Anecdotal Comparison of Chinese and Thai

For reference, I started learning Mandarin at age 23. Thai came later at 25.
I learned both in their respective countries and speak both fairly fluently.

This does not mean I can converse on every topic nor does it imply 100% accuracy.

flu·en·cy | /ˈflo͞oənsē/ | the ability to express oneself easily and articulately.

Both are tonal, share a comparable grammar structure, very economical (unlike English) and share a similar paradigm of thought.

For example:

"Have you eaten rice yet?" has a comparable construction (Eat Rice already Not/ or Yet), consists of 4 syllables, and is the common greeting in both languages.

Both share a similar literalness to language formation.

ฟ้าร้อง - thunder - sky cry (TH)
电话 - phone - electric talk (CH)

Despite their similarities, I've personally found Chinese far easier to grasp.

Thai has always felt elusive, slippery and just out of reach -- as if attempting to wield a flimsy reed as opposed to a heavier, sturdier sword that is Mandarin. I credit this to the melodic, sing-song element of Thai whereas Mandarin is sharper and more terse.

I can firmly grip Mandarin but only cradle Thai.
Thai is gentle, Mandarin is harsh. I sing Thai and bark Mandarin.

Another factor is the seemingly looser structure of spoken Thai. Its language at times appears to merely compliment feelings/ vibes - almost secondary in nature to the feeling imparted on the listener. Words are jumbled together - lacking any coherent structure - and thrown at the recipient to "get" the message.

Mandarin and more so English has a certain rigidity that is in many ways comforting. The parameters provide a sense of order that may be relied upon. A clear right and a clear wrong. This matters in the beginning of learning any new system.

So often I hear ก็ได้ in response to questions of Thai syntax and word choice.

Literally translated to: also can.

If seemingly any structure is valid, then what am I to hold on to?

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