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You are here: Home / Learn Thai - Fast / 10 Things You Can Say Other Than Sawadee Khrup!

10 Things You Can Say Other Than Sawadee Khrup!

As a foreigner in Thailand, you'll find yourself saying “Sawadee khrup/ka (hello)” a good 10 times a day, which is a good thing – because it means you're living in a friendly place, right?

On my walk to the MRT station of a morning, I have at least six “sawadee khrups” to complete on the way.

It goes something like this: My neighbour, the condo maid, security, the apartment block owner, the old lady who collects plastic, my fruit stall lady, and the hairdresser's in the salon where I get my head shaved.

This can easily extend to more if the ice cream man is around, if I pop into the restaurant downstairs or the ladyboy two doors down is stumbling in from the night before.

Sawadee khrup

A “sa-wa-dee khrup” always provokes a smile 🙂

Don't get me wrong; it's not a chore – I enjoy the interactions.

The polite nature of saying “hello” with a smile to people you see regularly creates a sense of community, and as a foreigner makes me feel part of that community.

I have seen this same community spirit in all the areas I have lived in Thailand.

People don't have to say “hello”, but most go out of their way to do so, which is nice.

Of course there will come a point where you want to say a little more than just “hello” with those you see regularly.

And I guarantee many of the Thai people you come into contact with each day will want to say more to you too, even if just to be nosey and see what you do for work and who your girlfriend/boyfriend is.

This is a bit of a stumbling block if the only two things you can say are “Sawadee krup/ka”, and “Sabai dee mai khrup/ka”?

These two phrases get a little repetitive and somewhat boring for the recipient.

So, for those of you who don't speak much Thai, I'm going to arm you with 10 more Thai language sentences you can integrate easily into passing conversation.

This will improve your ability to speak Thai and help you develop friendships with the locals.

These are all common phrases and questions regularly used by Thais, and will help casual “hellos” blossom into light friendships.

Be sure to check out the video at the end to help with your pronunciation:

*BTW, as always, it's polite (necessary) to add “Khrup” (for a man) and “Ka” (for a lady) to the end of these questions/statements.

1. Ben yang ngai bang khrup/ka? – What's up? / what's going on?

เป็นอย่างไงบ้างครับ/คะ

This is similar to “Saibaidee mai khrup/ka” but less formal. It's a welcome alternative if you're kind of bored of the same “how are you” greeting.

This is the preferred way of asking someone you see on a regular basis: “What's been going on? / what's happening? / what's up?”

2. Mai jer gaan nan leuy khrup/ka! – I haven't see you for a long time!

ม่เจอกันนานเลยครับ/ค่ะ

This is a statement you'll want to use when you haven't seen a particular person around in a while. No doubt they'll be chuffed that you noticed they'd been gone a while.

3. Gin khao ruu yang khrup/ka? – Have you eaten yet?

กินข้าวหรือยังครับ/คะ

Sounds like a funny thing to ask someone after saying “hello”, right?

Not at all. In fact, at one time this was used as a primary greeting in Thailand.

You will regularly hear Thais ask friends and people they see daily around the neighbourhood whether or not they have eaten.

For Thai people, this similar to asking how someone is because it indicates that you care about their welfare.

If the answer is “Gin leow!” (Eaten already), you can follow up with, “Gin arai khrup/ka?” (What did you eat?)

When the person tells you what they ate, you might like to finish the conversation with, “Arroy mai khrup/ka?” (Was it delicious?)

This will get you a guaranteed chuckle and probably make someone's day: “The farang spoke to me and he can speak Thai!!”

4. Pai nai maa khrup/ka? – Where have you been?

ไปไหนมาครับ/คะ

This question is ideal in passing because you are able to enquire as to where the person is coming back from.

Of course, to ask where the person is going, simply cut out “Maa” and say “Pai nai khrup/ka”.

Again this is very commonly used among Thais, so you won't make yourself look silly in anyway.

When the person in question tells you where they've been, you might choose to answer by saying, “Oh, lor”. (Really, okay).

5. Wanee du dee jang leuy khrup/ka! – Today you look very good!

วันนี้ดูดีจังครับ/ค่ะ

This is quite a flattering statement, so don't over use it. Use it when a lady has changed her hair or has clearly made an effort to dress nicely.

