Everyone loves compliments. A compliment can make someone feel good, boost self-confidence, and improve the quality of relationships. So as a Thai learner, you should know a few basic Thai compliments to brighten someone’s day. In this lesson, you’ll learn about compliments in the Thai language and how to use them.
We’ll begin by covering the vocabulary aspect of common Thai compliments for beginners, and then we’ll show you how to apply them in various situations.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information About Compliments in Thai
- Thai Compliments on Someone’s Look
- Thai Compliments on Someone’s Work
- Thai Compliments on Someone’s Skill
- Conclusion
1. Basic Information About Compliments in Thai
Before you learn how to compliment a Thai girl or how to compliment men in Thai, you should know the Thai etiquette for giving and receiving compliments.
First, some basic vocabulary. คำชมเชย (kham-chom-chooei) or คำชม (kham-chom) are the noun form of “compliment” in Thai, while ชม (chom) is the verb form of “compliment” or “praise.” There’s no difference in meaning between คำชมเชย (kham-chom-chooei) and คำชม (kham-chom), and คำชม (kham-chom) is just a shortened word for คำชมเชย (kham-chom-chooei).
1 – Give Sincere Compliments in Thai
How do Thai people give compliments? Like in most cultures, a compliment in Thai needs to be sincere. Here are a few tips for how to add sincerity to your compliment:
- Use a sincere tone of voice. Thai people often speak sarcastically. So in conversation, it’s important to pay attention to both the message and the speaker’s tone of voice. To give sincere compliments in Thai, make sure that your tone of voice shows sincerity.
- Smile. As you know, Thailand is the Land of Smiles. Smiling can add sincerity and depth to your words, and send positive feelings to the person you’re complimenting.
2 – What Thai People Do When Receiving Compliments
What can you expect after offering someone a compliment? How should you respond to compliments while in Thailand? Here are a few tips:
- Say “Thank you.” To show that you’re thankful for the compliment, you say ขอบคุณ (khàawp-khun), which means “thank you” in Thai.
- Wai. If the person who gave you the compliment is older than you, you should ไหว้ (wâi). This action is used to show that you’re thankful to the other party.
- Give credit where it’s due. Some people aren’t used to receiving compliments or feel shy. If you fall into this category, in addition to saying “thank you,” you can also give credit to another party. For example, if someone compliments you for organizing a good event, you can thank them and give credit to your good team.
3 – Adverbs You Should Know
Now, let’s learn a little bit about grammar. When you give compliments in Thai, you can add the following adverbs to emphasize your compliments.
- มาก (mâak) is “very” in Thai. You can add มาก (mâak) after a compliment in both formal and informal conversations.
- เวอร์ (wôoe) is also “very” in Thai. However, you can only add เวอร์ (wôoe) after a compliment in informal conversations.
At this point, you should have basic knowledge about Thai compliments. In the following sections, you’ll learn some of the most common Thai compliments, important vocabulary, and more.
2. Thai Compliments on Someone’s Look
These may be the top Thai compliments that many people want to learn, especially those who want to know how to compliment a Thai girl. For easy understanding, we’ll teach you how to give compliments on someone’s look in formal situations first, and then informal situations. But the first thing you have to learn is the sentence structure:
subject / body part / look + adj = subject / body part / look is adj.
1 – Formal
To compliment someone’s look formally, here’s a list of adjectives and phrases you can use, with example sentences:
1. Look good
Thai compliment: ดูดี (duu-dii)
Example:
ชุดนี้ทำให้เธอดูดีมากเลย
chút-níi-tham-hâi-thooe-duu-dii-mâak-looei
“This outfit makes you look really good.”
2. Beautiful
Thai compliment: สวย (sǔuai)
Example:
นางแบบคนนั้นขาสวย
naang-bàaep-khon-nán-khǎa-sǔuai
“That model has beautiful legs.”
3. Handsome
Thai compliment: หล่อ (làaw)
Example:
ตอนหนุ่ม ๆ คุณพ่อของฉันหล่อมาก
dtaawn-nùm-nùm-khun-phâaw-khǎawng-chǎn-làaw-mâak
“When he was young, my father was very handsome.”
4. Cute
Thai compliment: น่ารัก (nâa-rák)
Example:
ลูกชายของเธอน่ารักและมารยาทดี
lûuk-chai-khǎawng-thooe-nâa-rák-láe-maa-rá-yâat-dii
“Your son is cute and has good manners.”
5. Smart
Thai compliment: ภูมิฐาน (phuum-thǎan)
Example:
คุณใส่สูทตัวนี้แล้วดูภูมิฐาน
khun-sài-sùut-dtuua-níi-láaeo-duu-phuum-thǎan
“Wearing this suit makes you look smart.”
6. Sweet smile
Thai compliment: ยิ้มหวาน (yím-wǎan)
Example:
ทุกคนชอบยิ้มหวาน ๆ ของแก้ว
thúk-khon-châawp-yím-wǎan-khǎawng-khâaeo
“Everyone likes Kaew’s sweet smile.”
