นั่งลง
nang long
To sit down in Thai is นั่งลง (nang long).
นั่งลง is a phrase used to describe the action of assuming a sitting position from a standing position. It is often used when giving a direct command or an instruction.
Meaning: to assume a sitting position from a standing position (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of นั่ง, meaning 'to sit' and ลง, meaning 'down'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While นั่งลง acts as a direct command, you can use กรุณานั่ง to make a formal request by adding the formal prefix กรุณา. In polite or formal social situations, instead of using the command นั่งลง, it is much more natural to use เชิญนั่ง, which means 'please be seated'. For an informal setting, you can use นั่งเถอะ.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to make the command นั่งลง sound softer and more polite, you can add หน่อย to the end, creating นั่งลงหน่อย. This is similar to saying 'sit down for a moment' or 'please sit down' in English.
How do you pronounce it?
nang long
Did you know?
- In Thai culture, the head is the most sacred part of the body and the feet are the lowest. It is considered extremely rude to point your feet toward another person or a religious object while using นั่งลง to sit.
- Thai has a specific social hierarchy that dictates how you sit. In the presence of a monk or royalty, you would not simply นั่งลง in a chair but might instead sit on the floor in a posture called พับเพียบ with legs tucked to one side.
- In Thailand, many people will not use the word 'sit' if they are inviting a guest into a home, preferring instead to use the word for 'invite' or 'welcome' combined with the action.
Examples in context
- กรุณานั่งลงตรงนี้ครับkaru-na nang-long trong-nee khrapPlease sit down right here.
- เขาสั่งให้ฉันนั่งลงkhao sang hai chan nang-longHe ordered me to sit down.
- คุณนั่งลงบนเก้าอี้ตัวนั้นสิkhun nang-long bon kao-ee tua nan siSit down on that chair.
Example conversation
Chonlasit welcomes Nicha into his office.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitสวัสดีครับคุณณิชา เชิญนั่งลงก่อนครับsawatdee krap khun nicha choen nang long kon krapHello, Ms. Nicha. Please sit down first.
- ณิชา Nichaขอบคุณค่ะ คุณชลสิทธิ์khop khun kha khun chonlasitThank you, Mr. Chonlasit.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitวันนี้คุณสะดวกคุยเรื่องงานไหมครับwan nee khun saduak khui rueang ngan mai krapAre you available to discuss work today?
- ณิชา Nichaสะดวกค่ะ เริ่มได้เลยค่ะsaduak kha roem dai loei khaI am. We can start now.
