What does it mean word for word?
The word ทาน means "to eat" and is a polite form of the verb.
Which one should you use?
While ทานที่นี่ is a standard polite way to express this, other forms exist depending on the level of formality and the specific intent of the speaker.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several levels of formality for this phrase. For a highly formal version used in professional or very polite contexts, you can use รับประทานที่นี่ or the more directive กรุณารับประทานที่นี่. In casual settings or when speaking with friends, the informal version กินที่นี่ is used. The phrase กินตรงนี้เถอะ can be translated as "eat here" or "let's eat here", and มากินที่นี่เถอะ means "come eat here".
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are male, you can make any phrase more polite by attaching ครับ to the end.
How do you pronounce it?
than thi ni
Did you know?
- The word กิน for 'eat' is so versatile that it is used for animals, medicines and even 'eating' a loss in business.
- In many local Thai eateries, the distinction between 'eating here' and 'taking away' is often decided by the term ใส่ถุง (put in a bag). Instead of saying 'take away', people often specifically ask to have their food 'put in a bag'.
- The formal verb รับประทาน used in high-level versions of this phrase actually contains a word related to 'receive'. It carries a nuanced sense of 'receiving' sustenance rather than just the physical act of eating.
Examples in context
- คุณจะทานที่นี่ไหมครับkhun cha than thi ni mai khrapWill you eat here?
- สั่งอาหารมาทานที่นี่เลยค่ะsang a-han ma than thi ni loei khaOrder the food to eat here.
- เราอยากทานที่นี่ค่ะrao yak than thi ni khaWe want to eat here.
Example conversation
At a restaurant, a waiter asks a customer about their preference.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritทานที่นี่หรือรับกลับบ้านดีครับthan thi ni rue rap klap ban di khrapWill you eat here or take it to go?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanทานที่นี่ค่ะthan thi ni khaI will eat here.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritได้เลยครับ เชิญนั่งครับdai loei khrap choen nang khrapCertainly, please have a seat.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณค่ะkhop khun khaThank you.
