ค่ะ
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See also: คะ
Thai[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From ข้า (kâa, “servant, I/me”) in พระเจ้าข้า (“lit. my lord”) or เจ้าข้า (jâo-kâa, “lit. my lord”). Compare with other Tai languages in which a self-deprecating pronoun literally meaning "servant" or "slave" can be used as a polite particle and/or to say "yes" such as Lao ຂ້ານ້ອຍ (khān ʼa nya), Lü ᦃᦾᧉ (ẋoay²), Khün ᨡ᩶ᩣ, and Shan ၶႃႈ (khāa). Also compare with Northern Thai ᨧᩮᩢ᩶ᩣ (“lord, you”) which has the opposite meaning of ᨡ᩶ᩣ (“servant, I/me”), a cognate of ข้า (kâa), and can be used as a polite particle or to say "yes."
Pronunciation[edit]
| Orthographic | ค่ะ g ˋ a | ||
| Phonemic | ค่ะ g ˋ a | ขะ kʰ a | |
| Romanization | Paiboon | kâ | kà |
| Royal Institute | kha | kha | |
| (standard) IPA(key) | /kʰaʔ˥˩/(R) | /kʰaʔ˨˩/(R) | |
Interjection[edit]
ค่ะ • (kâ)
- (formerly used by noblemen, now often employed by women) used to express affirmation, agreement, or acknowledgment.
- (formerly used by noblemen, now often employed by women) used to express annoyance or frustration.
Particle[edit]
ค่ะ • (kâ)
- (formerly used by noblemen, now often employed by women) used at the end of an indicative expression, request, or wish.