กินข้าว
gin-kâao/kin˧.kʰaːw˥˩/
The English phrase "eat food" is translated into Thai as กินข้าว (gin-kâao).
The phrase is used to mean having a meal, regardless of the specific type of food being consumed. While the word กิน (gin) on its own means "to eat", it is almost always paired with ข้าว (kâao) when referring to the general act of having a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, กินข้าว translates to "eat rice".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ทานข้าว (taan-kâao) is a more polite version used when speaking to elders or in formal settings.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is gin-kâao.
When do people say it?
Asking กินข้าวหรือยัง (gin-kâao rǔue-yang), which means "Have you eaten yet?", is a common way to greet someone or show care, performing a similar social function to "How are you?" in English. Additionally, if you are eating, someone might casually ask Aroi mai? to ask "Is it delicious?"
Did you know?
- While กินข้าว (gin-kâao) means 'eat food', the word กิน (gin) is also used as a slang term for 'spending' money or 'consuming' time.
- The phrase shares a linguistic DNA with many of its neighbors, such as the Lao 'kin khao' or the Chinese 'chīfàn'. This reflects a shared regional history where rice was the absolute foundation of life.
- The word ข้าว (kâao) can refer to both the paddy field and the grain itself, reflecting how central rice is to the Thai landscape and diet.
Examples in context
- กินข้าวหรือยังkin khao rue yangHave you eaten yet?
- ฉันอยากกินข้าวกับเพื่อนchan yak kin khao kap phueanI want to eat a meal with friends.
- เราไปกินข้าวกันเถอะrao pai kin khao kan thoeLet's go eat.
Example conversation
Two colleagues talking at the office during lunch time.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinธีรภัทร กินข้าวหรือยังคะTheeraphat gin khao reu yang kaTheeraphat, have you eaten yet?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatยังครับ สิรินทร์อยากไปกินข้าวไหมyang krap, Sirin yak pai gin khao maiNot yet. Sirin, do you want to go eat?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinอยากค่ะ ไปกันเลยyak ka, pai gan loeiYes, I do. Let's go.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatโอเคครับ ไปกันเลยokay krap, pai gan loeiOkay, let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry กินข้าว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries กินข้าว, CC BY-SA 4.0.
