How to say thank 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 ขอบคุณ. The dotted line is your normal speaking pitch.

Other ways to say it

ขอบคุณครับ	khòp-khun khráp said by a man	▶ Hear
ขอบคุณค่ะ	khòp-khun khâ said by a woman	▶ Hear
ขอบคุณมาก	khòp-khun mâak thank you very much	▶ Hear

Getting it right

• khòp is low and cut off short at the p. Don't hold it.
• khun is mid: one steady, level note.
• Both kh sounds have a puff of air, like the k in “kite”.

When to use it

• Use it everywhere: shops, taxis, restaurants, anyone who helps you.
• Add ครับ (khráp) if you're a man and ค่ะ (khâ) if you're a woman.
• The usual reply is ไม่เป็นไร (mâi bpen rai), “no problem”.

Check your tones

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

Practise ขอบคุณ free Try the no-signup tone test

Questions people ask

How do you say thank you very much in Thai?

ขอบคุณมาก (khòp-khun mâak). Add ครับ or ค่ะ at the end to be polite.

What tones are in ขอบคุณ?

Low then mid: khòp is low and short, khun is level.

More Thai phrases

hello · sorry / excuse me · 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.