Essential Thai Greetings

First hellos

สวัสดี works at any hour, which makes Thai one of the friendliest languages to start speaking on day one. The time-of-day versions exist, but locals mostly reach for the all-purpose hello.

1. 1 สวัสดี sawatdi — Hello
2. 2 สวัสดีตอนเช้า sawatdi ton chao — Good morning
3. 3 สวัสดีตอนเย็น sawatdi ton yen — Good evening
4. 4 ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก yindi thi dai ruchak — Nice to meet you
5. 5 ยินดีต้อนรับ yindi tonrap — Welcome

How are you?

One question, one answer, and a warm extra — this tiny loop carries most Thai small talk.

1. 6 สบายดีไหม sabaidi mai — How are you?
2. 7 สบายดี sabaai dii — I'm fine
3. 8 ดีใจที่ได้เจอ dii chai thîi dâi choe — Happy to see you

Thanks and sorry

Gratitude and apology are where the politeness particles really earn their keep — these four keep every interaction smooth.

1. 9 ขอบคุณ khopkhun — Thank you
2. 10 ยินดี yindi — You're welcome
3. 11 ขอโทษ khotthot — Sorry

   One word covers sorry, excuse me, and may-I-get-past.

4. 12 ขออภัย kho aphai — My apologies

   The heavier, formal apology — announcements and businesses use it.

Goodbyes and good nights

Thai partings range from see-you-soon warmth to almost-literary farewells. Pick by how long you'll be gone.

1. 13 เจอกันใหม่ choe kan mai — See you again
2. 14 ลาก่อน la kon — Goodbye
3. 15 ราตรีสวัสดิ์ ratri sawat — Good night

In real life: meeting someone for the first time