoes, or accessories. In this context, it means ‘to wear’ or ‘to put on’.  Look at the sentence examples below:

(k^hǎo sài sêua sěe dāeng t^húk wān)
He wears a red shirt every day.
Literal: He wear top colour read every day.

(chǎn mâi châwb sài rāwng-t^háo sôn sǔung)
I don’t like wearing high heels.
Literal: I not like wear shoes heel high.

(t^hēr sài wâen-dtāasǎm-^hràb àan ^hnǎng-sěu)
She wore glasses for reading.
Literal: She wear glasses-eye for read book.

(t^hēr dtàd-sǐn-jāi sài chúd-grà-bprōng bprōod k^hǎwng-t^hēr bpāi ngāan-líang)
She decided to wear her favourite dress to the party.
Literal: She decide wear dress favourite belonging to-her go event-take care.

Another important usage of the verb ใส่ (sài) is in cooking or adding ingredients. When preparing food or drink, the verb ใส่ (sài) means ‘to put in’ or ‘to add’ something to a dish. Look at the sentence examples below:

(grà-rú-nāa sài nám-dtāan nóy-lūng ^hnòi)
Please add a little less sugar.
Literal: Please put in sugar less a little.

(t^hēr châwb sài p^hrík yéuh)
She likes to add a lot of chili.
Literal: She like put in chili a lot.

(k^hǎo sài nám-dtāan ^hnèung cháwn-chāa láew k^hōn gāa-fāe)
He put in one teaspoon of sugar and stirred the coffee.
Literal: He put in sugar one spoon-tea then stir coffee.

(t^hēr sài bāi sà-rá-^hnàe ^hnèung bāi nāi chāa p^hêua p^hêuhm ród-châad)
She added a mint leaf to the tea to enhance the flavour.
Literal: She put in leaf mint one leaf in tea in order to add extra flavour.

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With all my heart, 💛 — Urai