ตกลง
dtòk-long/tok̚˨˩.loŋ˧/
The Thai way to say alright is ตกลง (dtòk-long).
ตกลง is used to agree with a suggestion or to accept a proposal. It can be used as a standalone response to confirm that you understand or accept something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase dtòk-long is a compound word that literally means to fall down, but it is used idiomatically to mean to agree.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say to reach an agreement (with each other), you can add the particle kan to the end of the phrase to form ตกลงกัน.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /tok̚˨˩.loŋ˧/ (dtòk-long).
Did you know?
- In Thai, the word ตก (to fall) is used in many different idioms that have nothing to do with gravity, such as 'to fall in love'.
- If a Thai speaker says ตกลง with a hesitant or falling tone, it can actually signal reluctance rather than a genuine 'alright'.
- The phrase ตกลง is based on the idea of 'falling down into the same consensus', blending the concepts of physical descent and mental agreement.
Examples in context
- โอเค (o-kay)Alright.
- ตกลง ฉันจะไปกับคุณtok-long chan ja pai gap khunAlright, I will go with you.
- ถ้าอย่างนั้นก็ตกลงตามนี้tha yang nan go tok-long tam neeIf that's the case, then alright, let's settle on this.
- ตกลง เราเจอกันพรุ่งนี้tok-long rao joe gan phrung neeAlright, we will meet tomorrow.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding where to eat lunch.
- ณิชา Nichaไปกินอาหารญี่ปุ่นกันไหม?pai gin aa-haan yee-pun gan mai?Shall we go eat Japanese food?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritตกลงครับ ผมอยากกินพอดีtok-long krap phom yak gin phor deeAlright, I was actually craving it.
- ณิชา Nichaงั้นเดี๋ยวฉันจองโต๊ะนะngan diao chan jong toh naThen I will book a table.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritได้เลยครับdai loey krapSure thing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ตกลง, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ตกลง, CC BY-SA 4.0.
