How to say “welcome” in Thai

Yindee tonrap

ยินดีyin-dii means glad and ต้อนรับdtâwn-ráp means to receive guests, so ยินดีต้อนรับyin-dii dtâwn-ráp is "glad to receive you". It's the welcome of signs, hotels, shops and ceremonies: you'll see it over hotel entrances and at the airport, and staff in many chain stores greet every customer with สวัสดีค่ะsà-wàt-dii kâ and a welcome line. You don't need to answer; a smile is enough.

Welcoming people at home

At home, Thais rarely say ยินดีต้อนรับyin-dii dtâwn-ráp. Instead they say มาแล้วเหรอmaa láew rǒe ("you're here!"), เข้ามาเลยkâo maa loei ("come on in") or simply เชิญchoen, then offer water and tell you to sit: นั่งก่อนสิnâng gàwn sì. A few things help you be a good guest:

• Shoes off at the door of every home, and at many shops, clinics and temple buildings. Look for the pile of shoes.
• Bring something small: fruit, snacks or a treat from your home town. Thais call souvenirs and gifts for others ของฝากkǎwng-fàak.
• Greet the elders first, with a wai and สวัสดีsà-wàt-dii.
• Accept the water or snack you're offered, even if you only take a sip.

As you step in, a polite guest says ขอรบกวนหน่อยนะkǎw róp-guan nàwy ná, "sorry to impose": a very Thai mix of thanks and modesty.

Welcome is not "you're welcome"

English uses "welcome" for two different things; Thai doesn't. ยินดีต้อนรับyin-dii dtâwn-ráp greets an arrival. The reply to "thank you" is ไม่เป็นไรmâi bpen rai ("it's nothing") or ยินดีyin-dii on its own ("my pleasure"). Say ยินดีต้อนรับyin-dii dtâwn-ráp after someone thanks you and it sounds as if you're opening the door for them.

Pronunciation

Yin and dii are both level, mid tones. Dtâwn falls; its "dt" is a Thai t with no puff of air, halfway between English d and t, and the vowel is the "aw" of "law". Ráp is high and short, ending in a p you don't release. Spellings like yindee tonrap and yin dee ton rub all mean this phrase.