Daily Thai Confidence — Using มี (mēe)

Pronoun: มี (mēe)
Meaning: there is / there are / there was / there were

In this Thai lesson, we will learn how to use the word มี (mēe) to mean ‘there is,’ ‘there are,’ ‘there was,’ or ‘there were’. In this structure, the word มี (mēe) is not used to show possession. Instead, it is used to say that something exists or is present in a place or situation. When the word มี (mēe) is used in this way, the speaker is introducing new information — something that appears, exists, or can be found.

Because the focus is on existence rather than on who owns something, มี (mēe) is placed at the beginning of the sentence, before the noun. This is different from using มี (mēe) as the verb ‘to have,’ where it comes after the subject.

The typical structure usually follow the pattern: มี (mēe) + noun) (+ complement — a word or phrase that gives more information about the object of the sentence, such as location, time, or manner).

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

mēe māew ^awyùu nāi hâwng
Literal: Have cat to be situated in room.
There is a cat in the room.

The main clause มีแมว (mēe māew = there is a cat) is structurally complete on its own and already introduces the existence of the cat. The speaker adds extra information with a verb phrase อยู่ในห้อง (^awyùu nāi hâwng = is in the room), which specifies the location of the cat. Please note: The verb อยู่ (^awyùu = to be located / to be situated / is / am / are) is used to indicate location of someone or something. It is often followed by a preposition of place and then a location — subject + อยู่ (^awyùu = to be located / to be situated / is / am / are) + preposition + location.

mēe ráan gāa-fāe ^awyùu glâi bâan k^hǎwng-chǎn
Literal: Have shop coffee to be located near house belonging to-me.
There’s a coffee shop near my house.

The main clause มีร้านกาแฟ (mēe ráan gāa-fāe = there is a coffee shop) is structurally complete on its own. The speaker adds extra information with a verb phrase อยู่ใกล้บ้านของฉัน (^awyùu glâi bâan k^hǎwng-chǎn = is near my house), which specifies the location of the coffee shop. Please note: The verb อยู่ (^awyùu = to be located / to be situated / is / am / are) is used to indicate location of someone or something. It is often followed by a preposition of place and then a location — subject + อยู่ (^awyùu = to be located / to be situated / is / am / are) + preposition + location.

mēe ráan sà-dùak-séu ^awyùu t^hêe mūm t^hà-^hnǒn
Literal: Have shop convenient-to buy to be located at corner road.
There’s a convenience store on the corner of the street.

The main clause มีร้านสะดวกซื้อ (mēe ráan sà-dùak-séu = there is a convenience store) is structurally complete on its own. The speaker adds extra information with a verb phrase อยู่ที่มุมถนน (^awyùu t^hêe mūm t^hà-^hnǒn = is at the corner of the street), which indicates the location of the convenience store. Please note: The verb อยู่ (^awyùu = to be located / to be situated / is / am / are) is used to indicate location of someone or something. It is often followed by a preposition of place and then a location — subject + อยู่ (^awyùu = to be located / to be situated / is / am / are) + preposition + location.

mēe k^hōn yéuh t^hêe dtà-^hlàad dtāwn chǎn bpāi séu gàb-k^hâow mêua cháo née
Literal: Have people a lot at market when I go buy with-rice at the time when morning this.
There were a lot of people at the market when I went to buy food this morning.

The main clause มีคนเยอะ (mēe k^hōn yéuh = there were a lot of people) is structurally complete on its own. The speaker adds extra information with a prepositional phrase ที่ตลาด (t^hêe dtà-^hlàad = at the market), which indicates the location of the people. The speaker then add even more information by adding time adverbial phrase ตอนฉันไปซื้อกับข้าวเมื่อเช้านี้ (dtāwn chǎn bpāi séu gàb-k^hâow mêua cháo née = when I went to buy food earlier this morning), which tells us when the event happened. Please note: The word กับข้าว (gàb-k^hâow) literally ‘with-rice’. It usually refers to the dishes that are served to eat with rice, such as stir-fries, curries, or side dishes. However, in everyday conversation, กับข้าว (gàb-k^hâow) can also refer more broadly to food or ingredients, especially when talking about buying food for the household — similar to the English phrase ‘weekly shop’ or ‘groceries’.

Practise putting your newly learned Thai word into a sentence by translating the following sentences below.

1. There is a book on the table.
2. There are many students in the classroom.
3. There is a restaurant next to the cinema.
4. There was a problem with the computer earlier this morning.
5. The were several interesting books in the library.

About Post Author

Urai Khomkham

Hi, I’m Urai Khomkham, a Thai language teacher and the creator of Thai Language Tuition UK. I help learners understand how Thai really works, so they can stop guessing and start feeling confident using the language in real life. Inside the community, I share clear lessons, practical explanations, and gentle guidance to support steady, meaningful progress — without pressure or overwhelm. I also share free Thai lessons and learning tips on my YouTube channel, where I break things down step by step and help you build strong foundations at your own pace. By subscribing, you’re not only supporting your own learning — you’re also helping me continue creating free resources to support you and other learners on their Thai journey.

See author's posts