Daily Thai Confidence — Using ตัดสินใจ (dtàd-sǐn-jāi)

Verb: ตัดสินใจ (dtàd-sǐn-jāi)
Meaning: to decide / to make a decision

In this Thai lesson, we learn how to use the verb ตัดสินใจ (dtàd-sǐn-jāi), which means ‘to decide’ or ‘to make a decision’. It is used when someone chooses one option after thinking, considering, or weighing possibilities. It focuses on the idea of ‘cutting and judging with the mind’, which reflect the idea of making a firm choice.

Since ตัดสินใจ (dtàd-sǐn-jāi) is a verb, it has to be placed right after the subject of the sentence (ประธานของประโยค — bprà-t^hāan k^hǎwng bprà-yôok), followed by the object of the sentence (กรรมของประโยค — gāam k^hǎwng bprà-yôok).

The typical structure usually follows the pattern: subject + ตัดสินใจ (dtàd-sǐn-jāi) (+ complement — a word or phrase that gives more information about the action or situation).

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

k^hǎo dtàd-sǐn-jāi rīan p^hāa-sǎa Thāi
Literal: He decided learn language Thai.
He decided to learn Thai.

The noun ภาษา (p^hāa-sǎa) means ‘language’. To specify which language, the name of a country is placed after it to form a compound noun referring to a specific language —ภาษา (p^hāa-sǎa) + name of a country. For example: ภาษาไทย (p^hāa-sǎa Thāi = Thai language); ภาษาอังกฤษ (p^hāa-sǎa āng-grìd = English language); ภาษาจีน (p^hāa-sǎa jēen = Chinese language); ภาษาลาว (p^hāa-sǎa lāow = Lao language); เขมร (p^hāa-sǎa k^hà-^hmǎen = Khmer language / Cambodian language); ลาว (p^hāa-sǎa lāow = Lao language); ภาษาพม่า (p^hāa-sǎa p^há-mâa = Burmese language) etc.

t^hēr dtàd-sǐn-jāi t^hêe-jà hǎa ngāan ^hmài p^hrót wâa t^hēr mâi châwb jâo-nāai k^hǎwng-t^hēr
Literal: She decided that-will look for job new because she not like boss belonging to-her.
She decided to look for a new job because she doesn’t like her boss.

The main clause เธอตัดสินใจที่จะหางานใหม่ (t^hēr dtàd-sǐn-jāi t^hêe-jà hǎa ngāan ^hmài = she decided to look for a new job) is structurally complete on its own and expresses the speaker’s decision. The verb ตัดสินใจ (dtàd-sǐn-jāi) is followed by ที่จะ (t^hêe-jà = to) + verb, which introduces the action that was chosen. The conjunction เพราะว่า (p^hrót wâa = because) is used to introduce an adverbial clause of reason, เธอไม่ชอบเจ้านายของเธอ (t^hēr mâi châwb jâo-nāai k^hǎwng-thēr = she doesn’t like her boss). The clause explains why she made the decision to look for a new job. Together, the two clauses are linked to show a clear cause-and-effect relationship. Please note: The word ที่จะ (t^hêe-jà) can be translated as ‘to’ and is often used to introduce the action or event when expressing a future intention, plan, or purpose, similar to the English ‘to-infinitive’. It is often used with verbs of decision, intention, and mental process — verb of mental process + ที่จะ (t^hêe-jà) + verb or verb phrase that show future action. For example: ตัดสินใจที่จะ (dtàd-sǐn-jāi t^hêe-jà = decide to); เลือกที่จะ (lêuak t^hêe-jà = choose to); ตั้งใจที่จะ (dtâng-jāi t^hêe-jà = intend to); วางแผนที่จะ (wāang-p^hǎen t^hêe-jà = plan to); พร้อมที่จะ (p^hráwm t^hêe-jà = ready to); ยอมที่จะ (yāwm t^hêe-jà = willing to) etc.

chǎn dtâwng dtàd-sǐn-jāi gìew-gàb rêuang bpāi t^hām-ngāan t^hêe dtàang jāng-^hwàd
Literal: I have to decide about matter go do-work in different province.
I need to make a decision about going to work in another province.

The main clause ฉันต้องตัดสินใจ (chǎn dtâwng dtàd-sǐn-jāi = I need to make a decision) is structurally complete on its own and clearly states what the person forgot. The prepositional phrase เกี่ยวกับเรื่องไปทำงานที่ต่างจังหวัด (gìew-gàb rêuang bpāi t^hām-ngāan t^hêe dtàang jāng-^hwàd = about going to work in another province) add additional about what the decision is concerning. Within this phrase, เกี่ยวกับ (gìew-gàb = about / regarding) functions as a preposition introducing the noun เรื่อง (rêuang = matter / topic / issue). The verb phrase ไปทำงานที่ต่างจังหวัด (bpāi t^hām-ngāan t^hêe dtàang jāng-^hwàd = to go work in another province) specifying which matter is being discussed.

k^hǎo dtàd-sǐn-jāi lêuak t^hêe-jà mâi dtàwb k^hām-t^hǎam
Literal: He decide that-will not answer word-ask.
He decided not to answer the question.

The noun คำ (k^hām) means ‘word’ and it can be combined with other words to form different meanings. For example: คำถาม (k^hām-t^hǎam = question); คำถาม (k^hām-t^hǎam = question / query); คำตอบ (k^hām-dtàwb = answer / reply / response); คำสั่ง (k^hām-sàng = command / instruction); คำศัพท์ (k^hām-sàb = vocabulary); คำอธิบาย (k^hām-à-t^hí-bāai = explanation); คำแนะนำ (k^hām-náe-nām = advice / suggestion); คำเตือน (k^hām-dtēuan = warning); คำยืนยัน (k^hām-yēun-yān = confirmation); คำปฏิเสธ (k^hām-bpà-dtì-sàed = refusal / denial); คำชม (k^hām-chōm = praise / compliment); คำติ (k^hām-dtì = criticism); คำสัญญา (k^hām-sǎn-yāa = promise); คำพูด (k^hām-p^hûud = speech / words spoken); คำบอกเล่า (k^hām-bàwk-lâo = statement / narration); คำแถลง (k^hām-t^hà-^hlǎeng = statement / announcement / public report); คำวินิจฉัย (k^hām-wí-níd-chǎi = verdict / finding) etc.

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

1. I decided to study Thai seriously.
2. He decided to change job last year.
3. We decided not to go to the party tonight.
4. Many students decided to continue their studies abroad.
5. He made a decision about his own future.

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Urai Khomkham

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