This upper-intermediate listening exercise tells the story of a young woman who receives a job offer from a perfume company overseas. It is a real-life scenario that covers future plans, family decisions, and emotions in Thai.
Listen to the audio first without reading, then scroll down to check the script. The vocabulary and grammar sections will help you pick up useful expressions for talking about career choices and life changes.
Romanization
Sǎwng bpii thîi-láew, lǎan-sǎao khǎwng chán dâi ráb khâw-sà-něr tham-ngaan jàak baw-ri-sàt náam-hǎwm thîi yùu dtàang bprà-thêd.
Man bpen o-gàad thîi hǎa-yâak láe nâa-dtèun-dtên. Dtàe man bplae-wâa ther dtâwng glai jàak khrôb-khrua, phêuan-sà-nìt láe mǎa thîi ther rák.
Lǎng-jàak khíd láe thǎam phô-mâe maa lǎai wan. Ther dtàd-sǐn-jai long tham-ngaan níi duu.
Chán khíd-wâa bpen gaan-dtàd-sǐn-jai thîi dii ná. Ther jà dâi mii o-gàad rian phaa-sǎa mài, wát-thá-ná-tham mài, phát-tha-naa dtua-eng tháng gaan tham-ngaan láe gaan-chái-chii-wít.
Chán láe khrôb-khrua rúu-sèuk-yin-dii gàb ther mâak.
English Translation
“Two years ago, my niece received a job offer from a perfume company located overseas.”
“It's a rare and exciting opportunity. But it means she has to be far from her family, close friends, and the dog she loves.”
“After thinking and asking her parents for many days, she decided to try this job.”
“I think it's a good decision. She will have the chance to learn a new language, a new culture, and develop herself in both work and life.”
“My family and I feel very happy for her.”
Vocabulary Focus
| Thai | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| โอกาส | o-gàat | opportunity |
| หายาก | hǎa-yâak | rare |
| ตัดสินใจ | dtàd-sǐn-jai | to decide |
| วัฒนธรรม | wát-thá-ná-tham | culture |
| พัฒนา | phát-tha-naa | to develop |
| รู้สึกยินดี | rúu-sèuk-yin-dii | to feel happy for someone |
โอกาส
o-gàat
opportunity
หายาก
hǎa-yâak
rare
ตัดสินใจ
dtàd-sǐn-jai
to decide
วัฒนธรรม
wát-thá-ná-tham
culture
พัฒนา
phát-tha-naa
to develop
รู้สึกยินดี
rúu-sèuk-yin-dii
to feel happy for someone
Grammar Focus: Using “จะ” (jà) for “Will”
The word “จะ” (jà) means “will” and is placed before a verb to express future intentions or predictions. Here are some examples:
ฉันจะไปเรียนภาษาไทยในปีหน้า
Chán jà bpai rian phaa-sǎa Thai nai bpii nâa.
I will go to study Thai next year.
เขาจะทำงานที่บริษัทใหม่
Khǎo jà tham-ngaan thîi baw-ri-sàt mài.
He will work at a new company.
เราจะไปเที่ยวต่างประเทศในฤดูร้อน
Rao jà bpai thîao dtàang bprà-thêd nai rêue-duu rón.
We will travel abroad in the summer.
ครอบครัวจะสนับสนุนเธอเสมอ
Khrôb-khrua jà sà-nàb-sà-nǔn ther sà-měr.
The family will always support her.
Practice Tips
- Watch the YouTube video once without reading. How much did you understand from the audio alone?
- Read along with the romanization on a second listen.
- Try to retell the story in your own words using the vocabulary above.
- Practice forming your own sentences with “จะ” (jà) to talk about your future plans.
Want more structured listening practice? Nariss's video courses include hours of listening material at every level. Or continue practicing with the next listening exercise: Moving House.
