khrap

Khrap, written as ครับ in Thai, is a sentence-ending particle used to convey politeness, respect, and formality in spoken Thai. It is primarily used by male speakers and is typically added at the end of statements, questions, or commands. The feminine counterpart is kha (ค่ะ). The particle itself does not add lexical meaning to the sentence; instead, it signals social relations and politeness.

In usage, khrap appears in everyday conversation, customer service, and formal contexts to maintain a courteous tone. It is common in greetings such as Sawasdee krub (สวัสดีครับ) and in expressions of thanks like Khob khun krub (ขอบคุณครับ). It can also soften requests or imperatives, contributing to a respectful interaction style without altering the core content.

Notes on social function: Thai has a system of politeness markers, and khrap is one gendered option within that system. Its use depends on the speaker’s sex and the social context; in informal settings among peers, some men may omit it, while in public, service interactions, or with unfamiliar or older interlocutors, including khrap is standard. Though more common in spoken Thai, khrap is still noticeable in formal spoken registers and can appear in media and signage where a respectful tone is desired.