Signification
A polite phrase said before eating.
Contexte culturel
In Laos, it is common to invite anyone nearby to eat with you. If you are eating and someone walks by, you might say 'Ma kin khao nam kan!' (Come eat with us!). If they decline, you then say 'Kin khao sep sep' to them as they continue on. The Isan people speak a dialect very similar to Lao and use the same phrase. However, they might use the Thai 'Krap/Ka' particles at the end instead of the Lao 'Der'. In the diaspora, this phrase is a vital link to cultural identity. It is often used in 'Spanglish' style sentences: 'Okay guys, the Larb is ready, kin khao sep sep!' In a business lunch, wait for the highest-ranking person or the host to say 'Kin khao sep sep' or 'Choen' before you start. It is a sign of respect for hierarchy.
The 'Der' Factor
Always add 'der' (ເດີ້) at the end when speaking to friends. It makes you sound 10x more natural and friendly.
Don't be too formal
In a casual setting, using the long Thai-style formal phrases can make things feel awkward. Stick to 'Kin khao sep sep'.
Signification
A polite phrase said before eating.
The 'Der' Factor
Always add 'der' (ເດີ້) at the end when speaking to friends. It makes you sound 10x more natural and friendly.
Don't be too formal
In a casual setting, using the long Thai-style formal phrases can make things feel awkward. Stick to 'Kin khao sep sep'.
The Response
If someone says this to you, the standard response is 'Khop chai' (Thank you) or 'Khop chai, kin khao sep sep khue kan' (Thanks, enjoy your meal too).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the polite wish.
ກິນເຂົ້າ____ໆເດີ້
'ແຊບ' (sep) means delicious. Doubled with the 'ໆ' mark, it creates the phrase 'Enjoy your meal.'
Match the situation to the correct response.
Your Lao friend just served you a bowl of Khao Piak Sen. What should they say to you?
As the host/server, they should wish you a delicious meal.
Which of these is the most polite way to say 'Enjoy your meal' to a group of people?
Choose the best option:
Adding 'Choen' (invite) and 'thuk khon' (everyone) makes it inclusive and polite.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ຂ້ອຍໄປກິນເຂົ້າກ່ອນເດີ້. B: ________.
When someone says they are going to eat, the natural response is to wish them a good meal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to say Kin Khao Sep Sep
Social
- • Friends
- • Family
- • Neighbors
Service
- • Restaurants
- • Street Food
- • Hotels
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesກິນເຂົ້າ____ໆເດີ້
'ແຊບ' (sep) means delicious. Doubled with the 'ໆ' mark, it creates the phrase 'Enjoy your meal.'
Your Lao friend just served you a bowl of Khao Piak Sen. What should they say to you?
As the host/server, they should wish you a delicious meal.
Choose the best option:
Adding 'Choen' (invite) and 'thuk khon' (everyone) makes it inclusive and polite.
A: ຂ້ອຍໄປກິນເຂົ້າກ່ອນເດີ້. B: ________.
When someone says they are going to eat, the natural response is to wish them a good meal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsLiterally yes, but in this phrase, it refers to the entire meal, even if you are eating noodles or bread.
Yes, but add 'Choen' (Invite) at the beginning: 'Choen than kin khao sep sep der'.
Reduplication in Lao makes adjectives more intense and the overall tone softer and more polite.
It doesn't matter! You still say 'Kin khao'. Saying 'Kin pho' (Eat pho) is possible but less common as a set greeting.
In Lao script, it's ແຊບ. Transliteration varies, but 'sep' or 'zaap' both represent the same sound /sɛːp/.
Yes, it's very common for parents to say this to children to encourage them to eat.
You can say 'Kin khao sao sep sep' (Eat breakfast deliciously), but the general 'Kin khao sep sep' works for any time of day.
Ideally before. It's the 'opening' of the meal.
You don't say it to yourself. It's a social phrase.
Yes, in Isan (Northeast Thailand), they say the exact same thing. In Central Thai, they say 'Than hai a-roi'.
Expressions liées
ກິນເຂົ້າແລ້ວບໍ່
similarHave you eaten yet?
ແຊບຫຼາຍ
builds onVery delicious
ມາໆ ກິນເຂົ້ານຳກັນ
similarCome, eat rice together!
ອີ່ມແລ້ວ
contrastI'm full already
