I've heard a dizzying number of English --> Thai translations for the ubiquitous "up to you" response. I hear this from time to time in English from Thai people... So, I have a few questions since this seems to be a hotly-discussed topic with few clear answers. (Maybe I can get lucky and get some clarity that I couldn't find in searching the forums here or Googling it)...
1. How is "up to you" said in (transliterated to English and also Thai script, please) Thai?
2. If I say "where shall we go to eat" and I hear "up to you," is it really true that I am supposed to read the other person's mind and "make the choice" but I'd better "get it right," meaning that I must make the choice that, in theory, I ought to know that the other person _would_ choose?
3. What's the appropriate response to the "up to you" response?
Thanks!
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"Up To You" In Thai
Started by KhunMax, 2012-01-14 03:00
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10 replies to this topic
#2
Cobalt60
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-14 03:12:04
'dtaam jai' is what I get told in response to these sort of questions.
#4
Chaam local
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-14 10:07:45
1. As said above, ตามใจคุณ (tam jai khun) or แล้วแต่คุณ (laew tae khun).
2. You're exactly spot on! Up to you, Thai woman speaking, doesn't mean "up to you", but "up to you to find out what I wish".  3. See 2. 
#7
ludditeman
Super Member Posted 2012-01-14 14:49:20
"Up to you" is a mistaken translation.
"Make a decision you spineless twit" is much nearer the true Thai ladies meaning #8
poanoi
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-14 21:11:01
No, they are already set on a minimum fee, but 'up to U' may well provide a better cash flow.
And if it didn't work out, it will be revealed that it wasn't actually 'up to U' or put another way: -anything above the minimum fee is, but nothing below is #9
KhunMax
Newbie Posted 2012-01-15 00:23:06
Thanks for the very helpful answers, all... I am a little confused by the last comment about fees and minimums... I used the restaurant example because it's a typical scenario for me. I could not care less, honestly, about negotiating with bar girls, freelancers or professionals. If that's your thing then have fun but it's not for me, mate... ;-)
#10
Trembly
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-19 11:28:59
Laew tae khun
or Taam jai, which is a bit more flippant. #11
Gaccha
Senior Member Posted 2012-01-20 17:10:34
... the translation is-- joking aside-- genuinely bad. The 'Laew tae khun' is much closer to the English 'depends on you'.
This is crucial since 'depends on...' does not leave the final matter down to you, but shows you have a sway or influence in how the decision is made. It would be interesting to study the genealogy of 'up to you', as it becoming the 'official' translation in Thai life. |
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