อยากสั่งอาหารครับ
yaak sang aa-haan khrap
The English phrase "I would like to order" is translated into Thai as อยากสั่งอาหารครับ (yaak sang aa-haan khrap).
This is a polite phrase used to tell a server that you are ready to request food or drinks at a restaurant.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of อยาก (want), สั่ง (to order), อาหาร (food) and ครับ (a polite particle used by male speakers).
Which one should you use?
You can also use ขอสั่ง (khor-sang), which literally translates to "ask for order". Additionally, replacing อยาก (want) with ขอ (may I) to say ขอสั่งอาหารหน่อยครับ makes the phrase sound more like a polite request ("may I order some food please") rather than a statement of desire ("I want to order").
How does it change in a sentence?
Thai speakers use different particles at the end of sentences to indicate gender and politeness. For example, a female would say อยากสั่งอาหารค่ะ.
How do you pronounce it?
yaak sang aa-haan khrap
Did you know?
- In some traditional Thai eateries, you do not order from a server. You may see a 'food-ordering' custom where you simply point to a dish already on another table and tell the cook เอาแบบนี้ ('I want it like this').
- In many casual Thai eateries, you do not actually need to say 'I would like to order' to get attention. You can simply call out พี่ (phee), which means 'older sibling', to a server regardless of their actual age.
- When ordering in a 'made-to-order' shop called ร้านอาหารตามสั่ง, the phrase ตามสั่ง literally means 'according to the order'. This describes a whole category of street food where dishes are customized on the spot.
Examples in context
- ผมขอสั่งผัดไทยครับPom khor-sang pad thai khrap
- ขอสั่งก๋วยเตี๋ยวน้ำใสKhor-sang kuay teow nam sai
- ขอโทษครับ อยากสั่งอาหารครับkho thot khrap, yak sang a-han khrapExcuse me, I would like to order food.
- พนักงานครับ ผมอยากสั่งอาหารครับpha-nak-ngan khrap, phom yak sang a-han khrapWaiter, I would like to order food.
Example conversation
A customer calls a server over at a restaurant.
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอโทษครับ ผมอยากสั่งอาหารครับkho thot khrap phom yak sang a-han khrapExcuse me, I would like to order.
- พิมล Pimonได้ค่ะ รับอะไรดีคะคุณวิทวัสdai kha rap a-rai di kha khun witthawatCertainly. What would you like, Mr. Witthawat?
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอผัดไทยหนึ่งจานครับkho phat thai nueng chan khrapOne plate of Pad Thai, please.
- พิมล Pimonได้ค่ะ รอสักครู่นะคะdai kha ro sak khru na khaGot it. Please wait a moment.
