คะ
[polite question ending; female speech]
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 [polite question ending; female speech]、[polite softening ending; female speech]、excuse me [polite address; female speech]
- 2 Yes? [polite response; female speech]、Pardon? [polite; female speech]、What was that? [polite; female speech]
A polite ending used mainly in female or feminine speech, especially for questions, calls to someone, and gentle requests or suggestions. It softens the utterance and shows respect toward the listener.
[polite question ending; female speech]、[polite softening ending; female speech]、excuse me [polite address; female speech]
Used at the end of questions, forms of address, requests, invitations, or suggestions to make them polite and gentle in female or feminine speech.
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สบายดีไหมคะ sabaay dii mǎy khá How are you? สบายดีไหมคะ details
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คุณชื่ออะไรคะ khun chʉ̂ʉ aray khá What is your name? คุณชื่ออะไรคะ details
Show more (2)
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พี่คะ phîi khá Excuse me. พี่คะ details
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รอสักครู่นะคะ rɔɔ sàk khrûu ná khá Please wait a moment. รอสักครู่นะคะ details
Yes? [polite response; female speech]、Pardon? [polite; female speech]、What was that? [polite; female speech]
Used by itself as a polite response when being called, or as a polite way to ask someone to repeat or clarify something.
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คะ? khá Yes? / Pardon? คะ? details
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อะไรนะคะ aray ná khá What was that? อะไรนะคะ details
Learning notes
Explanation
คะ does not change the core meaning of a sentence much; it adds politeness, softness, and direct attention to the listener. It is commonly used by women or in feminine speech. Its most typical use is at the end of questions, as in ไหมคะ, อะไรคะ, and ที่ไหนคะ. It is also used when politely calling someone, such as พี่คะ or คุณครูคะ. In the pattern นะคะ, it often softens requests, instructions, suggestions, and service phrases.
Usage
It is common in everyday conversation, customer service, phone calls, school, workplaces, and first meetings. You will hear it when a female speaker asks a customer a question, addresses a teacher or senior person, or politely asks someone to repeat something.
Caution
Be careful not to confuse คะ with ค่ะ. คะ is used mainly in questions, calling someone, or asking back, while ค่ะ is mainly used in statements and replies. In masculine speech, ครับ is normally used instead.
Differences from similar words
1 [polite question ending; female speech] synonyms
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ขา sounds sweeter or more affectionate, especially in calling or responding. คะ is the more standard polite ending and is widely used in questions and polite speech.
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ครับ is the polite ending used in male or masculine speech. คะ is used in female or feminine speech.
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ค่ะ is also a polite ending in female speech, but it is mainly used for statements and replies. คะ is used mainly for questions, calling someone, or asking back.