ขอได้ไหม
kho dai mai
In Thai, "can I have" is expressed as ขอได้ไหม (kho dai mai).
ขอได้ไหม is a polite way to ask for permission to have or use something, and it is also used when ordering items in a shop or restaurant.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ขอ (to ask for/request), dai (can/to be able to) and ไหม (a particle used to form a yes/no question).
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask for a specific object, you place the object between ขอ and ได้ไหม, for example, ขอ…ได้ไหม.
How do you pronounce it?
kho dai mai
Did you know?
- The concept of 'asking for' in Thai is closely tied to the concept of 'merit'. Some phrases using ขอ are used in prayers to ask for blessings or spiritual favors from monks or deities.
- In Thailand, the physical gesture of the 'wai' (pressing palms together) often accompanies the phrase ขอได้ไหม when asking a superior for a favor. This transforms the request from a simple question into a sign of deep respect.
- The word ขอ is also used to start a formal request for an apology, such as ขอโทษ, which literally translates to 'asking for forgiveness'.
Example conversation
The two people are sitting together at a cafe.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatณิชา ขอทิชชู่หน่อย ขอได้ไหมNicha kho tis-syu noi kho dai maiNicha, can I have some tissues, please?
- ณิชา Nichaได้ค่ะ อยู่ตรงนี้ไงdai kha yu trong ni ngaiYes, you can. They are right here.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatขอบคุณมากนะkhop khun mak naThank you very much.
- ณิชา Nichaไม่เป็นไรค่ะ ธีรภัทรmai pen rai kha TeerapatYou're welcome, Teerapat.
