Signification
Asking someone if they have been waiting.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Kreng Jai' means that even if someone has waited an hour, they will likely say 'Mai nan' (Not long). It's a social lie to keep the peace. Traffic is the universal excuse. Asking 'Ro nan mai' is often followed by a complaint about the BTS or a traffic jam on Sukhumvit. In texting, 'รอนานมั้ย' is used when someone takes more than 5-10 minutes to reply to a fast-paced conversation. If you are the host, you should ask this to your guest as soon as you enter the room, even if you are on time, just to acknowledge their presence.
The 'Just Arrived' Rule
Always answer 'Mai nan' (Not long) even if you waited 20 minutes. It's the polite Thai way.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Mai' with a falling tone (ไม่), it means 'No'. If you say it with a rising/high tone (ไหม), it's a question. Don't mix them up!
Signification
Asking someone if they have been waiting.
The 'Just Arrived' Rule
Always answer 'Mai nan' (Not long) even if you waited 20 minutes. It's the polite Thai way.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Mai' with a falling tone (ไม่), it means 'No'. If you say it with a rising/high tone (ไหม), it's a question. Don't mix them up!
The Smile
Always pair 'Ro nan mai' with a small smile (the famous Thai smile) to show sincerity.
Texting Style
When texting, use 'มั้ย' instead of 'ไหม' to look like a local.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct question particle for a female speaker.
รอนานไหม___?
For questions, female speakers use 'คะ' (high tone).
Which phrase is the most natural way to ask a friend if they waited long?
Meeting a close friend at the cinema:
'รอนานมั้ย' is the most natural, casual spoken form.
Complete the dialogue with the most polite response.
A: ขอโทษที่มาสายครับ รอนานไหมครับ? B: ___________
This is the standard polite 'Kreng Jai' response in Thai culture.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are 30 minutes late for a business meeting.
In a formal business setting with significant lateness, a full apology is required.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesรอนานไหม___?
For questions, female speakers use 'คะ' (high tone).
Meeting a close friend at the cinema:
'รอนานมั้ย' is the most natural, casual spoken form.
A: ขอโทษที่มาสายครับ รอนานไหมครับ? B: ___________
This is the standard polite 'Kreng Jai' response in Thai culture.
Situation: You are 30 minutes late for a business meeting.
In a formal business setting with significant lateness, a full apology is required.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, as long as you add 'khrap' or 'kha' at the end. Without them, it's too casual.
'ไหม' is the formal written form. 'มั้ย' is how it's actually pronounced and written in chats.
Yes, it's slightly more formal and means 'Have you been waiting or not?'. It's very common.
Start with 'Kho thot' (Sorry) first, then ask 'Ro nan mai'.
It's called 'Kreng Jai'. They don't want to make you feel guilty.
Close friends might just say 'Nan mai?' or 'Nan yang?'
No, this is only for the person who arrives. If you are waiting, you might text 'Yoo nai laeo?' (Where are you already?)
It can mean 'to wait' or 'to stall'. In some contexts, it's used in 'ro-ruea' (the letter R).
It's a long 'a' sound, like 'father', but with an 'n' at the end. Mid tone.
Yes, it's standard Central Thai, but understood everywhere. In the North, they might say 'Raw nan kor?'.
If the interviewer was waiting for you, yes, but use the most formal version: 'ขออภัยที่ทำให้ต้องรอนานครับ'.
'ไม่นานครับ/ค่ะ' (Not long) or 'เพิ่งมาถึงครับ/ค่ะ' (Just arrived).
Expressions liées
มานานหรือยัง
similarHave you been here long?
ขอโทษที่ให้รอ
builds onSorry for making you wait.
รอแป๊บนะ
contrastWait a sec.
ไม่เป็นไร
similarIt's okay / No problem.
เพิ่งมาถึง
similarJust arrived.
ไปก่อนนะ
contrastI'm going first.
