HOW TO SAY: “Thank you” in Southeast Asia
This is just about the very first phrase we wanted to learn but keep forgeting it for some reason...Let’s re-look at how we say our appreciation and gratitude within our great region, shall we?...
Although the easiest way is the straightforward “Thank you”, which most of us understands anyway… saying it in their local language puts a tone of sincerity to it. Trying to learn their language by starting with a “Thank you” will make you more endearing to your hosts.
The people of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei use the term “Terima kasih”. This is the easiest expression to use which will be understood in all 4 countries. Add “banyak-banyak” if you wanna thank them a lot.
And of course, the use of Chinese would be appreciated too if your hosts are Chinese. Say “Xie xie” with your sweetest smile or “Toa xie” and “Doh je” if they speak Cantonese. Say “Nandri” to our Tamil brothers and you might get nice pat at the back!
They say “Salamat” in the Philippines. Add “maraming” before it if you wanna thank them a lot. And… add “po” after it to be more respectful and polite – “Maraming salamat po.” Please note the “po” is pronounced as “pok” without aspirating the “k”.
Our Cambodian brothers (and sisters!) say “Ar kun”. And they say “Kop jai lai lai” in Laos or simply "Kop jai". Our Burmese friends say “Chezu ba” or “Amyaji chezu tinbade” for lotsa thanks! The adorable people of Vietnam say “Cám ơn”.
“Kop khun khrap” is the Thai term for “thank you”. Add “mak” after the khun for “many thanks” and change “khrap” to “kha” if you are (or think =) a female. I guess you already know that we Thais are lazy pronouncing the letter “R”? LOL!
Although the easiest way is the straightforward “Thank you”, which most of us understands anyway… saying it in their local language puts a tone of sincerity to it. Trying to learn their language by starting with a “Thank you” will make you more endearing to your hosts.
The people of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei use the term “Terima kasih”. This is the easiest expression to use which will be understood in all 4 countries. Add “banyak-banyak” if you wanna thank them a lot.
And of course, the use of Chinese would be appreciated too if your hosts are Chinese. Say “Xie xie” with your sweetest smile or “Toa xie” and “Doh je” if they speak Cantonese. Say “Nandri” to our Tamil brothers and you might get nice pat at the back!
They say “Salamat” in the Philippines. Add “maraming” before it if you wanna thank them a lot. And… add “po” after it to be more respectful and polite – “Maraming salamat po.” Please note the “po” is pronounced as “pok” without aspirating the “k”.Our Cambodian brothers (and sisters!) say “Ar kun”. And they say “Kop jai lai lai” in Laos or simply "Kop jai". Our Burmese friends say “Chezu ba” or “Amyaji chezu tinbade” for lotsa thanks! The adorable people of Vietnam say “Cám ơn”.
“Kop khun khrap” is the Thai term for “thank you”. Add “mak” after the khun for “many thanks” and change “khrap” to “kha” if you are (or think =) a female. I guess you already know that we Thais are lazy pronouncing the letter “R”? LOL!
we thank you in all languages.
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8 Comments:
"Walang anuman!" (this is how we say "You're welcome!" in the Philippines). Happy birthday again!
Happy First Blog Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to all the people behind the BISEAN blog. Keep on blogging.
Happy first blog anniversary!
in my language it is ' dacal pung salamat'
For Bahasa Melayu (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei & Indonesia) we dont reply 'banyak-banyak' for You're Welcome but the 'banyak-banyak' can be add at Terima kasih (thank you) banyak-banyak (so much) and u will reply "Sama-sama"
Basically for Malaysia... after someone says terima kasih... we will reply sama-sama (literally means same to you too) this is because terima kasih if you translate it directly it will because pls accept (terima) this love (kasih))Note that the word kasih has a distinctive meaning in our language..... basically for us Malays... we always appreciate those who has done a good deed for us.. that why the word terima kasih is used when we want to thank someone.... and that's why we will reply as sama sama or some of us like to add the kasih (sama-sama kasih)at the end of the sama-sama which brings the same meaning also which is same to you too.... I want to congratulate the author for this magnificent blog... keep posting ya...
Hi! It's my first time here in your very informative blog. I learned a lot of things.This particular thread is very interesting! I am a Filipino that's why I can respond to Filipino related topics only but I am open to other countries in SEA. MARAMING SALAMAT PO! for helping those people who wants to learn something. Anyway, the word SALAMAT is from the Arabic word SALAM which means PEACE. As you say SALAMAT, you are not just saying THANK YOU but also PEACE BE WITH YOU! 1 word, 2 implication.
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