สวัสดีครับ
sawatdee khrap
The English phrase 'hello politely' is translated into Thai as สวัสดีครับ (sawatdee khrap).
The phrase is a polite greeting used to say hello to another person.
What does it mean word for word?
The core of the greeting is the word สวัสดี, which means 'hello' or 'good day'.
Which one should you use?
While สวัสดีครับ is used by male speakers, female speakers use the particle ค่ะ instead of ครับ to make the greeting polite, resulting in สวัสดีค่ะ.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern Thailand, people commonly use the word Sawatdi jao to say hello.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ครับ is used at the end of sentences by male speakers to indicate politeness.
How do you pronounce it?
sawatdee khrap
When do people say it?
It is customary to accompany this greeting with a 'wai', a gesture of pressing the palms together near the chest or face and slightly bowing your head.
Did you know?
- In very casual settings among close friends, Thai speakers often skip สวัสดี entirely and instead ask กินข้าวหรือยัง which means 'Have you eaten yet?'
- The term สวัสดี is actually a relatively modern invention, created in the early 20th century to provide a standardized greeting for the nation.
- The word สวัสดี is derived from the Sanskrit word svasti, which means 'well-being' or 'prosperity' rather than just a greeting.
Examples in context
- สวัสดีครับsawatdee krapHello.
- สวัสดีครับคุณครูsawatdee krap khun khruHello, teacher.
- สวัสดีครับทุกคนsawatdee krap thuk khonHello, everyone.
Example conversation
Teerapat meets Kanokwan at a cafe.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatสวัสดีครับคุณกนกวรรณsawatdee krap khun kanokwanHello, Ms. Kanokwan.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanสวัสดีค่ะคุณธีรภัทรsawatdee kha khun teeraphatHello, Mr. Teerapat.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatสบายดีไหมครับsabai dee mai krapHow are you?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanสบายดีค่ะ ขอบคุณค่ะsabai dee kha khop khun khaI am fine, thank you.