7. Good personality
Thai compliment: บุคลิกดี (bùk-khà-lík-dii)
Example:
เขาไม่ได้หล่อ แต่บุคลิกดี
khǎo-mâi-dâi-làaw dtàae-bùk-khà-lík-dii
“He isn’t handsome but has a good personality.”
2 – Informal
When you want to compliment someone in Thai in an informal situation, here are adjectives and phrases you can use, with example sentences.
1. Look good
Thai compliment: งานดี (ngaan-dii)
Literal meaning: “good work”
Example:
ดูหุ่นนักแสดงคนนั้นสิ งานดีมาก
duu-hùn-nák-sà-daaeng-khon-nán-sì ngaan-dii-mâak
“Look at that actor’s body, it looks really good.”
2. Sexy / Hot
Thai compliment: แซบ (sâaep)
Literal meaning: “delicious” (Northeast dialect)
Example:
ตาลใส่ชุดเดรสสีแดงตัวนั้นแล้วแซบมาก
dtaan-sài-chút-dréet-sǐi-daaeng-dtuua-nán-láaeo-sâaep-mâak
“Tarn looks really sexy, wearing that red dress.”
3. Classy
Thai compliment: ดูแพง (duu-phaaeng)
Literal meaning: “look expensive”
Example:
แป้งบุคลิกและหน้าตาดี ใส่อะไรก็ดูแพงไปหมด
bpaaeng-bùk-khà-lík-láae-nâa-dtaa-dii sài-à-rai-gâaw-duu-phaaeng-bpai-mòt
“Pang has a good personality and pretty face. She looks classy regardless of her dress.”
4. Light skin tone
Thai compliment: ขาววิ้ง (khǎao-wíng)
Literal meaning: “sparkling white”
Example:
แนทผิวขาววิ้งมาก ใส่เสื้อผ้าสีสดใสแล้วดูดี
náaet-phǐu-khǎao-wíng-mâk sài-sûuea-phâa-sǐi-sòt-sǎi-láaeo-duu-dii
“Nat has a really light skin tone. She looks really good when wearing colorful clothes.”
Additional note: Thai people think that a light skin tone is beautiful.
5. Look stunning
Thai compliment: มีออร่า (mii-aaw-râa)
Literal meaning: “has aura”
Example:
เมื่อคืนพินมีออร่ามาก เป็นเจ้าสาวที่สวยเวอร์
mûuea-khuuen-phin-mii-aaw-râa-mâak bpen-jâo-sǎao-thîi-sǔuai-wôoe
“Phin looked really stunning last night. She was a very beautiful bride.”
3. Thai Compliments on Someone’s Work
Compliments in the workplace are really important as they boost positive energy in the office and create a good working atmosphere. Thus, if you work with Thai people, you should know a few compliment words and phrases in Thai for the workplace.
1 – Good job
Thai compliment: ทำงานดี (tham-ngaan-dii)
Example:
ลูกค้าชอบพรีเซนท์ของคุณ ทำงานดีมาก
lûk-kháa-châawp-phrii-sént-khǎawng-khun tham-ngaan-dii-mâak
“Customers like your presentation. Good job!”
2 – Neat
Thai compliment: เรียบร้อยดี (rîiap-ráauy-dii)
Example:
งบกระแสเงินสดเดือนนี้เรียบร้อยดี ดีมาก
ngóp-grà-sǎae-ngen-sòt-duuan-níi-rîiap-ráauy-dii dii-mâak
“The cash flow report for this month is really neat. Well done.”
Additional note: This may sound a bit weird, but Thai people really do comment when the work is done in an organized manner and looks presentable.
3 – Good idea
Thai compliment: ไอเดียดี (ai-diia-dii)
Example:
ฉันชอบคอนเซปการตลาดอันนี้ ไอเดียดีมาก
chǎn-châawp-khaawn-sèp-gaan-dtà-làat-an-níi ai-diia-dii-mâak
“I like this marketing concept, very good idea.”
4 – Responsible
Thai compliment: มีความรับผิดชอบ (mii-khwaam-ráp-phìt-châawp)
Example:
คุณทำงานดีและมีความรับผิดชอบ ผมจะเลื่อนตำแหน่งให้
khun-tham-ngaan-dii-láae-mii-khwaam-ráp-phìt-châawp phǒm-jà-lûuean-dtam-nàaeng-hâi
“You work well and are responsible. I will promote you.”
5 – Solve problem well
Thai compliment: แก้ปัญหาได้ดี (gâae-bpan-hǎa-dâi-dii)
Example:
เมื่อวานคุณแก้ปัญหาได้ดีมาก
mûuea-waan-khun-gâae-bpan-hǎa-dâi-dii-mâak
“You solved the problem very well yesterday.”
6 – Awesome
Thai compliment: ยอดเยี่ยม (yâawt-yîiam)
Example:
การออกแบบของคุณยอดเยี่ยมมาก
gaan-àawk-bàap-khǎawng-khun-yâawt-yîiam-mâak
“Your design is awesome.”
4. Thai Compliments on Someone’s Skill
In addition to compliments for looks and work, another type of compliment you should know are those about someone’s skill. Below are some compliments you can use in various situations.
