ฉันเห็นด้วย
chan hen duai
The English phrase 'I agree' is expressed in Thai as ฉันเห็นด้วย (chan hen duai).
The phrase is used to express that you share the same opinion as someone else. In casual conversation, Thai speakers often drop the pronoun entirely and simply say เห็นด้วย to mean 'I agree'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of เห็น (to see) and ด้วย (with/also), literally meaning 'to see with' or 'to see along with' an idea.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The choice of the pronoun 'I' changes based on the speaker's gender and the level of formality. While the default form uses ฉัน, male speakers in formal or polite settings should use ผม instead. Female speakers in formal settings often use ดิฉัน instead of the more casual ฉัน. Additionally, in informal settings, you might use ได้ to mean 'okay' or 'alright' to express agreement.
How do you pronounce it?
chan hen duai
Did you know?
- Thai culture often emphasizes harmony, so speakers may avoid saying ไม่เห็นด้วย ('I disagree') directly. They might instead say มันก็น่าคิดนะ ('that is worth thinking about') to politely signal a lack of agreement.
- In very casual settings, Thai friends might agree with each other by saying จัดไป, which literally means 'arrange it' or 'send it'. This functions like saying 'let's do it' or 'I'm in' when agreeing to a plan.
- In highly formal or royal contexts, the vocabulary for 'seeing' and 'agreeing' changes completely. Speakers use specific royal terms called ราชาศัพท์ to ensure the level of respect is appropriate for the listener.
Examples in context
- ฉันเห็นด้วยI agree.This sentence is useful for stating 'I agree' using ฉันเห็นด้วย.Tatoeba #7784338 by pastelite, translation #436281 by lukaszpp
- ฉันเห็นด้วยกับทอมร้อยเปอร์เซ็นต์I agree with Tom a hundred percent.This sentence shows how to use ฉันเห็นด้วย to express complete agreement with a person.Tatoeba #10736560 by Somsak, translation #5452155 by CK
- ฉันเห็นด้วยกับคุณว่าเราควรลองอีกครั้งI agree with you that we should try again.This sentence demonstrates how to use ฉันเห็นด้วย to agree with someone's suggestion.Tatoeba #8675829 by pastelite, translation #321994 by CK
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new office policy.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitเราควรพักผ่อนให้มากขึ้นนะrao khuan phak phon hai mak khuen naWe should rest more.
- พิมล Pimonฉันเห็นด้วยค่ะchan hen duai khaI agree.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitคุณพิมลดูเหนื่อยมากเลยkhun phimon du nueai mak loeiPimon, you look very tired.
- พิมล Pimonใช่ค่ะ งานช่วงนี้หนักมากchai kha ngan chuang ni nak makYes, the work has been very heavy lately.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
