Greetings

1. สวัสดีครับ / สวัสดีค่ะ

   Sàwàtdi khráp / Sàwàtdi khâ

   Hello

   Usage

   Universal greeting used at any time of day. Pair with a wai (palms together) for extra politeness

   Grammar Note

   Thai adds a polite particle at the end of sentences: "khrap" (male) or "kha" (female). Word order is SVO, similar to English

2. ขอบคุณครับ / ขอบคุณค่ะ

   Khòp khun khráp / Khòp khun khâ

   Thank you

   Grammar Note

   "Khop khun" is a compound of "khop" (gratitude) + "khun" (you). Literally "grateful to you". Casual form: "khop jai"

3. ยินดีครับ / ยินดีค่ะ

   Yin di khráp / Yin di khâ

   You're welcome

   Usage

   Response to being thanked. "Mai pen rai" (never mind) is also commonly used

   Grammar Note

   "Yin di" is an adjective meaning "pleased". Also used to mean "you're welcome". "Mai pen rai" (never mind) is equally common

4. ขอโทษครับ / ขอโทษค่ะ

   Khǒ thôt khráp / Khǒ thôt khâ

   Sorry / Excuse me

   Usage

   Used both for apologies and to get attention. Covers everything from "excuse me" to sincere apologies

   Grammar Note

   "Kho thot" literally means "to ask for a penalty / forgiveness". Works for light "excuse me" to deep apologies. A stronger version: "kho thot ching ching"

5. ใช่ครับ / ใช่ค่ะ

   Châi khráp / Châi khâ

   Yes

   Grammar Note

   "Chai" confirms a statement is correct. For a simple yes/no answer, just "khrap" or "kha" also works

6. ไม่ใช่ครับ / ไม่ใช่ค่ะ

   Mâi châi khráp / Mâi châi khâ

   No

   Usage

   "Mai" is the negation word used in many phrases. "Mai pen rai" means "never mind"

   Grammar Note

   Thai negation is formed by placing "mai" before the verb/adjective. "Mai chai" = "not correct" = no. As in English, the negation comes before the predicate (unlike Japanese, where it follows)

7. เข้าใจครับ / เข้าใจค่ะ

   Khâo jai khráp / Khâo jai khâ

   I understand

   Grammar Note

   "Khao jai" literally means "enter the heart". Thai uses "jai" (heart) in many emotional expressions: "jai di" (kind-hearted = good heart)

8. ไม่เข้าใจครับ / ไม่เข้าใจค่ะ

   Mâi khâo jai khráp / Mâi khâo jai khâ

   I don't understand

   Grammar Note

   Simply "mai" (not) placed before "khao jai" (understand) from greet-007. Thai negation is formed by prepending "mai" — no other changes needed

9. คุณพูดภาษาอังกฤษได้ไหมครับ / คะ

   Khun phût phasǎ Angkrìt dâi mǎi khráp / khá

   Can you speak English?

   Usage

   Useful in a pinch. Staff at tourist spots often understand English

   Grammar Note

   "Dai mai" is a set phrase for "can you?" — "mai" is the question marker, "dai" marks ability or permission

10. กรุณาพูดช้าๆ ได้ไหมครับ / คะ

    Kàrúna phût chá chá dâi mǎi khráp / khá

    Could you please speak slowly?

    Grammar Note

    "Karuna" is a formal polite request marker. "Cha cha" uses reduplication (repeating the word) to soften and emphasize "slowly" — a common Thai pattern

11. คุณชื่ออะไรครับ / คะ

    Khun chûe àrai khráp / khá

    What's your name?

    Grammar Note

    The question word "arai" (what) goes at the end of the sentence — unlike English but similar to Japanese

12. ผมชื่อ… / ฉันชื่อ…

    Phǒm chûe… / Chǎn chûe…

    My name is…

    Usage

    "Phom" is the male first-person pronoun; "chan" is the female first-person pronoun

    Grammar Note

    Thai first-person pronouns differ by gender: "phom" (male), "chan" (female). "Chue" acts as both noun (name) and verb (to be named)

13. สบายดีไหมครับ / คะ

    Sàbai di mǎi khráp / khá

    How are you?

    Usage

    The reply is "Sabai di khrap/kha" — "I'm fine"

    Grammar Note

    "Sabai di" = comfortable and good = fine/well. Add "mai" at the end to form a yes/no question — word order stays the same

14. อรุณสวัสดิ์ครับ / ค่ะ

    Àrun sàwàt khráp / khâ

    Good morning

    Usage

    Slightly formal; in casual speech "sawatdi" alone is perfectly fine

    Grammar Note

    "Arun sawat" derives from Sanskrit — literally "morning blessing". In everyday speech "sawatdi" alone is more natural

15. ลาก่อนครับ / ค่ะ

    La kòn khráp / khâ

    Goodbye

    Usage

    Farewell greeting. "Laeo choe kan" ("see you later") is also very common

    Grammar Note

    "La kon" implies "I'll leave first". The casual "laeo choe kan" (see you later) is equally common between friends

16. ห้องน้ำอยู่ที่ไหนครับ / คะ

    Hông nám yù thî nǎi khráp / khá

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    One of the most essential travel phrases. "Hong nam" literally means "water room" — the common Thai word for toilet/bathroom

    Grammar Note

    "Thi nai" (where) is placed at the end of the sentence. Unlike English, Thai question words don't change word order — they simply appear at the end

17. ผม / ฉัน พูดภาษาไทยไม่ได้

    Phǒm / Chǎn phût phasǎ thai mâi dâi

    I can't speak Thai

    Usage

    Use this to signal a language barrier. Follow with "Phasa Angkrit dai mai?" (Can you speak English?) to find a common language

    Grammar Note

    "Mai dai" means "cannot". Swap "phasa thai" with any other language: "phasa angkrit" (English), "phasa yipun" (Japanese), etc.

18. จะมาอีกครับ / จะมาอีกค่ะ

    Jà ma ìk khráp / Jà ma ìk khâ

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

19. สนุกมากครับ / สนุกมากค่ะ

    Sànùk mâk khráp / Sànùk mâk khâ

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting ways

20. ขอบใจนะ แล้วเจอกัน

    Khòp jai ná, láeo joe kan

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

21. ราตรีสวัสดิ์ครับ / ราตรีสวัสดิ์ค่ะ

    Ratri sàwàt khráp / Ratri sàwàt khâ

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to sleep, e.g. to a guesthouse host

22. ออกไปก่อนนะครับ / ออกไปก่อนนะคะ

    Òk pai kòn ná khráp / Òk pai kòn ná khá

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving the guesthouse

23. กลับมาแล้วครับ / กลับมาแล้วค่ะ

    Klàp ma láeo khráp / Klàp ma láeo khâ

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said when returning to the guesthouse

24. ขอตัวก่อนนะครับ / ขอตัวก่อนนะคะ

    Khǒ tua kòn ná khráp / Khǒ tua kòn ná khá

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    Said when leaving before others, e.g. at a meal

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