Saying ‘hello’ is the first and most basic lesson you get when learning a new language. And when it comes to saying hello in Lao or Phasaa Lao, learning to say sabaidee carries the potential to open doors to new connections and cultural experiences.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Laos or just want to impress your Lao-speaking friends, a warm ‘Sabaidee!’ will surely do the trick. In this article, we’ll take a quick dive into some essential Lao greetings and get you speaking like a local in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get this language adventure started!
Saying Hello In Lao
Learning basic Lao phrases and greetings is super important because it shows respect and appreciation for the local culture and people. When you bust out a friendly ‘hello’ or ‘thank you’ and speak the local language, it’s like an instant icebreaker that melts away barriers and makes Lao people feel more comfy around you.
Learning to greet someone in their native language, even if it’s just a hello or a good morning, is bound to make their day. It creates an instant connection and warms up people’s hearts. And in no time, you are being welcomed into their homes as well.
Plus, it’s a total game-changer for traveling. Imagine strolling into a foreign country and being able to chat with locals, and get recommendations for the best eats or cool spots to explore. It’s like having a secret weapon against those language barriers! You start to understand how differently the Lao culture expresses itself and see the world in its own unique way. It’s like adding a splash of color to your worldview!
Now, as you know by now, the most common and standard greeting in Lao is sabaidi/ sabaidee/ sa bai dee. In the following section, let’s learn all the other ways to say hello in the Lao language. However, do keep in mind that Lao, like any language, has different greetings for different contexts and times of the day. But using sabaidee will serve you well in most situations!
#1 Sabaidee (ສະບາຍດີ)
This is the most common and standard way to say ‘hello.’ It’s a basic greeting that can be used throughout the day.
#2 Sabaidee Baw/ Bow (ສະບາຍດີບໍ່)
This one is a more formal version of ‘sabaidee‘ that is used to show respect or when addressing elders, like monks or an older man at a bus stop.
#3 Sabaidee Mai (ສະບາຍດີໃຫມ່)
This term is used to inquire about someone’s well-being, i.e., when you want to know if a person is well or doing fine.
#4 Sabaidee Penh Kha (ສະບາຍດີເປັນຄ່າ)
This is a casual way to say ‘hello, dear’ and is used to greet friends in a playful or humorous manner.
#5 Sabaidee Jao (ສະບາຍດີໃຈ)
This is a polite and formal way to say the word ‘hello,’ which translates to ‘good day’ or ‘good morning.’
#6 Seng Hao (ເສັງຮາວ)
This one is an example of a more traditional and less common way to say ‘hello.’
#7 Nyob Zoo (ຍົກພັນ)
This is a term borrowed from the Hmong ethnic community of Laos and is often used by the Hmong people to say ‘hello.’
Responding To Hello
Now that we have learned to say hello in the Lao language, let’s also learn ways to respond to it.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| I am fine, thank you | ຂ້ອຍສະບາຍດີຂອບໃຈ | Khony sabaidee khop jai |
| Have a nice day | ມີມື້ທີ່ດີ | Mi mu thidi |
| Nice to meet you | ຍິນດີທີ່ໄດ້ຮູ້ຈັກ | Nyin di thi dai hu chak |
| I am fine, how are you? | ຂ້ອຍສະບາຍດີ, ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ? | Khony sabaidee chao sabaidee baw? |
Other Basic Lao Phrases
Here are some other basic greetings or terms to help you get by in Laos.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| How are you? | ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ່? | Sabaidee baw? |
| Good afternoon | ສະບາຍດີຕອນສວາຍ | Sabaidee ton suaai |
| Good evening | ສະບາຍດີຕອນແລງ | Sabaidee ton laeng |
| Good night | ໃນຕອນກາງຄືນ ທີ່ດີ | Naitonkangkhun thidi |
| Excuse me | ຂໍໂທດ | Kho thod |
| Do you speak English? | ເຈົ້າເວົ້າພາສາອັງກິດໄດ້ບໍ່? | Chao vao phasa angkid dai bo? |
| Goodbye | ໂຊກດີເດີ້ | Sôhk dii der |
Round Up
So, next time you’re thinking about learning a new language, start with the basics. It’ll take you places you never thought possible, and you’ll make friends from all walks of life. It’s all about spreading good vibes and building connections with local people, and language is the key to unlocking that door!
Once you have got this basic conversation covered, you can then start building upon your vocabulary and phrasebook from here on. You can look up other greetings in Lao, or how to introduce yourself in Lao. And in no time, you will be able to hold conversations around inquiring about time, asking for directions, buying groceries, wishing someone on their birthday, or even asking someone out for a coffee!
Learn Lao With Ling
Now that you have decided to go about learning the basic conversational Lao phrases, why not take it further down the road and kick-start your Lao learning journey with the Ling app?
Ling is one of the fastest-growing language-learning apps, and it offers you courses in 60+ global languages. And yes, it is one of the few apps that let you learn less popular languages like Lao or Khmer. Its gamified approach, user-friendly interface, interactive exercises, bite-sized lessons, and fun quizzes never let you get bored. What’s more, there is an AI chatbot to help develop your speaking skills and improve your pronunciation. That is why the world is choosing to swing towards Ling!
So, without further ado, go to your Play Store or App Store and download the Ling app now!
