The difference between โปรด (pròht) and กรุณา (gà-rú-naa)

Here is the explanation of the difference between โปรด (pròht) and กรุณา (gà-rú-naa) in English.

Certainly. While both โปรด (pròht) and กรุณา (gà-rú-naa) can be translated as "please" in English, they are not interchangeable in Thai. They carry distinct differences in tone, formality, and the implied relationship between the speaker and the listener.

กรุณา (gà-rú-naa)

This word is derived from Pali/Sanskrit, where it means "kindness," "compassion," or "mercy." Therefore, when you use "กรุณา" to make a request, you are implicitly asking for the listener's kindness or gentle cooperation.

• Tone: Soft, polite, and gentle. It is less formal and more personal than "โปรด".

• Context: It is used for general, everyday requests, asking for help, or seeking cooperation where the speaker is on an equal or sometimes lower footing than the listener.

• Purpose: It is a true "request."

Examples:

• In daily life: "กรุณาช่วยเปิดประตูให้หน่อยได้ไหมครับ" (gà-rú-naa chûay bpèrt bprà-dtoo hâi nòi dâi mái kráp)

  • "Could you please help me open the door?" (A polite request for a favor).

• In public spaces (gentle appeal): "กรุณารักษาความสะอาด" (gà-rú-naa rák-săa kwaam sà-àat)

  • "Please help keep this area clean." (A cooperative request).

• In customer service: "กรุณารอสักครู่นะคะ" (gà-rú-naa raw sàk krôo ná ká)

  • "Please wait a moment." (A polite way to ask a customer to wait).

โปรด (pròht)

The original meaning of this word is "to favor," "to be pleased with," or "to permit." This is evident in Thai royal vocabulary (e.g., "ทรงโปรด" - song pròht, meaning "His/Her Majesty is pleased with..."). Because of this root, when used as "please," it carries a much more formal, firm, and authoritative tone. It functions less like a request and more like a polite but firm instruction or announcement.

• Tone: Formal, firm, serious, and authoritative.

• Context: It is most often used in official announcements, formal instructions, regulations, or warnings where compliance is expected. It is typically used by an organization or an authority figure addressing the public.

• Purpose: It is an "instruction," "announcement," or "warning."

Examples:

• In formal announcements: "โปรดทราบ..." (pròht sâap...)

  • "Please be advised..." or "Attention please..." (A formal way to begin an announcement).

• In warnings: "โปรดระวังของมีค่า" (pròht rá-wang kŏng mee kâa)

  • "Please beware of your valuables." (A serious warning).

• In prohibitions/rules: "โปรดงดสูบบุหรี่" (pròht ngót sòop bù-rèe)

  • "Please refrain from smoking." (This is a firm instruction, stronger than a simple request).

Comparison Table for Clarity

Feature	กรุณา (gà-rú-naa)	โปรด (pròht)
Tone/Feeling	Soft, gentle, asking for cooperation.	Formal, firm, serious.
Usage Level	A Request.	An Instruction, Announcement, or Warning.
Speaker's Status	Equal, or making a personal appeal.	An official entity, an authority figure.
Classic Example	"กรุณารอสักครู่" (Please wait a moment).	"โปรดทราบ" (Please be advised / Attention).
When used in prohibitions	"กรุณาอย่า..." (Sounds like a request not to do something).	"โปรดอย่า..." (Sounds like a clear, firm instruction not to do something).

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Summary

To put it simply:

• Use กรุณา (gà-rú-naa) when you are politely requesting something out of kindness.

• Use โปรด (pròht) when you are formally instructing or announcing something important.