Which one should you use?
While อร่อย is the standard term, you may encounter different variations: อร่อยมากค่ะ/ครับ is a polite way to say it is very delicious, อร่อยมากจริงๆ is an informal way to say it is really yummy and อร่อยมากเว้ย is a colloquial slang expression used to say it is super yummy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To sound more polite or complete, you can add the particles ครับ (kráp) for males or ค่ะ (kâ) for females at the end of your sentence. For example, อร่อยมากค่ะ/ครับ is a polite way to express that something is very delicious.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify the phrase to change its meaning: adding มาก (mâak) after อร่อย makes it mean "very delicious," and adding ไหม (mǎi) at the end turns the adjective into a yes/no question, such as อร่อยไหม (is it delicious?).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced à-rɔ̀i. It consists of 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- While English speakers might say 'yummy' to describe a cute baby, using อร่อย in this way in Thai would be taken literally and sound very strange.
- Thai culture has a specific word นัว to describe a complex, savory, and blended 'deliciousness', often associated with MSG or fermented fish sauce.
- While อร่อย describes food, Thai people often use the word แซ่บ to specifically describe food that is 'deliciously' spicy, sour, or bold.
Examples in context
- อาหารที่ท่านทำอร่อยมากค่ะ!The food you prepared is very delicious!
- อาหารนี้อร่อยมากThis food is very delicious.
- ส้มตำนี้อร่อยมากsomtam ni aroi makThis papaya salad is very delicious.
- อาหารฝีมือแม่อร่อยที่สุดahan fimue mae aroi thi sutMom's cooking is the most delicious.
- ขนมชิ้นนี้อร่อยดีนะkhanom chin ni aroi di naThis piece of dessert is quite yummy.
Example conversation
Two friends are eating lunch at a local street food stall.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitกะเพราจานนี้อร่อยไหมkaprao can ni aroi maiIs this basil stir-fry delicious?
- ณิชา Nichaอร่อยมากเลยค่ะaroi mak loei khaIt is very delicious.
- ชลสิทธิ์ Cholasitดีใจที่ณิชาชอบdi chai thi Nicha chopI'm glad you like it, Nicha.
- ณิชา Nichaสั่งเพิ่มอีกจานก็ได้นะsang phoem ik can ko dai naWe could order another plate.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yummy” translations and entries อร่อย, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