If you are a woman saying this to a Thai man, perhaps reserve it for when you see a friend wearing a suit, rather than saying it to the security guard of your apartment, who may get the impression that you want to tickle his pickle!

6. Fon ja dok leow khrup/ka! – It's going to rain!

ฝนจะตกแล้วครับ/ค่ะ

An absolute favourite in the “Thai small talk” dictionary is commenting on the potential for it to rain, or the fact that it has already started.

Although you may recognise the word “Leow” on the end of this sentence as meaning “already”, the “Ja” before “Dok” (rain) means “will”. Literally translated, “rain will fall already”.

So if it looks like rain you can say, “Fon ja dok leow!” As you pass by.

7. Wanee rawn (lawn) jang leuy khrup/ka! – It's very hot today!

วันนี้ร้อนจังเลยครับ/ค่ะ

Yes, it's weather related again, which suits us Brits because all we talk about is weather and tea!

“Wanee” (today), “Rawn” (hot – often sounds like it starts with an ‘L' but in fact it's and ‘R' sound).

This is a great in and out statement that probably won't provoke the recipient to say much more than “Rawn”! At which point you can slip by and prepare your next encounter.

8. Wanee tam ngan mai khrup/ka? – Are you working today?

วันนี้ทำงานไหมครับ/คะ

It's always nice when someone takes an interest in what you are doing.

So you might use this question when you see a friend who looks like they might be off to work on a Saturday or Sunday.

If the person is working, the answer might be a short “Chai ka/khrub” with a slight frown to indicate mild discontent. Or, if they have a day off  (Wan yuut”), they might smile (“Yim”) and say; “Wanee mai tam ngan khrup/ka”.

9. Khun nuai mai khrup/ka? – Are you tired?

คุณเหนื่อยไหมครับ/คะ

You might follow up by asking, “(Khun) nuai mai khrup/ka”, meaning “Are you tired?”.

This recognition of hard work will no doubt put you in the good books of the person you're speaking to.

You can drop the “Khun” (meaning “you”) if you like. Most Thai people will do the same, and simply say “Nuai mai khrub/ka”.

10. Leow jer gaan na khrup/ka! – See you later!

แล้วเจอกันนะครับ/คะ

No conversation is complete without saying goodbye. But rather than say “Goodbyeeee” in that familiar Thai adaptation, use “Leow jer gaan khrup/ka” for “See you later”, or “Jer gaan leow leow nee khrup/ka” for “See you soon”.

Here's the audio for all 10 questions and statements.

You will hear the English first and then you'll hear the Thai.

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Last Updated on October 20, 2017

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. wayne sund says

    May 11, 2021 at 4:04 am

    I spent many years in Thailand and have forgotten a lot of phrases, especially addressing people i.e. saswadee (to a person younger than yourself), or to a relation to your girlfriend/boyfriend (aunt, uncle, etc. Any help please? Much appreciated.
    Reply

    May 11, 2021 at 4:04 am

  2. Jeanie Carr says

    March 10, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    I am using the phrase sawasdee in a written form and that seems to be the correct spelling, as far as I can tell, but I have also seen it written as sawadee and sa-wa-dee. Do you know what would be the proper way to spell this word so that english readers understand it, but it would be honoring to the Thai language?
    Thank you!
    Reply

    Mar 10, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      March 10, 2021 at 10:44 pm

      Sawasdee is a common form, but this usually leads English speakers to pronounce the S in the middle and then it sounds incorrect. Sawadee sounds closer to how it is spoken. Using hyphens helps people break up the syllables - sa-wa-dee.
      Reply

      Mar 10, 2021 at 10:44 pm

  3. Grace says

    August 13, 2020 at 11:16 pm

    I'm a bit concerned, this article looks similar to yours. Are you the same author of this article? Here is the link: https://www.chiangraitimes.com/learning/english-mentors-tips/learning-thai-with-jen-10-things-you-can-say-other-than-sawadee-khrup/amp/

    it would be best to disregard my comment if there's nothing wrong with both of your articles, I'm just stuck at home. Peace out. Let's hope for the CoViD-19 vaccine.
    Reply

