Language/Thai/Culture/Thai-Greetings

Thai Culture → Thai Culture and Customs → Thai Greetings

As a Thai language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I love sharing cultural information and interesting facts with my students. In this lesson, we will explore Thai greetings, including the wai and other customs.

The Importance of Greetings in Thai Culture

In Thai culture, greetings are an important way to show respect and acknowledge another person's presence. When greeting someone in Thailand, it's essential to be polite, use the correct words, and display the appropriate level of respect.

Understanding the Wai

The wai is the most common form of greeting in Thailand, and it's used for both formal and informal occasions. To perform a wai, follow these steps:

1. Put your palms together in front of your chest, with your fingers pointing upwards.
2. Bow your head slightly towards your hands.
3. Say "Sawadee" (hello) or "Sawadee khrap" (hello, if you're male) or "Sawadee ka" (hello, if you're female).

The higher the hands are held, the more respect is being shown. For example, when waiing a monk, a higher hand position is used than when greeting a friend.

It's also essential to use the appropriate level of language when waiing someone. Use polite language when greeting an elder or someone of higher social status. Use informal language when greeting a friend or someone of the same age.

Other Greetings in Thailand

Apart from the wai, there are other common greetings in Thailand, depending on the occasion and the social status of the person being greeted. Here are some examples of other greetings in Thailand:

• Sawasdee (hello)
• Sawasdee khrap (hello, if you're male)
• Sawasdee ka (hello, if you're female)
• Sabai dee mai (how are you?)
• Sabai dee khrap (I'm fine, if you're male)
• Sabai dee ka (I'm fine, if you're female)
• Sa-wat-dii (greetings)
• Krub/ka (polite particle used at the end of sentences to show respect)

It's important to note that the phrase "sabai dee" is a common greeting in Thailand, but it's not typically used to enquire about someone's actual wellbeing. Instead, it's just a polite way to say hello.

Customs to Know When Greeting Someone in Thailand

Apart from using the right words and showing the appropriate level of respect, there are other customs to be aware of when greeting someone in Thailand. Some of these include:

• Dress appropriately for the occasion. If you're unsure what to wear, it's always best to err on the side of caution and dress conservatively.
• Don't touch someone's head. In Thai culture, the head is considered an incredibly sacred part of the body, so touching it is a big no-no.
• Remove your shoes before entering someone's home or a temple. This is a common custom in Thailand, and it's considered incredibly rude not to remove your shoes.
• Don't use your left hand. In Thai culture, the left hand is considered unclean, so it's essential to use your right hand when giving or receiving something.

By learning and respecting these customs, you show that you appreciate and understand Thai culture and customs.

Vocabulary

Here are a few essential vocabulary words to memorize before starting to practice Thai greetings:

Thai	Pronunciation	English
สวัสดี	sà-wàt-dii	hello
สบายดี	sà-baai-dii	how are you?
สบายดีครับ	sà-baai-dii kráb	I'm fine (if you're male)
สบายดีค่ะ	sà-baai-dii kâ	I'm fine (if you're female)
ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก	yin-dee têe dâi rûu jàk	Nice to meet you
คุณ	kun	you
คุณชื่ออะไร	khun chûea arai	What is your name?
ชื่อ	chûea	name
ส่วนตัว	sùan dtua	personal
แนะนำ	náe-nam	introduce

1. 1. Sources ##

• Thai Greeting
• Greeting Customs in Thailand

Table of Contents - Thai Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Basic Greetings & Introductions

• Saying Hello
• Asking for Name and Nationality
• Introducing Family Members

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject and Verb
• Negative Sentences
• Questions
• Adjectives

  ---

Numbers and Counting

• Numbers 1-10
• Numbers 11-100
• Ordinal Numbers
• Telephone Numbers

  ---

Present Tense Verbs

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs
• Verb 'To Be'

  ---

Thai Culture and Customs

• Thai Greetings
• Thai Food and Dining Etiquette
• Thai Festivals

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Time Expressions
• Days of the Week and Months

  ---

Adverbs

• Adverbs of Time
• Adverbs of Frequency
• Adverbs of Manner
• Comparative and Superlative Adverbs

  ---

Colors

• Basic Colors
• Describing Colors
• Fruit and Vegetables

  ---

Pronouns

• Subject Pronouns
• Object Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Thai Geography and Places

• Thai Provinces and Capitals
• Tourist Attractions in Thailand

  ---

Animals

• Common Animals
• Pet Animals
• Wild Animals

  ---

Prepositions

• Basic Prepositions
• Prepositions of Movement