gwanoy Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 I have heard Thai people greet one another with a term that sounds like "ja aay". I cannot find this expression in any dictionary. I have been told by some that it is unique to northern Thailand but am unsure how true this is. Can anyone comment on this? Also, can you provide me with the Thai spelling? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Sounds like a heart word, jai ai? How's your heart? Doesn't need to make sense in English. Like the Lao thank you khop chai... Take my heart. They're not actually offering you a piece of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Kawp jai is also ordinary Thai. But the language prudes insist you say kawp khun - and reserve kawp jai for children and pheasants. I've lived in the north and my wife's first language is Kham Muang. Never heard such a greeting. p.s. You can download the Peace Corps Northern Thai guide on line for free. Need to google for it. (Not really much use unless you can read Thai.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khunsanuk Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 Hi, "and reserve kawp jai for children and pheasants." You thank birds? Sanuk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 The amnart do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boo Radley Posted September 4, 2011 Report Share Posted September 4, 2011 I have heard Thai people greet one another with a term that sounds like "ja aay"... Maybe it's the central Thai, JA (h) - EH (r ) จ๊ะเà¸à¹‹ - Peekaboo!, Boo!, to meet by chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh_Hoy Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Hi, "and reserve kawp jai for children and pheasants." You thank birds? Sanuk! 555555555555555555 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwanoy Posted September 5, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 That's the best explanation I've received so far. Thanks. Would this greeting be thought to be feminine in nature? I had meant to ask that when I first posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boo Radley Posted September 5, 2011 Report Share Posted September 5, 2011 JA-EH can be used by both males and females. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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