หวัดดีคนสวย
wat-di khon suai
The English phrase "hi beautiful" is translated into Thai as หวัดดีคนสวย (wat-di khon suai).
This phrase is an informal greeting used to address a woman in a complimentary or flirtatious way. Because the term for beauty used here is typically applied to feminine beauty, using this phrase for a man would be nonsensical or might be used as a joke.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of wat-di, which is a shortened and informal version of the standard greeting sawasdee (hello) and khon suai, which means "person beautiful".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
หวัดดีคนสวย is an informal expression. The greeting component wat-di is a colloquial contraction of the formal greeting sawasdee, so this phrase should only be used in casual or flirtatious settings.
How do you pronounce it?
wat-di khon suai
Did you know?
- In Thailand, the word สวย can be used sarcastically to describe something that is 'beautifully' ruined or a situation that has gone impressively wrong.
- While 'suai' means beautiful, in certain contexts or tones, it can be used as a teasing way to call a friend 'pretty' when they are actually acting vain or stuck-up.
- Adding the particle นะ to the end of หวัดดีคนสวย softens the tone, making it sound more like a gentle tease than a direct compliment.
Examples in context
- หวัดดีคนสวย แต่งตัวสวยจังwat di khon suay taeng tua suay jangHi beautiful, you look so well dressed.
Example conversation
A man greets a woman he is flirting with at a cafe.
- วิทวัส Witthawatหวัดดีคนสวยwat di khon suayHi beautiful.
- พิมล Pimonหวัดดีค่ะ วิทวัสwat di kha wit-tha-watHi, Witthawat.
- วิทวัส Witthawatวันนี้ดูดีมากเลยนะwan ni du di mak loei naYou look great today.
- พิมล Pimonขอบคุณค่ะ ชมกันแบบนี้เขินเลยkhop khun kha chom kan baep ni khoen loeiThank you, you're making me blush.
