Are you thinking of traveling and staying in Laos? If you are, then learning the basic accommodation vocabulary in Lao will prove to be useful for you. Learn the basic expressions and words like “How much is the room?/ ຫ້ອງເທົ່າໃດ? or hong theoadai” and “Baggage/ກະເປົາ or kapao” will certainly make your travel hassle-free. So if you are ready to learn more, keep reading below!
Traveling has always been one of the best experiences you can give yourself. If you are interested in going to Laos, you should arm yourself with knowledge of their native language. While it is totally impossible to learn their language overnight, you can use certain applications like the Ling App. Learn more about its features here.
Accommodation Vocabulary In Lao
English | Lao | Lao Script |
Baggage | kapao | ກະເປົາ |
Booked | chong aelv | ຈອງແລ້ວ |
Check-in | sek in | ຈອງແລ້ວ |
Check-out | kuadboeng | ກວດເບິ່ງ |
Deposit | fak | ຝາກ |
Floor | san | ຊັ້ນ |
Front Desk | to na | ໂຕະໜ້າ |
Guest | aekhk | ແຂກ |
Hostel | hophak | ຫໍພັກ |
Hotel | ohngaehm | ໂຮງແຮມ |
Hotel manager | phuchadkan ohngaehm | ຜູ້ຈັດການໂຮງແຮມ |
Housekeeping | kanhaksa heuon | ການຮັກສາເຮືອນ |
Linen | pha pan | ຜ້າປ່ານ |
Pillow | mon | ໝອນ |
Price | lakha | ລາຄາ |
Reservation | kan chong | ການຈອງ |
Towel | pha sed tua | ຜ້າເຊັດຕົວ |
Vacancy | vang | ຫວ່າງ |
The Hotel Industry In Lao
Over recent years, the story of the hotel industry in Lao speaks to the larger improvements in the Lao economy. With massive Chinese investment, the Lao economy is going from strength to strength. For evidence, look no further than the statement by Hilton hotels which announced that they are opening a 188-room hotel in 2022.
The announcement by the Hilton group is part of a broader move by world-renowned hotels chains. In recent years, some big businesses that have joined the Lao party have been the Avani Group(in Luang Prabang) and InterContinental (in Vientiane). Unfortunately, it goes without saying that some of these openings have been affected by the coronavirus.
The hotel industry is key to the Lao economy because tourism is vital. Let’s take a closer look.
Is Tourism Important In Laos?
In a word: yes. Tourism currently provides 114,000 jobs in Laos. When the industry recovers from coronavirus, that number is expected to grow to 130,000 by the end of the decade. Some experts take that number up to 400,000 when including all tourism-related services. In dollar terms, tourism put $2 billion into the coffers of the Laos treasury, which equals 14% of GDP.
In all corners of the world, tourism is a controversial issue. In places like Venice, Italy, there is an all-out war between locals and tourists. The biggest problem with tourism is often environmental damage. Again, to go back to Venice as an example, as soon as all the tourist boats halted during the coronavirus, marine life returned to the canals. The biggest issue in places like Laos has increased levels of waste. Already certain resorts, particularly in mountainous areas, are having large sewage and waste disposal problems.
Overall, however, I think it’s undeniably a good thing. Laos has seen great improvements in roads, restaurants, and airport facilities that everyone can use.
Tourism Initiative
In 2018 the Lao government announced ‘Visit Laos Year.’ This initiative went hand in hand with a general infrastructure improvement, including airports and public transport. The great thing about getting a lot of large hotel brands to set up shop in your country is that competition arises. As the old saying goes: a rising tide lifts all boats.
As time moves on in Vientiane, the competition gets stiffer and stiffer. Before the pandemic, there were 300 hotels and guesthouses in Vientiane. It will be interesting to see that number in 2022 and onwards.
Learn Lao With Ling
Ling prides itself on offering a solid foundation in Lao phrases. Let’s face it, most people new to the language want to know basic Lao phrases, and Ling is excellent for that.
Our basic course includes everything you might need to know, such as:
- Where is the toilet? Hong nam yu sai ຫ້ອງນໍາ້ຢູ່ໃສ
- Can you lower the price? Lud dai baw? ເຈົ້າສາມາດຫຼຸດລາຄາໄດ້
- Do you Understand? Jao khao jai baw ເຈົ້າເຂົ້າໃຈບໍ່
- How much does this cost? laka tao dai ນີ້ລາຄາເທົ່າໃດ
In the English speaking world, we have this idea that to speak English in modern life is enough; however, my personal experience tells me that even speaking a few basic words in a new language as well as knowing some basic information about the Lao culture will improve your day to day life and interpersonal relationships.
Visiting Laos was one of the best experiences, and I would highly recommend it to anyone with an adventurous spirit.
So what makes the Ling App by Simya Solutions so good? Users comment that the best thing about the app is the listening practice. Native speakers record all our audio so you can be assured the accent you pick up is authentic. Native speakers also record our SRS flashcards with audio.
Another feature is the chatbot that uses an A. I algorithm so you can practice natural speech. It isn’t as good as the real thing, but it’s certainly as close as you’ll get. As a side note, I’d recommend keeping an eye on Ling Live at the moment. The Ling Live is one of the latest platforms that connect Thai learners with Thai tutors, but it could be broadened out to Lao in the future.
But for me, the best thing is the sense of community that you feel when you’re a part of the Ling world. You can compare yourself to other users, join the Reddit community, and find a language buddy!
After learning some useful accommodation vocabulary in Lao, I’m sure you want more. If you enjoyed this blog, check out some others making waves recently, including relationship vocabulary in Lao and vegetables in Lao.
Learn the Lao language now.
Tham Keo! Cheers