กินข้าว
gin-kâao/kin˧.kʰaːw˥˩/
To eat rice in Thai is กินข้าว (gin-kâao).
While it literally means to consume rice, the phrase is used more broadly to mean having a meal, regardless of whether rice is actually being served. It is also frequently used as a common greeting or a way to show care, similar to how one might ask "How are you?" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb กิน (eat) and the noun ข้าว (rice).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For highly formal or official settings and highly respectful speech, use the formal version รับประทานข้าว.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the action of eating has already been completed, you can add แล้ว (láew) after the phrase, as in กินข้าวแล้ว.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is gin-kâao.
Did you know?
- The word กิน (eat) is used in many idiomatic expressions that have nothing to do with food, such as กินแรง which means to take advantage of someone's hard work.
- The word ข้าว (rice) refers to both the uncooked grain and the cooked meal. This linguistic duality mirrors the cultural centrality of rice in Thailand, where the crop is seen as the essence of life itself.
- The Thai phrase กินข้าว is part of a widespread linguistic pattern across Southeast Asia, sharing a similar logic with the Vietnamese ăn cơm and Khmer houp baay.
Examples in context
- ไปกินข้าวกันไหมpai kin khao kan maiShall we go eat?
- ฉันยังไม่ได้กินข้าวเลยchan yang mai dai kin khao loeiI haven't eaten yet.
- คุณกินข้าวหรือยังkhun kin khao rue yangHave you eaten yet?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking during their lunch break.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanวิทวัส กินข้าวหรือยังคะWitthawat gin khao rue yang khaWitthawat, have you eaten yet?
- วิทวัส Witthawatยังครับ กนกวรรณอยากไปกินข้าวไหมyang khrap Kanokwan yak pai gin khao maiNot yet. Kanokwan, do you want to go eat?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanอยากค่ะ ไปกันเลยyak kha pai gan loeiYes, I do. Let's go now.
- วิทวัส Witthawatตกลงครับ ไปกันเลยtok-long khrap pai gan loeiAlright, 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.
