Recently, a girl I know asked if she could have a cigarette. I said without thinking, "Help yourself", translating it literally into Thai. It was already out of my mouth before I realised what I had said .

I know it's not too big a thing, and should be understood in the context, but I'm sure that there must be a correct way to say "Help yourself"

Would it be better to simply say...

เชิญ chern invite, please do, etc

Any other ways to say it?

Thanks

nope ... that is the most common useful way to say it

เชิญ is the best alternative. You can add ตามสบาย after it too, if you like.

เชิญตามสบาย

Meadish, would this translate to " Please help yourself" in the situation in my OP? I just want to be sure.

I would use this in a situation such as somebody enters my home as

เชิญ นั่งลง ตามสบาย

Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.

Thanks

Recently, a girl I know asked if she could have a cigarette. I said without thinking, "Help yourself", translating it literally into Thai. It was already out of my mouth before I realised what I had said .

So - come on, enquiring minds want to know!

What exactly did you say?

Patrick

ได้สิ หรือ เอาเลย would sound more natural.

So - come on, enquiring minds want to know!

What exactly did you say?

I would guess ช่วยตัวเอง , since it is a euphemism for 'masturbate'.

Recently, a girl I know asked if she could have a cigarette. I said without thinking, "Help yourself", translating it literally into Thai. It was already out of my mouth before I realised what I had said .

So - come on, enquiring minds want to know!

What exactly did you say?

Patrick

Nearest translation would be:

Relieve yourself

i.e.

Relating to masturbation

EDDIT

Meadish

You type quicker than I

Edited February 4, 200719 yr by IvanLaw

So - come on, enquiring minds want to know!

What exactly did you say?

I would guess ช่วยตัวเอง , since it is a euphemism for 'masturbate'.

Yes, that's what I said!

ได้สิ หรือ เอาเลย would sound more natural.

Is this one phrase or is it meant to read

You can use ได้สิ OR you can say เอาเลย

Sorry if I'm a bit thick at times!

Up in the north we say Thaam sabaii meaning help yourself.

Not aware of any rude connotation

So - come on, enquiring minds want to know!

What exactly did you say?

I would guess ช่วยตัวเอง , since it is a euphemism for 'masturbate'.

Yes, that's what I said!

ได้สิ หรือ เอาเลย would sound more natural.

Is this one phrase or is it meant to read

You can use ได้สิ OR you can say เอาเลย

Sorry if I'm a bit thick at times!

It's an OR.

But you can say: ได้สิ เอาเลย as well: 'Sure! Just take one!'. This is more informal than เชิญ ตามสบาย - so it depends on the relation you have to the person, and also what relation you want to establish by using this kind of language. I might use that with friends, but not with people who I am not so close to.

Recently, a girl I know asked if she could have a cigarette. I said without thinking, "Help yourself", translating it literally into Thai. It was already out of my mouth before I realised what I had said .

I know it's not too big a thing, and should be understood in the context, but I'm sure that there must be a correct way to say "Help yourself"

Would it be better to simply say...

เชิญ chern invite, please do, etc

Any other ways to say it?

Thanks

In this situation, I would say "เชิญเลยครับ" or "ตามสบายครับ" to mean "Help yourself". Or you can simply say เชิญ . It depends on who you are talking with.