ขอบคุณ
kɔ̀ɔp-kun/kʰɔːp̚˨˩.kʰun˧/
In Thai, thank you is expressed as ขอบคุณ (kɔ̀ɔp-kun).
ขอบคุณ is an expression of gratitude used to thank someone.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ขอบคุณ is a semi-formal phrase. For a more formal or polite tone, speakers add particles based on their own gender: females use ขอบคุณค่ะ (Kob khun ka) and males use ขอบคุณครับ (Kob khun krub). To say thank you very much, you can use ขอบคุณมากค่ะ/ครับ (Kob khun mak ka/krub). For an informal version used with friends or people younger than you, use ขอบใจ (Khop chai).
How does it change in a sentence?
To sound polite, male speakers should add the polite particle ครับ (krub) to the end of ขอบคุณ, resulting in ขอบคุณครับ.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is kɔ̀ɔp-kun (IPA: /kʰɔːp̚˨˩.kʰun˧/).
When do people say it?
When saying ขอบคุณ in a formal or respectful setting, it is customary to perform a 'wai', which is the gesture of pressing your palms together at chest level.
Did you know?
- If you are thanking a monk, you would not use the standard ขอบคุณ but instead use a specific religious term of gratitude.
- In very close friendships or family circles, Thais may forgo saying ขอบคุณ entirely, as over-using it can create a feeling of emotional distance.
- The word ขอบคุณ literally translates to 'acknowledging your kindness' because it combines the verb 'to acknowledge' with the noun for 'virtue' or 'goodness'.
Examples in context
- ขอบคุณThank you.This example shows the phrase ขอบคุณ used alone.Tatoeba #499081 by ojiisan, translation #1876041 by Asma
- ขอบคุณที่เข้าใจThank you for understanding.This example uses ขอบคุณ to thank someone for understanding.Tatoeba #8692214 by pastelite, translation #2643710 by CK
- ฉันอยากพูดว่าขอบคุณI want to thank you.This example uses ขอบคุณ to express a desire to thank someone.Tatoeba #11756038 by superteenkai, translation #2011497 by CK
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man gives a gift to a woman at a cafe.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanขอบคุณมากนะคะkhop khun mak na khaThank you very much.
- วิทวัส Witthawatไม่เป็นไรครับmai pen rai khrapYou're welcome.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanของขวัญสวยมากค่ะkhong khwan suai mak khaThe gift is very beautiful.
- วิทวัส Witthawatดีใจที่คุณชอบครับdi chai thi khun chop khrapI'm glad you like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries ขอบคุณ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ขอบคุณ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
