Thai for Kids
How to Say "Excuse me" in Thai
A polite way to get someone's attention or pass through a crowd.
In Thai (ไทย)
ขอโทษ (Khor thot)
Pronounced: kor TOHT
What “Excuse me” means and when to use it
The listed Thai expression in this lesson is “ขอโทษ (Khor thot).” Its beginner pronunciation approximation is “kor TOHT.” A polite way to get someone's attention or pass through a crowd. The approximation is a reading scaffold, not a replacement for the native writing or for listening to a speaker whose variety you are learning.
Use this to get attention politely, pass through a crowded space, interrupt for an important reason, or acknowledge a minor accidental contact. Languages often use different expressions for these functions, and a listed translation may fit some scenes better than others. Begin with the neutral attention-getting scene described here. Say it before the interruption, then wait for acknowledgment. For actual harm, the separately listed sorry phrase may be more appropriate than treating excuse me as a complete apology.
No pushing or forced touch belongs in the role-play. Ideas about interruption and personal space vary, so focus on waiting and observing the response.
Thai pronunciation workshop
Thai is tonal, with five tones, and tone depends on consonant class, vowel length, syllable ending, and tone marks. English approximations cannot reliably encode that system. Vowel length can also change meaning. Thai script runs left to right but vowel symbols may appear before, above, below, or after the consonant they accompany. Final consonants are short and unreleased. Use the parenthesized support as a first step while treating a trusted speaker or dictionary audio as the better model for tone.
Now apply those sound ideas specifically to “ขอโทษ (Khor thot).” Read the native form first, then use “kor TOHT” to locate the broad sound sequence and emphasized syllable. Say the entire expression in one comfortable turn. Do not substitute English sounds more strongly merely because a letter looks familiar, and do not erase marks, accents, or characters when copying it.
Give long vowels two beats and short vowels one. Draw a simple line showing the tone movement only when a reliable tone model is available; do not guess from English capitalization. Point to the whole Thai syllable cluster, say it once slowly, and finish final stops without an extra puff or vowel.
Respectful context across Thailand
Thai politeness particles often appear at the end of an utterance and traditionally vary with the speaker's gender, while usage can also reflect identity and personal preference. The wai gesture has context-sensitive levels and is not required in every casual exchange; a respectful verbal response and small nod are suitable for a beginner. Thailand contains many regional languages and varieties. Avoid treating smiles, quietness, or any one etiquette practice as a rule about every Thai person.
This lesson teaches one useful listed translation, not the only wording used by all Thai speakers. Age, relationship, region, and situation can change a speaker's choice. A good learner notices those choices, asks respectfully when appropriate, and accepts correction without arguing that a phrase list must outrank a person's own language experience.
Practice activity: scene, speak, reflect
Mark a wide pretend pathway with paper. Partner A stands safely to one side; Partner B approaches, says the translated excuse-me phrase, and waits. Partner A moves the paper marker to open the path. In another round, Partner B raises a question card, says the phrase, and waits for eye contact before an English question is read. Swap roles. Compare a respectful volume with shouting, and finish by choosing whether three English scenes call for excuse me or sorry.
Use three passes. On pass one, read “ขอโทษ (Khor thot)” while a partner checks every word or character. On pass two, look only at the scene card and retrieve the expression from memory. On pass three, use an English scene prompt and deliver the Thai speaking turn at a natural volume. Afterward, explain in English why the phrase fit that scene. This keeps meaning, respectful behavior, and pronunciation together instead of rewarding speed alone.
A successful attempt is understandable and considerate, not accent-free. Mark one detail you kept consistent—perhaps the stress, a long vowel, a tone direction, a final consonant, or the full word order—and choose one detail for another careful repetition. Stop before practice becomes rushed. Short, attentive rounds build a more reliable memory than saying the phrase many times without listening to yourself or your partner.
Practice dialogue
- Scene prompt (English)
- Learner A needs to ask a librarian a question while the librarian is sorting books.
- Role-play cue (English)
- Learner A waits for a pause and uses the target attention-getting phrase.
- Thai target speaking turn — Learner A
- ขอโทษ (Khor thot)
- Role-play reply/action (English) — Learner B
- Yes, how can I help?
- Thai speaking turn — Learner B
- ใช่ (Chai)
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