How do you respond to "Have you eaten yet?"

[Acharn]

I feel embarrassed asking this, but for some reason it's been bothering me lately. I've lived in Thailand 34 years and use Thai every day. I wish I was better at it but I'm also lazy and only learn new language when I need it. Every so often somebody will greet me and as part of the greeting, ask, "Have you eaten yet?" Now I understand this is what's called a formula, it's not an actual question. Mandarin Chinese has, or used to have, a similar greeting. The thing is I usually respond with something like, "Eaten already." Nobody has ever seemed dissatisfied with this response, but recently I've started wondering if there's a formula response I should be using. I suppose I should ask my niece or her daughter, but feel reluctant for some reason.

[jak2002003]

I just say yes. I think that is what Thai people do... unless they have not eaten and are actually really hungry.. then they will say 'no' and that's a great excuse for everyone to go eat... because we are always looking for an excuse to get more food!!!

[daveAustin]

Yang, for you haven't yet, and kin laew, for you have. Best to go with the default second option or they'll be inviting you around for tea & scones, though it's mostly rhetorical like the Brits asking about the weather.

[Acharn]

Thanks to both of you. I guess I've been doing it right, then.

[Saastrajaa]

Thanks to both of you. I guess I've been doing it right, then.

Answer honestly; ยัง if you haven't already, and กินแล้ว if you already have, as others have said.

The only exception for this is if you show up at someone's house and it's NOT for a pre-agreed-upon dinner invitation. In that case, whether you're starving of hunger or not, you should always answer กินแล้ว...it's a social game. To answer ยัง in this situation puts pressure on the host to feed you, and is considered very uncouth.

Now, they will most likely insist on putting something to eat in front of you anyway, for that is their responsibility as a host. But you should play the game and refuse several times, finally accepting at least a glass of something to drink or a snack (don't worry if you're really hungry, they won't give up!). This is all standard practice throughout Southeast Asia (and probably other places in Asia as well).

[wooloomooloo]

Thais like to share food and obviously concerned for your nutritional welfare. What's not to understand?

Accept the offer and eat what you can. Jeez.

[Acharn]

Well, yeah, I know from past experience there are ppl who hang out here who really know a lot about the Thai language, including native speakers who enjoy helping out farangs. I sometimes feel embarrassed that I don't speak better than I do. It's a long story. For daily affairs, no problem. Going to the doctor, I can usually handle it, and I'm lucky I've got a young pulmonary specialist at the hospital who speaks English very well indeed. But if my nephew asks me (which he did one day) why Japan invaded China, I become all too aware of my deficiencies (at least from that I learned the words for "raw materials"). I know the word for "metals", but not for "coal." Stuff like that. I've had to gain a working knowledge of several languages, and my opinion is that the only way to learn a language is if you have a real need to use it.

[wooloomooloo]

I know very little about Thai language but common sense tells me ...

[Saastrajaa]

Thais like to share food and obviously concerned for your nutritional welfare. What's not to understand?

Accept the offer and eat what you can. Jeez.

Did you even read what I wrote?

[Saastrajaa]

I know very little about Thai language but common sense tells me ...

And you apparently know even less about Thai culture.

[villagefarang]

Rabprathaan (รับประทาน) might be a bit much but I would typically say Than (ทาน) Laew not Kin Laew in polite society.

[wooloomooloo]

I know very little about Thai language but common sense tells me ...

And you apparently know even less about Thai culture.

If you say so.

[Morakot]

Rabprathaan (รับประทาน)

That's very nice! But I'm not sure if the OP is writing a letter or making a speech...

[Puccini]

Rabprathaan (รับประทาน) might be a bit much but I would typically say Than (ทาน) Laew not Kin Laew in polite society.

I would use the same verb that was used in the question. It's like an automatic reflex. I don't think that politeness enters into it. On the contrary, using a more highfalutin verb in my answer would likely give the impression that I consider the person who asked the question to have a low educational standard.

[Maestro]

Removed an off-topic post.

[orpheus454]

Not sure any of these replies get it right.

You should explain in the minutest detail every morsel you've eaten in the last 48 hours.

To do otherwise is quite impolite.

[villagefarang]

Rabprathaan (รับประทาน)

That's very nice! But I'm not sure if the OP is writing a letter or making a speech...

Yes, I was clearly joking about the longer version of the word but the shortened version ทาน was, and still is, used by the vast majority of my friends in Bangkok. Of course it is not so common in this remote northern village where I live now.

[villagefarang]

Rabprathaan (รับประทาน) might be a bit much but I would typically say Than (ทาน) Laew not Kin Laew in polite society.

I would use the same verb that was used in the question. It's like an automatic reflex. I don't think that politeness enters into it. On the contrary, using a more highfalutin verb in my answer would likely give the impression that I consider the person who asked the question to have a low educational standard.

In my experience, Thais don’t run around with a chip on their shoulder, the way some foreigners do, and are not offended by someone being polite or speaking polite Thai, but then again maybe that is just my experience.

[Horatio Poke]

I largely agree with villagefarang but would add "riap roiy laew" (which colloquially translates as "done and dusted" "spic and span") as an alternative polite response. "riap roiy laew" is usually the response that I receive from Thais when I ask the question.

And yes, the question is a completely trivial piece of small talk. Usually nobody is particularly interested in whether you've actually eaten or not.

.......but I would typically say Than (ทาน) Laew......

[bluebluewater]

Not sure any of these replies get it right.

You should explain in the minutest detail every morsel you've eaten in the last 48 hours.

To do otherwise is quite impolite.

AND how much it cost

[villagefarang]

I had completely overlooked that common response. Thanks for bringing it to everyone’s attention. It is nice to see there are those who know and use something other than “kin”.

I largely agree with villagefarang but would add "riap roiy laew" (which colloquially translates as "done and dusted" "spic and span") as an alternative polite response. "riap roiy laew" is usually the response that I receive from Thais when I ask the question.

And yes, the question is a completely trivial piece of small talk. Usually nobody is particularly interested in whether you've actually eaten or not.

.......but I would typically say Than (ทาน) Laew......