สบายดีไหม
sabai di mai/sa˨˩.baːj˧.diː˧.maj˩˩˦/
In Thai, "are you okay?" is translated as สบายดีไหม (sabai di mai).
The phrase สบายดีไหม is used as a standard greeting to check on someone's general well-being, much like asking "How are you?" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into sabai (comfortable/well), di (good) and mai (a question particle).
Which one should you use?
While สบายดีไหม is a general greeting used to ask how someone is, the phrase เป็นอะไรหรือเปล่า is used specifically when you notice something is wrong and want to ask "Are you okay?" or "Is something the matter?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To increase politeness, you can add the particle khrap (if you are male) or kha (if you are female) to the end of the phrase to form สบายดีไหมครับ/ค่ะ.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is sabai di mai.
When do people say it?
When someone asks you สบายดีไหม, a standard positive response is สบายดี, which means "I am well".
Did you know?
- While สบายดีไหม is the textbook greeting, Thai people often ask กินข้าวหรือยัง meaning 'Have you eaten yet?' to check on someone's well-being instead.
- The word sabai is so central to the Thai concept of well-being that it is used in the term sabai sabai, describing a laid-back lifestyle or a relaxed atmosphere.
- When responding to สบายดีไหม, many Thai speakers will add a 'smile' to the phrase, as facial expressions are often considered part of the verbal response to indicate one's state of 'sabai'.
Examples in context
- คุณสบายดีไหมครับ/ค่ะAre you okay, sir/ma'am?
Example conversation
Two acquaintances meet at a coffee shop.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanสวัสดีค่ะคุณชลสิทธิ์ สบายดีไหมคะsawatdee ka khun cholasit sabai dee mai kaHello, Cholasit. Are you doing well?
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitสบายดีครับ แล้วคุณล่ะครับsabai dee krap laeo khun la krapI'm doing well. And how about you?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanสบายดีค่ะ ขอบคุณค่ะsabai dee ka khob khun kaI'm doing well, thank you.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitยินดีที่ได้พบกันนะครับyindee thee dai pob kan na krapIt's nice to see you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry สบายดีไหม, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
