How To Say Yes In Thai Language

There are four main ways to say yes in Thai: 1. Chai (ใ […]

There are four main ways to say yes in Thai:

1. Chai (ใช่)

This is the most direct translation of the word “yes” in Thai. It is pronounced as “chai” with a rising tone. Chai is used to answer yes to simple yes/no questions. For example, if someone asks you “Do you speak Thai?” (คุณพูดภาษาไทยได้ไหม), you would answer “Yes” (ใช่).

2. Polite words (ครับ/ค่ะ)

The polite words “khrap” (ครับ) and “kha” (ค่ะ) are used to show respect to the person you are speaking to. They can be used on their own to answer yes to a question, or they can be added to the end of chai to make it more polite. For example, if your boss asks you “Can you finish this report by the end of the day?” (คุณทำรายงานนี้ให้เสร็จก่อนสิ้นสุดวันนี้ได้ไหม), you would answer “Yes, sir/ma’am” (ครับ/ค่ะ).

3. Repetition

Another way to say yes in Thai is to simply repeat the verb in the question. For example, if someone asks you “Will you go to the movies with me tonight?” (คุณจะไปดูหนังกับฉันไหมคืนนี้), you would answer “Yes, I will go to the movies with you tonight” (ไปค่ะ/ครับ).

4. Sure, of course (ได้ค่ะ/ครับ)

The phrases “ได้ค่ะ/ครับ” (pronounced “dai kha/khrap”) can be used to express a strong and enthusiastic yes. They are often used to offer to do something for someone, or to agree to a request. For example, if someone asks you “Can you help me with this project?” (คุณช่วยฉันทำโปรเจ็กต์นี้หน่อยได้ไหม), you would answer “Sure, of course” (ได้ค่ะ/ครับ).

Here are some examples of how to use the different ways to say yes in Thai in a conversation:

• Chai:
  • A: Do you have a pen? (คุณมีปากกาไหม)
  • B: Yes, I do. (ใช่ค่ะ/ครับ)
• Polite words:
  • A: Can you help me with this bag? (ช่วยฉันถือกระเป๋าหน่อยได้ไหม)
  • B: Yes, sir/ma’am. (ครับ/ค่ะ)
• Repetition:
  • A: Will you come to my party on Saturday? (คุณจะมาปาร์ตี้ฉันในวันเสาร์ไหม)
  • B: Yes, I will come to your party on Saturday. (มาค่ะ/ครับ)
• Sure, of course:
  • A: Can you pick me up from the airport tonight? (คุณมารับฉันที่สนามบินคืนนี้ได้ไหม)
  • B: Sure, of course. (ได้ค่ะ/ครับ)

No matter which way you choose to say yes in Thai, be sure to smile and make eye contact to show that you are sincere and respectful.