المعنى
A polite way to say you lack information.
خلفية ثقافية
In Thai offices, 'Mai Sap' is often used to avoid taking individual responsibility for a lack of information, shifting it to a collective 'not yet informed' status. Saying 'Mai Sap' is more 'face-saving' than 'Mai Ruu' because it sounds like you are a person of high status who simply hasn't been briefed, rather than someone who is ignorant. Thai service staff are trained to never just say 'I don't know.' They will say 'Mai Sap' followed immediately by an offer to find out. Younger Thais are using 'Mai Ruu' more often, but 'Mai Sap' remains the non-negotiable standard when a younger person speaks to an elder.
The 'Muean-kan' Softener
Add 'เหมือนกัน' (muean-kan) to make it 'ไม่ทราบเหมือนกันครับ'. It means 'I don't know either,' which makes you sound more empathetic and less like you're just shutting down the conversation.
The Tone Trap
If you say 'Sap' with a high tone, it sounds like 'Sub' (to chop). Make sure to use the falling tone to be understood!
المعنى
A polite way to say you lack information.
The 'Muean-kan' Softener
Add 'เหมือนกัน' (muean-kan) to make it 'ไม่ทราบเหมือนกันครับ'. It means 'I don't know either,' which makes you sound more empathetic and less like you're just shutting down the conversation.
The Tone Trap
If you say 'Sap' with a high tone, it sounds like 'Sub' (to chop). Make sure to use the falling tone to be understood!
اختبر نفسك
You are talking to your boss. He asks if you've seen the latest report. Which is the most appropriate response?
เจ้านาย: คุณเห็นรายงานล่าสุดหรือยัง?
'ไม่ทราบครับ' is the only option that uses the correct formal verb and the polite male particle.
Fill in the missing formal verb to say 'I don't know.'
ขอโทษครับ ผมไม่_______ครับ
'ทราบ' is the formal verb for 'to know' used in this polite construction.
Match the phrase to the correct person you are speaking to.
1. ไม่รู้อ่ะ 2. ไม่ทราบครับ
Informal phrases are for friends; formal phrases are for authority figures.
Complete the dialogue at a hotel.
Customer: Is there a gym here? Staff: ขออภัยค่ะ ทางเรายัง_______ค่ะ
The staff is politely stating they don't have the information yet.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Mai Ruu vs. Mai Sap
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينเจ้านาย: คุณเห็นรายงานล่าสุดหรือยัง?
'ไม่ทราบครับ' is the only option that uses the correct formal verb and the polite male particle.
ขอโทษครับ ผมไม่_______ครับ
'ทราบ' is the formal verb for 'to know' used in this polite construction.
1. ไม่รู้อ่ะ 2. ไม่ทราบครับ
Informal phrases are for friends; formal phrases are for authority figures.
Customer: Is there a gym here? Staff: ขออภัยค่ะ ทางเรายัง_______ค่ะ
The staff is politely stating they don't have the information yet.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةYou can, but it will sound like you are being intentionally formal or cold. It's better to use 'Mai Ruu'.
No, the 'Mai Sap' part is for everyone. Only the 'Krap' at the end is for men. Women say 'ไม่ทราบค่ะ' (Mai Sap Ka).
'Mai Sap' is formal/polite; 'Mai Ruu' is casual/common. Think of it as 'I am not aware' vs 'I don't know'.
It's a historical spelling from Khmer. In Thai, the 'ทร' combination often results in an 'S' sound.
Yes, it is the perfect phrase for professional emails when you don't have an answer yet.
Not exactly. It means you don't have the information. For 'I don't understand,' use 'Mai Khao Chai'.
It's not 'rude,' but 'ไม่รู้ครับ' (Mai Ruu Krap) is safer. 'ไม่ทราบครับ' is even better if you want to be extra polite.
Say 'ไม่ทราบจริงๆ ครับ' (Mai Sap Jing-Jing Krap).
In very quick interactions, people might just say 'ไม่ทราบค่ะ/ครับ' without a subject.
You can say 'ไม่ทราบมาก่อนครับ' (Mai Sap Ma Kon Krap), meaning 'I didn't know before'.
عبارات ذات صلة
ไม่รู้
synonymI don't know (casual)
ไม่แน่ใจ
similarI'm not sure
รับทราบ
builds onAcknowledged / Understood
แจ้งให้ทราบ
specialized formTo inform / To let you know
