Pronunciation

[King Tiger]

Ok, I've been confused on the exact pronunciation of Muay Thai since I began training (almost 5 months now). I've heard it said "Moo Thai," "Moy Thai," and "Mway Thai." Which one is correct?

[Lizard]

I've also heard "Moo ee Thai" I think that's the correct one but it sounds a bit stupid.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Do we need a consensus opinion on that or should we just take your word ?

[Khun Kao]

Moo-ay Thai

Slur the "Moo-ay" together so that it sounds almost like one syllable, like saying "Muy" in spanish, only drawing the vowel out a little.

If you call it "Moo Thai", the Thai's will laugh at you. My instructor still laughs about a guy who pronounced it that way ELEVEN YEARS AGO!

At least most Thai's don't seem to get offended by our mispronunciations. But I think its because typically when we mispronounce something, it ends up being either complete nonsense (which if funny) or something filthy or dirty (which is even funnier).

I can't tell you how many times we would mispronounce words in Thai and our instructor would bust out laughing because it usually meant something like "shit" or "cock".

Khun Kao

[terry]

Re: Pronunciation

Originally posted by King Tiger
Ok, I've been confused on the exact pronunciation of Muay Thai since I began training (almost 5 months now). I've heard it said "Moo Thai," "Moy Thai," and "Mway Thai." Which one is correct?

'Moo Thai' is neither English or Thai. It's Ebonics.

[Lizard]

"I can't tell you how many times we would mispronounce words in Thai and our instructor would bust out laughing because it usually meant something like "shit" or "cock". "

LOL
I hate it when people do that (Quote someone just to say "LOL") but you need to let them know they were funny to encourage them to do it again.

[Szczepankiewicz]

Thanks for that lesson in netiquette.

I agree, in my opinion, you do need to let people know when they are funny.

LOL.