เข้าใจไหม
khao chai mai
To say "do you understand?" in Thai, you use เข้าใจไหม (khao chai mai).
This phrase is used to ask if someone has comprehended the information provided.
Which one should you use?
The phrase เข้าใจไหม is a version that omits the formal address. For a more explicit way to ensure complete comprehension, you can use คุณเข้าใจหรือไม่.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
เข้าใจไหม is an informal version. You can use an even more informal version, เข้าใจมั้ย, among friends and peers.
How do you pronounce it?
khao chai mai
When do people say it?
If someone asks you this question, you can respond with เข้าใจ to say "I understand" or ไม่เข้าใจ to say "I don't understand".
Did you know?
- The word เข้าใจ is composed of two parts: เข้า meaning 'to enter' and ใจ meaning 'heart/mind'. Literally, to understand is to 'enter the heart'.
- In Thai culture, if a teacher asks เข้าใจไหม, a student might nod or say they understand even if they are confused, simply to save 'face' for both parties.
- While English speakers often use 'do you understand?' to check comprehension, in Thai, asking it too frequently can imply that the listener is slow or lacks intelligence.
Examples in context
- เราต้องทำงานร่วมกัน คุณเข้าใจไหม?We need to work together. Do you understand?
- โปรดอ่านคู่มือการใช้งาน คุณเข้าใจมั้ย?Please read the user manual. Do you understand?
- วิธีใช้งานเข้าใจไหมDo you understand how to use it?
- คุณเข้าใจไหมkhun khao chai maiDo you understand?
- ที่ฉันพูดไป เข้าใจไหมthi chan phut pai khao chai maiDo you understand what I said?
- เรื่องนี้เข้าใจไหมrueang ni khao chai maiDo you understand this matter?
Example conversation
A teacher is explaining a difficult lesson to a student.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanบทเรียนนี้เข้าใจไหมbot rian ni khao chai maiDo you understand this lesson?
- วิทวัส Witthawatเข้าใจครับkhao chai khrapI understand.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanถ้าไม่เข้าใจให้ถามนะtha mai khao chai hai tham naIf you don't understand, please ask.
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอบคุณครับkhop khun khrapThank you.
