How to best translate this phrase

[Stan42]

I'm fluent in both English and Thai but for the life of me can't come up with a good translation for:

Kreng Jai

[Costas2008]

Don't want to bother or disturb you.

or

Am afraid to bother or disturb you.

Edited March 29, 2015 by Costas2008

[CMBob]

Based on what I've read, it's really not easily translatable into English. It's a concept somewhat relating to not wanting to offend or disturb somebody else. A literal translation of the two words simply won't help you.

If it's the concept you're trying to understand, then simply google "greng jai" and you'll find a lot of comments about it. If you get to the point of somewhat understanding it, consider that a victory.

[tifino]

kik yat

[Stan42]

Don't want to bother or disturb you.

or

Am afraid to bother or disturb you.

That's the best I could come up with too, yet if you retranslate I don't want to bother/disturb you, you get mai yak robb gruan.

[manarak]

Don't want to bother or disturb you.

or

Am afraid to bother or disturb you.

That's the best I could come up with too, yet if you retranslate I don't want to bother/disturb you, you get mai yak robb gruan.

As I understand it, there is also an idea of respect and obedience - I'd say "deference" is pretty close

[Saastrajaa]

Not translatable into English (unless you go into a several sentence explanation to do so) because we don't have the concept in the West. One of the things the Thais are way better at than us (showing respect/consideration in human relationships). We're too focused on "stick up for yourself/don't let anyone push you around/be your own person" bullshit. Easily translatable into languages such as Khmer, which have the exact same concept.

[Neeranam]

Thoughtfulness, which in the West is shown by being considerate to others, whereas in Thailand is shown by not doing anything about the thoughtlessness of others.

[Neeranam]

Don't want to bother or disturb you.

or

Am afraid to bother or disturb you.

That's the best I could come up with too, yet if you retranslate I don't want to bother/disturb you, you get mai yak robb gruan.

If you are fluent why not write it in Thai?

[Neeranam]

Don't want to bother or disturb you.

or

Am afraid to bother or disturb you.

That's the best I could come up with too, yet if you retranslate I don't want to bother/disturb you, you get mai yak robb gruan.

As I understand it, there is also an idea of respect and obedience - I'd say "deference" is pretty close

I don't think respect is an ingredient of "greng jai". Perhaps, "the fear of causing someone to lose face" is better?

I think the word obeisance is useful but not many English speakers know what it means.