สวัสดีครับ
Sawasdee khrub
The phrase สวัสดีครับ (Sawasdee khrub) is how you say hello to a man in Thai.
This phrase is used for both 'hello' and 'goodbye' in a polite context.
Which one should you use?
While a man uses ครับ (khrub) to be polite, a woman uses ค่ะ (kha) at the end of the greeting. Therefore, a female speaker would say สวัสดีค่ะ (Sawasdee kha).
How do you pronounce it?
Sawasdee khrub
Did you know?
- The word สวัสดี (sawasdee) was not used as a greeting until the 1930s when it was coined by a professor of linguistics to replace older expressions.
- In many parts of Thailand, a verbal greeting like สวัสดีครับ is often accompanied by the 'Wai', a gesture where you press your palms together near your chest and slightly bow your head.
- The root of สวัสดี (sawasdee) comes from the Sanskrit word svasti, which means 'well-being' or 'blessing' rather than just 'hello'.
Examples in context
- สวัสดีครับคุณครูsawatdi khrap khun khruHello, teacher.
- สวัสดีครับคุณพ่อsawatdi khrap khun phoHello, father.
- สวัสดีครับคุณพนักงานsawatdi khrap khun phanaknganHello, staff member.
Example conversation
A man greets a woman he knows at a coffee shop.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitสวัสดีครับคุณณิชาsawatdi khrap khun nichaHello, Nicha.
- ณิชา Nichaสวัสดีค่ะคุณชลสิทธิ์sawatdi kha khun chonlasitHello, Chonlasit.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitวันนี้สบายดีไหมครับwan ni sabai di mai khrapHow are you today?
- ณิชา Nichaสบายดีค่ะ ขอบคุณนะคะsabai di kha khop khun na khaI'm fine, thank you.
