Up to you in Thai

“Up to you” in Thai is ตามใจdtaam-jai; you'll also hear แล้วแต่láew-dtàe (it depends).

ตามใจ dtaam-jai

up to you, as you like; to indulge (someone) phrase

dtaam mid
jai mid

Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.

Parts: ตามdtaam to follow ใจjai heart, mind

แล้วแต่ láew-dtàe

it depends (on); up to (you) phrase

láew high
dtàe low

High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.

Thais say it a lot to stay easygoing and let others choose: แล้วแต่คุณláew-dtàe kun (up to you), แล้วแต่คนláew-dtàe kon (it depends on the person).

แล้วแต่láew-dtàe is taught in Unit 22 · Lesson 1: I think… because… of the free course.

Practise it free

How to use it

ตามใจdtaam-jai, "follow (your) heart", is the easy-going "up to you, as you like". It's what you'll hear when you ask a Thai friend where to eat, along with แล้วแต่láew-dtàe, "it depends on (you)". Watch the tone of voice: a short, flat ตามใจdtaam-jai at the end of an argument means "suit yourself!". To ตามใจdtaam-jai someone is also to indulge them, the way grandparents spoil grandchildren.