What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ได้เวลากินข้าว literally translates to 'the time to eat rice has arrived', where ได้เวลา means 'has arrived the time', กิน means 'eat' and ข้าว means 'rice'.
Which one should you use?
While ได้เวลากินข้าว is the standard form, you may see other variations. If you want to emphasize that it is time to eat right now, you can use ถึงเวลากินข้าวแล้ว. To be more direct or informal, such as telling friends to 'come eat', you can say มากิน.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a standard, polite way to say 'time to eat', use เวลาทานอาหาร. Conversely, มากิน is an informal way to say 'come eat' and is best used among friends and peers.
How do you pronounce it?
dai wela kin khao
When do people say it?
In Thai culture, the verb for 'to eat' is often paired with the word for 'rice' (ข้าว) to mean 'to eat a meal' in general. Additionally, the phrase มาทานอาหารด้วยกัน can be used to convey the idea of coming together to eat and serves as an invitation for others to join a meal.
Did you know?
- In Thailand, asking กินข้าวหรือยัง ('Have you eaten rice yet?') is often used as a general greeting similar to 'How are you?' rather than a literal question about hunger.
- In many Thai households, instead of saying 'it is time to eat', people might simply call out the word ข้าว to signal the meal is ready.
- Thai people may use the phrase กินข้าว to describe a break or a rest period during work, even if they are not actually consuming food at that moment.
Examples in context
- ได้เวลากินข้าวเที่ยงแล้วครับdai we-laa gin khao thiang laew krapIt is time for lunch.
- เด็กๆ ได้เวลากินข้าวแล้วdek dek dai we-laa gin khao laewChildren, it is time to eat.
Example conversation
A husband tells his wife that it is time for lunch.
- วิทวัส Witthawatสิรินทร์ ได้เวลากินข้าวแล้วSirin dai we-laa gin khao laewSirin, it is time to eat.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinอาหารเสร็จหรือยังคะaa-haan set rue yang kaIs the food ready?
- วิทวัส Witthawatเสร็จแล้วครับ ไปกันเถอะset laew krap, pai gan thuhIt is ready, let's go.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinได้เลยค่ะdai loey kaOkay, let's go.
