สบายดีไหม
/sa˨˩.baːj˧.diː˧.maj˩˩˦/
The English phrase "how are you?" is translated into Thai as สบายดีไหม.
The phrase translates to "how are you?", but in Thai culture, it is often used as a greeting for someone you have not seen in a while rather than a constant inquiry into one's health.
How do you pronounce it?
/sa˨˩.baːj˧.diː˧.maj˩˩˦/. The word has 4 syllables.
When do people say it?
A common response to this question is สบายดี, meaning "I am well".
Did you know?
- In many Thai social circles, friends often skip สบายดีไหม entirely and instead ask กินข้าวหรือยัง, which means 'Have you eaten yet?'
- When answering สบายดีไหม, a Thai person might respond with เรื่อยๆ (rueay rueay), which literally means 'continuously' or 'along'. It implies that life is just flowing along without any major changes.
- In very formal or royal Thai, the phrase สบายดีไหม is replaced by entirely different vocabulary to reflect the social hierarchy of the person being addressed.
Examples in context
- สบายดีไหมคะhow are you? (female speaker, polite)This example shows how a female speaker can use the polite version of สบายดีไหม.
- สบายดีไหมครับhow are you? (male speaker, polite)This example shows how a male speaker can use the polite version of สบายดีไหม.
- สบายดีไหมsa-baai dii maiHow are you?
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- ณิชา Nichaสวัสดีค่ะ สบายดีไหมsawasdee ka sabai dee maiHello, how are you?
- ธนกฤต Thanakritสบายดีครับ แล้วคุณล่ะsabai dee krab laew kun laI'm fine, and you?
- ณิชา Nichaสบายดีค่ะ ขอบคุณนะคะsabai dee ka khob khun na kaI'm fine, thank you.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritยินดีครับyin dee krabYou're welcome.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry สบายดีไหม, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
