Learning Thai with Bart: Lesson2 - Kha & Khap

One of the first things to know about Thai language is that almost all sentences finish with Kha (for women) or Khap (for men). This is a polite form that you put at the end of all you sentences. If you are a man you will always say Khap (pronounciation is not sure, though, something like krap or kreup) and if you are a woman you will always say Kha (Kaaaa).

For instance you will never hear “Sawadee” (Hello), but “Sawadee Kha” or “Sawadee Khap”. You will seldom hear “Sabaidee Mai” (how are you?) and more often “Sabaidee Mai Kha” or “Sabaidee Mai Khap”. Thai people use these words all the time and many times in the same conversation.

For Example (a girl meets a guy):

- Sawadee Kha. Sabaidee Mai Kha? (Hello Kha, How are you kha?)

- Sawadee Khap. Sabaidee. Khun la Khap? (Hello Khap, I am fine. And you Khap?)

- Sabaidee Kha. KhopKhun Kha. (I’m fine Kha, Thank you Kha).

The conversation could go for hours there would always be Kha and Khap. It is so common that Farangs use them also while speaking english with Thai people. It is common to say (or to hear from Thai people) “Ok Khap”, or “Bye Bye Khap”.

Or when you take a taxi you would say: “Sheraton Hotel Khap”. This word actually replaces the “please” in this case. The whole sentence would be “please take me to Sheraton Hotel” but it is easier and more efficient to use the former sentence (unless you speak Thai, that is).

In conclusion, this is an easy one, always remember to finish with Kha if you are a woman and Khap if you are a man. You can’t be wrong .