คุณคือใคร
khun khue khrai
In Thai, the phrase to ask "who are you?" is คุณคือใคร (khun khue khrai).
This phrase is used when you genuinely do not know the identity of the person you are speaking to.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of คุณ (you), คือ (is/am/are) and ใคร (who).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
คุณคือใคร is the formal way to ask this question. In contrast, using แกเป็นใคร is very informal or can even sound aggressive and confrontational depending on your tone.
How do you pronounce it?
khun khue khrai
Did you know?
- The word คุณ originally meant 'virtue' or 'goodness' and was used as a title of respect before it became the standard polite pronoun for 'you'.
- Thai speakers often use kinship terms like พี่ ('older sibling') or น้อง ('younger sibling') instead of คุณ when asking identity to immediately establish a friendly social hierarchy.
- In many Thai social contexts, asking 'who are you?' directly can be perceived as extremely rude or challenging someone's status.
Examples in context
- คุณคือใครคะkhun khue khrai khaWho are you?
- ขอโทษครับ คุณคือใครkho thot khrap, khun khue khraiExcuse me, who are you?
- คุณคือใครในรูปนี้khun khue khrai nai rup niWho are you in this photo?
Example conversation
Two strangers meet at a business event.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritสวัสดีครับ คุณคือใครครับsawatdee khrap khun khue khrai khrapHello, who are you?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinฉันชื่อสิรินทร์ค่ะchan chue sirin khaMy name is Sirin.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritยินดีที่ได้รู้จักครับ คุณสิรินทร์yindee thee dai ruejak khrap khun sirinNice to meet you, Ms. Sirin.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinยินดีที่ได้รู้จักเช่นกันค่ะyindee thee dai ruejak chen kan khaNice to meet you too.
