Helpful Thai Phrases

Here are some helpful phrases that you might want to learn. Most everyone we meet will speak English. However, it is culturally respectful to learn some Thai…at least to say hello and thank you!

So, let's give it go, shall we? Something to keep in mind when speaking Thai. Unlike with Romance languages where the gender of the recipient is considered, in Thai the self-identified gender of the speaker is what is most important. As a result, if you self-identify as male, add the particle krop at the end of each sentence. If you self-identify as female, add the particle ka at the end of each sentence.

Adding krop or ka makes what you're saying more polite.

If you are gender non-binary, choose the ending that best fits you.

YouTube Channels

Introduction to Thai

Top Thai Phrases

Self-identified Male Speakers

For ease of learning Thai, I have transcribed the sounds of the Thai words into the Latin alphabet.

Greetings / Conversation

  • Thank you Kop koon krop

  • I am well, thanks Sabai dee, kop koon krop

  • It's okay / You're welcome Mai pen rai krop

  • My name is... Pome choo.....krop

  • Nice to meet you Yin dee tee die rujak krop

  • Excuse me / I'm sorry Kaw toad krop

  • Goodbye La gone krop

  • I'm leaving Buy la na

  • Where are you from? Kun majak pratet nai krop?

  • I am American Pome ben cone American

  • I am Canadian Pome ben cone Canadian

  • I am a foreigner Pome ben cone farang

  • May I have (noun)? Kaw (noun) die mai krop?

Food

  • I'm hungry Pome hugh krop

  • I like Pome chop

  • I like spice Pome chop pet krop

  • I don't like spice Mai pet krop

  • I want that Ow anee krop

  • I want cold water Ow nom yen krop

  • I'm full! Eem layow krop

  • I am vegetarian Pome mansaweerot krop

  • I want vegetables Ow pok krop

  • Delicious Arroy krop

  • Very delicious! Arroy mah

Other

  • Yes / no Chai krop / mai krop

  • A little bit Nit noy krop

  • I speak a little Thai Pome poot pasa Thai dai nit noy krop

  • I speak English Pome poot pasa Angrit krop

  • Do you speak English? Poot pasa Angrit die mai krop?

  • How much is this? Tao rai krop?

  • That's a little expensive! Pang buy noy krop!

  • Bathroom Hong nom

  • Where is the bathroom? Hong nom you tee nai krop?

Self-identified Female Speakers

Greetings / Conversation

  • Hello / Goodbye Sawat dee ka

  • How are you? Sabai dee mai?

  • I am well Sabai dee

  • Thank you Kop koon ka

  • I am well, thanks Sabai dee, kop koon ka

  • It's okay / You're welcome Mai pen rai ka

  • My name is... Dijon choo.....ka

  • Nice to meet you Yin dee tee die rujak ka

  • Excuse me / I'm sorry Kaw toad ka

  • Goodbye La gone ka

  • I'm leaving Buy la na

  • Where are you from? Kun majak pratet nai ka?

  • I am American Dijon ben cone American

  • I am a foreigner Dijon ben cone farang

  • May I have (noun)? Kaw (noun) die mai ka?

Food

  • I'm hungry Dijon hugh ka

  • I like Dijon chop k

  • I like spice Dijon chop pet ka

  • I don't like spice Mai pet ka

  • I want that Ow anee ka

  • I want cold water Ow nom yen ka

  • I'm full! Eem layow ka

  • I am vegetarian Dijon mansaweerot ka

  • I want vegetables Ow pok ka

  • Delicious Arroy ka

  • Very delicious! Arroy mah

Other

  • Yes / no Chai ka / mai ka

  • A little bit Nit noy ka

  • I speak a little Thai Dijon poot pasa Thai dai nit noy ka

  • I speak English Dijon poot pasa Angrit ka

  • Do you speak English? Poot pasa Angrit die mai ka?

  • How much is this? Tao rai ka?

  • That's a little expensive! Pang buy noy ka!

  • Bathroom Hong nom

  • Where is the bathroom? Hong nom you tee nai ka?