How to say “nice to meet you” in Thai

What it means

ยินดีyin-dii (glad) + ที่tîi (that) + ได้dâi (got to) + รู้จักrúu-jàk (know a person): "glad that I got to know you". It's the textbook phrase, and you'll hear it at work, at formal events and when you're introduced to someone older. Among young people it can sound a little stiff; they're more likely to say สวัสดีsà-wàt-dii, swap nicknames and start chatting.

Meeting Thais: what really happens

• The wai. The younger or more junior person usually wais first. If someone wais you, return it with a smile.
• Names. You'll get a nickname, not a full name. Use คุณkun + name until you know who's older, then switch to พี่pîi or น้องnáwng.
• The questions. Where are you from, how long have you been in Thailand, how old are you, are you married, and the classic กินเผ็ดได้ไหมgin pèt dâi mǎi: "can you eat spicy food?"
• Handshakes. In business, Thai men often shake hands with foreigners, but between Thais the wai is the norm. Let the other person lead.

Meeting your partner's family

This is where ยินดีที่ได้รู้จักyin-dii tîi dâi rúu-jàk really earns its place. Wai the parents and grandparents first, with your particle and a slight bow, and let your partner tell you what to call them: คุณพ่อkun pâw and คุณแม่kun mâe, or ลุงlung and ป้าbpâa. Bring fruit or a small gift, praise the food, and if you want to melt hearts, add the humble newcomer's line ฝากเนื้อฝากตัวด้วยนะfàak núea fàak dtua dûay ná, "please take me under your wing".

Pronunciation

Six syllables with a gentle melody: yin and dii are level, tîi and dâi fall, rúu is high and long, and jàk is low and short with an unreleased k. Spellings like yindee tee dai roo jak are trying to show exactly this. Don't rush it: said slowly and warmly, it sounds sincere.