ทักทาย
ták-taai/tʰak̚˦˥.tʰaːj˧/
To say hello in Thai is ทักทาย (ták-taai).
ทักทาย is the verb used to describe the act of greeting someone or initiating a conversation. It refers to the concept of greeting itself rather than the specific words you use to say hello.
How do you pronounce it?
ták-taai
When do people say it?
While ทักทาย is the verb for 'to greet', the actual word used to say 'hello' or 'goodbye' in Thai is สวัสดี (sà-wàt-dii). For example, Sawatdee is the most common way to say hello. If you want to ask how someone is, you can use Sà-baai-dii Mái combined with the polite particles Kráp or Kâ to mean 'How are you?' Additionally, Sawatdee Pee Mai is used to say 'Happy New Year'.
Did you know?
- In many social settings, instead of using the formal verb ทักทาย, people may greet each other by asking 'Have you eaten yet?' (Kin kâo rĕu yang?). This functions as a warm, culturally-specific way to say hello and show care.
- While สวัสดี is the standard greeting today, it was only officially coined in the 1930s by a professor at Chulalongkorn University to modernize the Thai language.
- The word สวัสดี is derived from the Sanskrit word svasti, which carries the meaning of 'well-being' or 'blessing' rather than just a greeting.
Examples in context
- เขามาเพื่อทักทายฉันkhao ma phuea thak-thai chanHe came to say hello to me.
- อย่าลืมทักทายลูกค้าด้วยนะya luem thak-thai luk-kha duai naDon't forget to say hello to the customers.
- เด็กๆ มักจะทักทายด้วยรอยยิ้มdek-dek mak cha thak-thai duai roy-yimChildren often say hello with a smile.
Example conversation
Vitwat and Nicha are preparing for a social event.
- วิทวัส Witthawatคุณต้องทักทายแขกทุกคนอย่างสุภาพนะkhun tong thak-thai khaek thuk khon yang su-phap naYou must say hello to all the guests politely.
- ณิชา Nichaฉันจะพยายามทำแบบนั้นค่ะchan cha pha-ya-yam tham baep nan khaI will try to do that.
- วิทวัส Witthawatดีมากครับ ถ้ามีคนใหม่มาก็ทักทายเขาด้วยdi mak khrap, tha mi khon mai ma ko thak-thai khao duaiVery good, if someone new arrives, say hello to them too.
- ณิชา Nichaรับทราบค่ะ วิทวัสrap sap kha, VitwatUnderstood, Vitwat.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ทักทาย, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
