How to say “congratulations” in Thai

Yin dee duay: glad with you

ยินดีyin-dii means glad and ด้วยdûay means "with you, too", so ยินดีด้วยyin-dii dûay is "I'm glad with you". It's the all-purpose congratulations: exams, a new job, a promotion, an engagement, a wedding, a baby, a new house. To name the occasion, add กับgàp + the news: ยินดีด้วยกับงานใหม่yin-dii dûay gàp ngaan mài, "congratulations on the new job". The same ยินดีyin-dii appears in ยินดีต้อนรับyin-dii dtâwn-ráp (welcome) and ยินดีที่ได้รู้จักyin-dii tîi dâi rúu-jàk (nice to meet you).

Big occasions, Thai style

• Graduation. Thai university graduations are huge family events: flowers, garlands, teddy bears in gowns and hired photographers. Friends queue for photos with the graduate and say ยินดีด้วยนะyin-dii dûay ná.
• Weddings. Guests usually give money in an envelope, often with a short written blessing, rather than a gift from a list. Wish the couple ขอให้มีความสุขมากๆkǎw-hâi mii kwaam-sùk mâak-mâak.
• A new home. Many Thais hold a housewarming with monks chanting a blessing in the morning, then a meal for friends and family.
• A new baby. Visitors bring small gifts and say ยินดีด้วยyin-dii dûay, then น่ารักจังnâa-rák jang about the baby.

Praise in everyday Thai

For smaller wins, Thais praise with เก่งมากgèng mâak ("well done, so clever"), สุดยอดsùt-yâwt ("awesome") or, in slang, ปังมากbpang mâak ("a smash hit"). Expect a modest reply: Thais often play achievements down with โชคช่วยchôok chûay, "I was just lucky", and a smile.

In a card or message

Keep it short and warm: ยินดีด้วยนะyin-dii dûay ná, the person's name or nickname, and one wish starting with ขอให้kǎw-hâi, then a sticker. For a formal card from a company or a colleague group, start with ขอแสดงความยินดีkǎw sà-daeng kwaam yin-dii.

One mix-up to avoid: ยินดีด้วยyin-dii dûay is congratulations, but เสียใจด้วยsǐa-jai dûay is "I'm sorry for your loss". Both end in ด้วยdûay; the first word makes all the difference.

Pronunciation

Yin and dii are both level; dûay falls, with the "ua" of "tour" gliding into a y. Spellings like yin dee duay and yindee duai are all this phrase. Say it brightly: it's good news.