สวัสดีค่ะ
sawatdee kha
The English phrase "hello to a female" is translated into Thai as สวัสดีค่ะ (sawatdee kha).
สวัสดีค่ะ is a polite greeting used by a female speaker. สวัสดีครับพี่ can be used to greet a woman who is older or holds a higher social status or สวัสดีครับน้อง can be used when greeting a younger female or someone of lower status.
How do you pronounce it?
sawatdee kha
Did you know?
- In very casual settings, Thai speakers often skip สวัสดีค่ะ entirely and instead ask กินข้าวหรือยัง meaning 'Have you eaten rice yet?' This functions as a social greeting rather than a literal inquiry about hunger.
- The word สวัสดี was not used as a greeting in Thailand until the 1930s, when it was officially introduced by the Royal Society to standardize the language.
- The word สวัสดี is derived from the Sanskrit word 'svasti', which means 'well-being' or 'luck'. Instead of just saying 'hello', you are essentially wishing the other person safety and prosperity.
Examples in context
- สวัสดีค่ะ คุณครูsawasdee kha khun khruuHello, teacher.
Example conversation
A man meets a woman at a cafe.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitสวัสดีครับsawasdee khrapHello.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanสวัสดีค่ะsawasdee khaHello.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitสบายดีไหมครับ?sabai dee mai khrap?How are you?
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanสบายดีค่ะsabai dee khaI am fine.
