![]() ![]() Similarly, when speaking to male children in a playful way, you'll often hear adult females using kráp instead of kâ. She'll acknowledge what I'm saying by replying kráp, kráp, kráp…It's almost like she is saying yes, yes, yes – which, in a way, she is. My wife does it often, especially when I'm moaning at her. Why Does My Girlfriend Say ‘Kráp' Sometimes ? The longer you hang around with Thais, the more you will witness these nuances. In another situation she may use a higher pitch of voice – accompanied by a funny face – to indicate playfulness, and as such drop the kráp/kâ. Similarly, you might come through the door after work and she greets you with sawat-dee (eee), holding the e in the same way. This negates the need for her to say kâ, because the person knows she is being playful. She might sustain the last syllables of the word to add cuteness to the question. Thais know other ways of displaying politeness without needing to use kráp/kâ.įor example, your girlfriend might see a friend and say Pai nai (iiii). You may be thinking that there are times you hear your partner speak with a friend or acquaintance, or even with you, and he/she doesn't use this particle. However, in the same setting, if you were to gesture to the waitress and ask her where the toilet is, you would certainly use the kráp/kâ particle. But you find this more so in Bangkok than elsewhere and, when used excessively, even Thais will note it sounds a tad false and pretentious. It's true that some Thai people do this, particularly some women. When meeting a friend for dinner, once you have said hello, how are you, and are you hungry? you don't need to carry on saying kráp/kâ after every sentence throughout the meal. ![]() But for the purpose of this article I am using kráp because it's a common transliteration. Note that you can also translate kráp in English with an h, like khráp. If they are using it, you can follow along too.Īs a final fallback, if you don't know whether to use it, then say it. You can also take a cue from the person you are speaking with. If you're speaking to an immigration official or the police, staff at a restaurant or shop, or someone older than you, always use kráp/kâ. Adding the particle at the end softens and sweetens a short, fairly abrupt question. In Thai, most people would informally say “Pai nai”? (go where). Generally speaking, everyday questions in Thai are often short and direct.įor example, in English you would ask “Where are you going?” In this situation, you would add kráp/kâ to the end of your sentence. Back home you'd probably say something like “Excuse me, how much is this please?”. If you want to know when to use kráp/kâ, just ask yourself whether the the same situation back home would require you to show politeness.įor example, let's say you want to know the price of something in a shop.
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