“mâi bpen rai” is an idiomatic expression meaning never mind, don’t worry about it, it doesn’t matter. We can use “mâi bpen rai” to response to “Thank you”, when it means you’re welcome and to response to “Sorry”, when it means it doesn’t matter.
For example,
Thank you : kòrp-kun kâ / kráp response : mâi bpen rai kâ / kráp
Sorry : kǒr-tôht kâ / kráp response : mâi bpen rai kâ / kráp
Moreover, “mâi bpen rai” is able to use if you want to say “no, thank you” indirectly when somebody offers you something and you do not want it. Sometimes, Thais are worried that they could hurt the others feeling if they said “no” directly so they avoid by saying “mâi bpen rai”
For example,
A : kun ao gaa-fae mái? Do you want coffee?
B : mâi bpen rai kâ (kòrp-kun kâ). No, thank you.
Huh? You would like to give me some snacks? Mâi bpen rai kâ! ^_^
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Jang
Thai Language Hut
