ask to speak to (someone) on the phone
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 ask to speak to (someone) on the phone、ask to be connected to (a person or department)
This expression is used on the phone to ask to be connected to a particular person or department.
ask to speak to (someone) on the phone、ask to be connected to (a person or department)
Used on the phone to ask the person answering to connect you with someone or a department.
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ขอสายคุณสมชายครับ khɔ̌ɔ sǎay khun sǒmchaay khráp May I speak to Khun Somchai, please? ขอสายคุณสมชายครับ details
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ขอสายฝ่ายบัญชีหน่อยค่ะ khɔ̌ɔ sǎay fàay banchii nɔ̀ɔy khà Could you connect me to the accounting department, please? ขอสายฝ่ายบัญชีหน่อยค่ะ details
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ไม่ทราบว่าขอสายใครคะ mây sâap wâa khɔ̌ɔ sǎay khray khá Whom would you like to speak to? ไม่ทราบว่าขอสายใครคะ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The expression consists of ขอ, “to ask for,” and สาย, which refers here to a telephone line or connection. Its basic pattern is ขอสาย followed by a person’s name, title, or department. Adding ครับ or ค่ะ makes it suitably polite for business calls. หน่อย or ได้ไหม can make the request sound softer. A phrase such as ขอสายชาร์จ, “ask for a charging cable,” is an ordinary combination of ขอ and the noun สายชาร์จ, not this set telephone expression.
Usage
It is commonly used when calling a company, hotel, hospital, or store and asking the receptionist or operator to transfer the call to a particular person or department. It can also be used when asking for another member of a household to come to the phone.
Caution
This expression does not ask for someone’s phone number. To request a number, use a phrase such as ขอเบอร์โทรศัพท์หน่อย. Normally, ขอสาย is followed by the person or department you want to speak with.