What is the difference in pronunciation for 'difficult' and 'want' in Thai, since they both sound 'yuck'?

Answer 1

It's important to note that in the Thai language, both of these words are spelled slightly different. The word for "to want," or อยาก (yaak) is spelled with the letter อ (aw ang) before the ยาก portion. So อ + ยาก = ยาก. It is pronounced with a lower tone.

The word for "difficult," or ยาก (yaak) is spelled without อ. It is pronounced with a falling tone.

I mention the difference in spelling because this changes the tone each word has. Perhaps the visual of the word can help you remember that they are spelled differently, and therefore they sound differently.