WordGarden.iobaht
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈɑːt/
US
- /ˈbɑt/
Meanings
Noun
the basic monetary unit of Thailand
a Thai unit of weight, especially for gold
Beyond the definition
The word is the official currency of Thailand, much like the dollar in the United States or the euro in many European countries. If you are traveling there, you will likely convert money into this currency for food, rides, markets, hotels, and other daily expenses. Prices are commonly shown as ฿100 (or THB 100), and people often quote costs "in" it. Keeping an eye on the exchange rate helps with budgeting.
Historically, the term comes from old Siam (the former name of Thailand), where it was once linked to a unit of silver weight. It later became the name of Thailand’s official money system, while the old foreign term "tical" gradually fell out of use. Today, one main unit is divided into 100 satang, and you can find coins (for example, 1, 2, 5, and 10) as well as banknotes from 20 to 1,000.
You may also hear the word used in expressions about value, especially in phrases like “not worth a single baht,” which means something has little or no value in practical terms. In most real-world use, though, it simply refers to Thai money in daily commerce.
Examples
- 1
Taxi fare
The taxi from the airport to the hotel cost about 400 baht.
- 2
Street food
Most street-food dishes were under 100 baht, so eating out was cheap.
- 3
Online prices
The website shows prices in baht, so check the exchange rate before you book.
See also
Similar
- Thai currency
- THB
Contrast
- foreign currency
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- Thai baht
- baht exchange rate
- pay in baht
Explore
- satang
- legal tender
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- bahtnoun