1 – Good at traveling
Thai compliment: เดินทางเก่ง (dooen-thaang-gèeng)
Example:
น้ำเดินทางเก่งมาก ให้ไปไหนก็ไปได้
nám-dooen-thaang-gèeng-mâak hâi-bpai-nǎi-gâaw-bpai-dâi
“Nam is very good at traveling. She can go anywhere.”
Additional note: This compliment is used to praise someone who can travel to various places without many problems. Some people can’t do this because they tire quickly, get lost easily, etc.
2 – Cook delicious food
Thai compliment: ทำอาหารอร่อย (tham-aa-hǎan-à-ràauy)
Example:
แม่ทำอาหารจีนอร่อยมาก ๆ
mâae-tham-aa-hǎan-jiin-à-ràauy-mâk-mâk
“Mom cooks Chinese food very deliciously.”
3 – Taking photos beautifully
Thai compliment: ถ่ายรูปสวย (thàai-rûup-sǔuai)
Example:
กนกถ่ายรูปสวย
gà-nòk-thàai-rûup-sǔuai
“Kanok takes photos beautifully.”
4 – Good at sports
Thai compliment: เล่นกีฬาเก่ง (lên-gii-laa-gèeng)
Example:
ตั้วเล่นปิงปองเก่งมาก
dtûua-lên-bping-bpaawng-gèeng-mâak
“Tua is very good at table tennis.”
Additional note: You can substitute กีฬา (gii-laa), which means “sport” in Thai, with the name of the sport.
5 – Sings well
Thai compliment: ร้องเพลงเพราะ (ráawng-pleeng-práo)
Example:
ทรายร้องเพลงเพราะเหมือนนักร้อง
saai-ráawng-pleeng-phráw-mǔuean-nák-ráawng
“Sai sings well like a singer.”
6 – Good at speaking
Thai compliment: พูดเก่ง (phûut-gèeng)
Example:
ถึงจะอายุยังน้อย แต่มินท์เป็นเด็กที่พูดเก่งมาก
thǔng-jà-aa-yú-yang-náauy dtàae-mín-bpen-dèk-thîi-phûut-gèeng-mâak
“Despite her young age, Mint is good at speaking.”
7 – Draws pictures beautifully
Thai compliment: วาดรูปสวย (wâat-rûup-sǔuai)
Example:
แนนวาดรูปสวยมาก เหมือนจิตรกรเลย
naaen-wâat-rûup-sǔuai-mâak-mǔuean-jìt-dtrà-khaawn-looei
“Nan draws pictures beautifully like an artist.”
8 – Dances well
Thai compliment: เต้นเก่ง (dtên-gèeng)
Example:
นอกจากจะร้องเพลงเก่งแล้ว เบิร์ดยังเต้นเก่งด้วย
nâawk-jàak-jà-ráawng-phleeng-gèeng-láaeo bóoet-yang-dtên-gèeng-dûuai
“Apart from singing well, Bird also dances well.”
9 – Good at (subject)
Thai compliment: เก่ง… (gèeng-…)
Explanation: Put the name of the subject after เก่ง (gèeng).
Example:
จินดาเก่งเลขและภาษาอังกฤษมาก
Jin-daa gèeng lêek láe phaa-săa ang-grìt mâak
“Jinda is very good at Math and English.”
10 – Good at doing makeup
Thai compliment: แต่งหน้าเก่ง (dtàaeng-nâa-gèeng)
Example:
น้องสาวของฉันแต่งหน้าเก่ง
náawng-sǎao-khǎawng-chǎn-dtàaeng-nâa-gèeng
“My sister is good at doing makeup.”
11 – Good at teaching
Thai compliment: สอนหนังสือดี (sǎawn-nǎng-sǔue-dii)
Example:
นักเรียนทุกคนชอบครูฝัน เพราะ ครูใจดีและสอนหนังสือดี
nák-riian-thúk-khon-châawp-khruu-fǎn phráw-khruu-sǎawn-nǎng-sǔue-dii
“Every student likes Teacher Fhun because she is kind and good at teaching.”
12 – Good at ___
Thai compliment: … เก่ง (…-gèeng)
Explanation: Put a verb before เก่ง (gèeng) to show that someone is good at that action.
Example 1:
ยิ้มออกแบบเสื้อผ้าเก่ง
Yím-àawk-bàap-sûuea-phâa-gèeng
“Yim is good at designing clothes.”
Example 2:
อนันต์พรีเซ็นต์งานเก่งมาก ลูกค้าประทับใจ
à-nan-phrii-sént-ngaan-gèeng-mâak lûuk-kháa-bprà-tháp-jai
“Anan is very good at presentations. Customers like it.”
5. Conclusion
At this point, you should be able to give basic compliments in Thai. As mentioned before, learning how to give compliments is very important and can be very useful. So keep practicing.
Also, we would like to know whether you found this lesson hard or easy. Is giving compliments in Thai different from how it’s done in your native language? Leave us a comment below to let us know!
And don’t forget to check out our other fun lessons at ThaiPod101.com. We recommend our lessons on Loy Krathong Day and Thai Sweets if you want to learn more about Thai culture.
Happy learning!