    Aug 13, 2020 at 11:16 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      August 13, 2020 at 11:52 pm

      Wow, they just totally stole my article and didn't even ask! Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
      Reply

      Aug 13, 2020 at 11:52 pm

  4. Craig says

    February 4, 2019 at 7:06 am

    Hello and for beginners just starting out it is a great forum you putting out there to get people get motivated in respecting there culture and being part of there lives ..
    All countries are putting an effort in learning languages to participate in visiting .. good idea we all put an effort in to learn a little and you will find they will respect you more .. keep up the the good work ..
    Reply

    Feb 04, 2019 at 7:06 am

  5. Peter Daniels says

    November 9, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    Thanks for your efforts it's much appreciated and needed. I am curious why the English word equivalent is not always spelled the way Thai would pronounce. E.g. Khrup is pronounced Krap, there is no "U" to be found.
    Reply

    Nov 09, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      November 9, 2017 at 5:21 pm

      Hi Peter, the transliteration is generally spelt this way because the proper pronunciation should sound more like 'khrup' than 'krap'. More often than not it sounds like 'kup' because it is said quickly and lazily, but when properly pronounced you will hear that 'r' roll off the tongue.
      Reply

      Nov 09, 2017 at 5:21 pm

  6. John says

    February 14, 2017 at 11:55 am

    I never say Swadee Kap. Aroon Sa Wat is good ( very early ) morning. Swadee Don Chow, later morning. Swadee Don Tian, good afternoon, Swadee Don Yen, good early evening ( 4.00pm to 7.00pm) Swadee Dom Coum ( Good Evening. 7.00 Pm onwards). Best idea is Spydee Mia, how you doing? Although the Loas people seem to economise and leave out the Mai, or Baw, as it would be in Loas/ Isaan. In fact, Loas people can get rather upset if you say Speidy with the Mai after it, or with Kaa after it as a polite response. Once, when a Loas guy walking past said " Spydee" to me, and I replied " Spydee Kaa", he stopped me and explained no, no, it means how are you doing. Hoo, Hoo, Hian Leow, I replied, I know, I know, have learned already. Noticed that sometimes Loas people can get a little upset if you use Central Thai rather than Loas/ Isaan. Also got corrected that a school is a Hong Hian, not a Rong Rian. All Loations watch Thai TV, but a few get defensive about Loas language. The majority don't have any issue with it though. One thing that I have seen that causes endless confusion is when Thai people say that they can speak Loas, when they actually mean that they speak Isaan. I think that sometimes, difficult though it may seem to believe, some Thsi people actually believe that the two languages are identical. Seen some rather confused Isaan girls when I tell them that Loas for glass is Jar, and Gay- awl is bottle. No, no, they will say, Gayowe is Glass and Cooat is Bottle, the confusion coming from their term " Wow Lao" meaning " Wow Isaan". Heard of some instances where Farang husbands who are visiting Loas with their Isaan wife asking why his wife is having problems understanding Loa, considering that she previously told him that she can speak it. From what I understand, in such instances, the Loas person and the Isaan person will both revert to speaking in Central Thai, so that they can understand each other. Rather comical considering that Isaan was derived from Lao.
    Reply

    Feb 14, 2017 at 11:55 am

  7. David says

    December 4, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    Thank you for theses phrases and also the audio on how to properly pronounce them?. I plan on going to you website so I hopefully can learn a few things to say during my next visit to Thailand. I visited there this past October 2015. I loved it there. The 2 people I went to visit were as nice as could be, I met the bothe of them through face book. The woman I knew for 5 years and her friend I knew for about 3-4 years. With his prodding me I decided to go and visit (her) and him. It was the first time I ever traveled abroad. I absolutely love Thailand and the people. And the food everywhere I went from the cheapest local out of the way places to the higher end dinning had the best food I have ever eaten. I am definitely going to visit again.... And again and again.....
    Reply

    Dec 04, 2015 at 5:55 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      December 4, 2015 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks David. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. It's always good to hear such positive experiences from people visiting Thailand. There's more audio lessons here for you: https://www.thethailandlife.com/learn-thaiAll the best.
      Reply

      Dec 04, 2015 at 10:09 pm

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