How to say sorry in Thai
Sorry and excuse me in Thai are both ขอโทษ (khǒr-thôot). Hear it, see the rising and falling tones, and practise it.
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 ขอโทษ. The dotted line is your normal speaking pitch.
Other ways to say it
| ขอโทษครับ | khǒr-thôot khráp said by a man | |
| ขอโทษค่ะ | khǒr-thôot khâ said by a woman |
Getting it right
- The two syllables move in opposite directions. khǒr dips and then rises; thôot starts high and falls.
- Keep thôot short at the end: the t is stopped, not released.
When to use it
- It means both “sorry” and “excuse me”: for a mistake, for getting past someone, or for interrupting.
- Add ครับ (khráp) if you're a man and ค่ะ (khâ) if you're a woman.
- You'll often hear ไม่เป็นไร (mâi bpen rai) in reply: “never mind”.
Check your tones
Reading the tone is one thing; saying it is another. In Ravela's Pronunciation Lab you say ขอโทษ and see your pitch drawn over a native line, with notes on what to change. It's free to start, no card needed.
Practise ขอโทษ free Try the no-signup tone test
Questions people ask
Is ขอโทษ sorry or excuse me?
Both. ขอโทษ (khǒr-thôot) covers apologising and politely getting someone's attention.
What tones are in ขอโทษ?
Rising then falling: khǒr dips and rises, thôot starts high and drops.
More Thai phrases
hello · thank you · how are you? · 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.
Hear it, say it, see how close you are
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