ขอบคุณ
kɔ̀ɔp-kun/kʰɔːp̚˨˩.kʰun˧/
ขอบคุณ (kɔ̀ɔp-kun) is the Thai way to say thanks.
The phrase is used to express appreciation or gratitude.
Meaning: used to express appreciation or gratitude (intj)
Which one should you use?
While ขอบคุณ is the standard term, ขอบใจ is used instead when speaking to people of lower status, such as children or close friends of the same age.
How does it change in a sentence?
To be polite, male speakers should add the particle ครับ to the end of ขอบคุณ to form ขอบคุณครับ. Female speakers should add the particle ค่ะ to the end of ขอบคุณ to form ขอบคุณค่ะ.
How do you pronounce it?
kɔ̀ɔp-kun
Did you know?
- When using ขอบคุณ, it is customary to perform a 'wai' (pressing your palms together in a prayer-like gesture) to show deep respect.
- The word for 'thanks' contains the word for 'virtue' or 'kindness' within it, making the phrase literally mean 'to acknowledge your kindness'.
- The word คุณ in ขอบคุณ is also the standard polite pronoun for 'you' in Thai.
Examples in context
- ขอบคุณThanks!This example shows the use of ขอบคุณ for a simple thanks.Tatoeba #499081 by ojiisan, translation #448645 by CK
- ขอบคุณมากMany thanks.This example shows how to use ขอบคุณ to say many thanks.Tatoeba #8675965 by pastelite, translation #322178 by CK
- ขอบคุณที่ถามผมThanks for asking me.This example shows how to use ขอบคุณ to say thanks for a specific action.Tatoeba #10266470 by Somsak, translation #3722669 by CM
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nicha gives Chonsit a book.
- ณิชา Nichaนี่ค่ะ หนังสือที่คุณอยากอ่านni kha nang-sue thi khun yak anHere is the book you wanted to read.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitขอบคุณครับ ณิชาkhop khun krap NichaThanks, Nicha.
- ณิชา Nichaไม่เป็นไรค่ะmai pen rai khaYou're welcome.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitผมจะรีบอ่านให้จบครับphom ja rip an hai jop krapI will finish reading it soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 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.
