Formal: Sawasdee (khrap/kha) – Use this greeting when you’re not sure who you’re speaking to or if you’re calling someone of higher status or age.
Informal: Hallo-loh / Haa loh / Loh – This is a casual greeting derived from the English “hello.” Be sure to use a rising tone on the “loh” part.
Waa ngai – “What’s up?”
Sabai dee mai? – “How’s it going? All good?”
Sabai dee rue ppaao? – “How ya doing?”
Ngai baai dee ma? – “You good?”
In Thai, the way you greet someone really depends on the situation and who you’re speaking to, as there are many variations of “hi.” This can sometimes be confusing, but the key is to choose the greeting that feels most appropriate for the person and context!
How to Say “Nice to Meet You” in Thai
In Thai, people often use the phrase “Yin dee tee dai roo jak” to say “Nice to meet you.” However, it’s not something Thai people typically say when meeting someone for the first time. While it’s perfectly fine for you, as a non-native speaker, to use this phrase, you can also skip it altogether. It’s common for people to simply greet each other, introduce themselves, and then start talking without any formal greeting like “Nice to meet you.”
How to Introduce Yourself in Thai
Introducing yourself in Thai is quite simple. After you’ve greeted someone, you can just tell them your name. While the greeting may vary depending on who you’re speaking to, Sawasdee khrap/kha is a safe and polite choice for a first meeting.
Self-introduction: Gaan nae-nam tua
Introduce: Nae-nam
To introduce yourself, you can say:
Chan chue ..Your Name… khrap/kha – “My name is [NAME].”
It’s easy and straightforward to introduce yourself, and the main thing to remember is to use the appropriate greeting based on who you’re meeting!