Formal:
* สวัสดีค่ะ (Sa-wat-dee kha): This is the most common and polite greeting for women. It's appropriate for all situations, even with strangers.
Informal:
* สวัสดี (Sa-wat-dee): This is a more casual greeting, suitable for friends and family. You can also add "จ๊ะ (ja)" to make it even more informal.
* หวัดดี (Wàt-dee): This is a very casual greeting used among close friends and family.
Other options:
* ยินดีที่ได้รู้จัก (Yin-dee-thee-dai-roo-jak): This means "Nice to meet you" and is appropriate for a formal introduction.
* ดีใจที่ได้เจอ (Dee-jai-thee-dai-jơ): This means "I'm glad to see you" and is appropriate for informal introductions.
Important note: Thai language uses honorifics, which means the choice of words depends on the relative status of the speaker and the listener. In general, it's always best to use the most formal greeting unless you are certain that a more casual greeting is appropriate.
Tips for pronouncing Thai:
* Tone: Thai is a tonal language, meaning the pitch of your voice can change the meaning of a word. It's best to listen to a native speaker to get the correct tones.
* Consonants: Some Thai consonants are pronounced differently than in English. For example, the "th" sound in "Thai" is pronounced like the "th" in "thin" rather than "the".
* Vowels: Thai vowel sounds can be tricky for English speakers. Listen carefully to how they are pronounced by native speakers.
Remember, practicing and getting feedback is key to mastering any language. Good luck!