Signification
Asking for time to check or consider something.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a key part of 'Kreng Jai'. It allows you to avoid saying 'no' directly, which is considered rude in many Thai social circles. In business, this phrase can be a 'stalling tactic' to wait for a better offer or to consult with a higher-up without admitting you don't have the authority. Vendors expect this phrase. It's part of the 'dance' of bargaining. It doesn't offend them; it just means the negotiation is still open. If a Thai person says this repeatedly to your requests for a date, it is almost certainly a polite 'no'.
The 'Soft No' Masterclass
If you want to decline an invitation politely, say 'ขอดูก่อนนะ' and then follow up with a vague reason like 'ช่วงนี้งานเยอะ' (Work is a lot lately).
Don't forget the 'Na'!
Without the 'นะ', you sound like you are ordering someone to let you see something. It's the difference between 'Let me see, please' and 'Let me see!'
Signification
Asking for time to check or consider something.
The 'Soft No' Masterclass
If you want to decline an invitation politely, say 'ขอดูก่อนนะ' and then follow up with a vague reason like 'ช่วงนี้งานเยอะ' (Work is a lot lately).
Don't forget the 'Na'!
Without the 'นะ', you sound like you are ordering someone to let you see something. It's the difference between 'Let me see, please' and 'Let me see!'
Gender Particles
Remember to use 'ครับ' (khrap) if you identify as male and 'ค่ะ' (kha) if you identify as female for extra politeness.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to make the phrase polite.
ขอ___ก่อนนะ
The standard phrase for 'Let me see' is 'ขอดูก่อนนะ'.
Which response is the most polite way to say 'maybe' to a friend?
Friend: 'ไปเที่ยวกันไหม?' (Want to go out?)
'ขอดูก่อนนะ' is the most polite way to hesitate or say maybe.
Complete the dialogue in a shopping context.
Seller: 'เสื้อตัวนี้สวยมากครับ' (This shirt is beautiful.) You: '________' (Let me see first.)
Depending on your gender and the level of formality, all these are correct.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are at a market and want to check the quality of a fruit.
You use 'ดู' (see/look) to check physical quality.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesขอ___ก่อนนะ
The standard phrase for 'Let me see' is 'ขอดูก่อนนะ'.
Friend: 'ไปเที่ยวกันไหม?' (Want to go out?)
'ขอดูก่อนนะ' is the most polite way to hesitate or say maybe.
Seller: 'เสื้อตัวนี้สวยมากครับ' (This shirt is beautiful.) You: '________' (Let me see first.)
Depending on your gender and the level of formality, all these are correct.
Situation: You are at a market and want to check the quality of a fruit.
You use 'ดู' (see/look) to check physical quality.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's actually the opposite! It's a very polite way to hesitate. It's much more polite than saying 'No' immediately.
Yes, but you must change 'นะ' to 'ครับ' or 'ค่ะ'. Say 'ขอดูก่อนนะครับ' instead.
You can still use it! It just means 'Let me look at it first (before I do anything else)'.
Not always. Sometimes it literally means you need to check something, like your bank balance or a physical item.
Use 'ขอคิดดูก่อนนะ' (Kho khit du kon na).
Close friends might just say 'ดูก่อน' (Du kon), but it's very casual.
To save 'face' and maintain social harmony (Kreng Jai).
Yes, it's very common in LINE or Messenger chats.
'นะ' is a general softener; 'หน่อย' makes it sound more like a small favor. 'ขอดูก่อนหน่อยนะ' is also very common.
Rarely. In formal writing, you would use 'ขอพิจารณาก่อน' (Let me consider it first).
Expressions liées
ขอคิดดูก่อนนะ
similarLet me think about it first.
เดี๋ยวก่อน
similarWait a minute.
ขอเช็คก่อนนะ
specialized formLet me check first.
เอาไว้ก่อน
contrastPut it off for now / Not yet.
