How to say how are you in Thai

The tone on every syllable

Thai has five tones, and each syllable carries one. Here's the shape your voice makes on each part of สบายดีไหม. The dotted line is your normal speaking pitch.

Other ways to say it

สบายดี

sà-baai-dii the reply: I'm well

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Getting it right

• mǎi is the question word, and its rise is its own tone, not English question intonation. Dip, then rise.
• baai and dii are both mid and level. Keep them flat so the rise on mǎi stands out.
• sà is low and quick.

When to use it

• Use it with people you know, the way you'd say “how are you?” in English.
• Men add ครับ (khráp). Women asking a question add คะ (khá), which goes up, not ค่ะ.
• Reply with สบายดี (sà-baai-dii), “I'm well”, plus ครับ or ค่ะ.

Check your tones

Reading the tone is one thing; saying it is another. In Ravela's Pronunciation Lab you say สบายดีไหม and see your pitch drawn over a native line, with notes on what to change. It's free to start, no card needed.

Practise สบายดีไหม free Try the no-signup tone test

Questions people ask

How do you answer สบายดีไหม?

สบายดี (sà-baai-dii), “I'm well”, with ครับ or ค่ะ at the end.

Why does ไหม rise?

ไหม (mǎi) is a rising-tone word. The rise is part of the word itself.

More Thai phrases

hello · thank you · sorry / excuse me · delicious · how much? · beautiful · no problem / never mind · yes / no · where's the toilet? · excuse me · I love you · good night · what's your name · I don't understand · where are you from · Khráp and khâ: the polite endings · for the bill

The audio is Ravela's reference voice. Romanisation follows Ravela's house style, with the tone marked on every syllable.