So, are you ready for some Lao language that will make your taste buds dance the tango while you eat outside? Great! Just grab your bag, and we are going to explore the 15 essential Lao words for picnic or ກິນເຂົ້າປ່າ (kinkhao pa) that will convert your future outdoor meals into a food festival. Believe me, you’ll want this screenshot for yourself later on.
Lao Words For Picnic Words
Food – ອາຫານ (Ahan)
In the social setup of Laos, ‘Ahan’ (food) means more than just survival; it is a symbol of togetherness and a focal point for any communal event, including the much-loved picnic. Basically, there is a deeply rooted perception that eating with hands enables diners to feel comfortable during the meal and to experience its flavors fully, as well as foster close bonding.
- Lao: “ຂ້ອຍມັກອາຫານລາວ.”
- Pronunciation: “Khoi mak ahan lao.”
- “I enjoy Lao food.”
Plates – ຈານ (Chan)
In Laos, the term ‘chan’ is used to refer to plates. When eating traditional Lao meals, each person has their own ‘chan’ which they use for holding scoops of food from the shared bowls at the table, making the dining experience more communal; it is a tradition that stresses moderation and sharing. As people eat, they continue taking foods as well as refilling their dishes with other forms of meals on the table such as ‘Tam Mak Hoong’ (spicy papaya salad) or ‘Ping Kai’ (grilled chicken).
- Lao: “ຂ້ອຍມັກຈານສະອາດ.”
- Pronunciation: “Khoi mak chan sa-at.”
- “I like clean plates.”
Basket – ກະຕ່າ (Kata)
A ‘Kata’ is a basket made of intricately woven bamboo and rattan, which serves as both a utility item and a Laotian cultural symbol. It can be used during traditional picnics, and it is now nature-friendly since it is made of natural materials like bamboo. These baskets are like the ones used to carry different types of food, such as ‘Tam Mak Hoong’ (spicy papaya salad), which brings together the core Lao tastes of sweet, sour, spicy, and umami. They also often hold ‘Ping Pa’ (grilled fish) in banana leaves that are taste-sealed during cooking.
- Lao: “ກະຕ່າມີອາຫານ.”
- Pronunciation: “Kata mi ahan.”
- “Basket holds our meal.”
Lunch – ອາຫານທ່ຽງ (Ahan Thiang)
For a family picnic, ‘Ahan Thiang’ might be a simple yet satisfying affair with ‘Mok Pa’—fish delicately steamed within banana leaves, a cooking technique that imparts a subtle aroma and keeps the fish succulent. Accompanying this are fresh, crisp vegetables, often served raw or lightly blanched, to contrast the richness of the fish.
- Lao: “ເຮົາກິນອາຫານທ່ຽງນີ້.”
- Pronunciation: “Hao kin ahan thiang nee.”
- “We ate lunch together.”
Cups – ຈອກ (Chok)
Chok is the Laotian word for cup, and in Laos’ warm tropical climate, are indispensable accompaniments to any meal or meeting, especially on a lazy day in the park. These containers are regularly filled with drinks that slake thirst and relieve from the heat.
Want something authentic to drink? “Beerlao,” which is preferred over other beers in the country, has a light/crisp taste that pairs well with Lao cuisine’s rich flavors. An alternative choice of beverage could be Nam Mak Nao which is tangy and sweet limeade that freshens one’s mouth with a citrusy bite instead of alcohol.
- Lao: “ເຕັມຈອກດ້ວຍນ້ຳ.”
- Pronunciation: “Tem chok duay nam.”
- “Fill up the cups.”
Napkins – ຜ້າເຊັດປາກ (Pha Sed Mu)
‘Pha Sed Mu’, the Lao term for napkins, are a staple at any dining table, reflecting the importance of cleanliness and etiquette in Lao culture. In a cuisine where the tactile pleasure of eating with one’s hands is celebrated, particularly with sticky rice—the staple that one rolls into balls and dips into sauces—napkins become an essential part of the meal.
- Lao: “ສົ່ງຜ້າເຊັດປາກ.”
- Pronunciation: “Song pha sed pak.”
- “Pass the cloth napkins.”
Barbecue – ບາບີຄິວ (Ba Bi Khiv)
It is not uncommon to see this flame-roasting spree in local markets and homes where the ‘Ping Kai’ (grilled chicken) and ‘Sai Oua’(Lao sausage) smoke over the charcoal, leaving those eagerly waiting with their cups of ‘Beerlao’.
- Lao: “ຂ້ອຍມັກບາບີຄິວ.”
- Pronunciation: “Khoi mak ba bi khiv.”
- “Loved the tasty barbecue.”
Outside – ພາຍນອກ (Phainok)
‘Phainok’ means outside and represents the Lao people’s love for nature and outdoor activities. A picnic ‘phainok’ would typically be by the Mekong River or in one of the country’s beautiful ‘Suan Sathalana’ (parks). Here, you can see groups enjoying ‘sin dat’ (Lao-style barbecue) and playing ‘Petanque’, a popular game similar to lawn bowls in Laos.
- Lao: “ລູກຫຼິ້ນພາຍນອກ.”
- Pronunciation: “Look lin phai nok.”
- “Kids play outside happily.”
Blanket – ຜ້າຫົ່ມ (Phahom)
A ‘Phahom’ is the blanket you spread out on the ground. It’s a symbol of relaxation where families sit to enjoy their ‘ahan thiang’, usually a woven mat in Laos, rather than a fabric blanket.
- Lao: “ກະດູແຜ່ຜ້າຫົ່ມ.”
- Pronunciation: “Ka doo pae phahom.”
- “Lay the picnic blanket.”
Summer – ລະດູຮ້ອນ (Laduhon)
During the summer, when people have enough time to enjoy the sun and do nothing but relax, families meet together and have a long picnic. You can find many people in parks or at beaches eating types of fruits such as Mak Mai (fruits) like mangoes and rambutans.
- Lao: “ລະດູຮ້ອນມີຄວາມສຸກ.”
- Pronunciation: “Laduhon mi kuam suk.”
- “Summer brings much joy.”
Utensils – ເຄື່ອງໃຊ້ສອຍ (Kheuong Saisony)
Utensils or ‘Kheuong Saisony’ include items like spoons and forks, but in Laos, your hands are your primary utensil, particularly when eating sticky rice, which is the staple of every meal, including picnics.
- Lao: “ເອົາເຄື່ອງໃຊ້ສອຍ.”
- Pronunciation: “Ao kheuang sai sony.”
- “Bring some eating utensils.”
Sandwich – ແຊນວິດ (Aesn Vid)
While ‘Aesn Vid’, or sandwiches, are not traditionally Lao, they represent the influence of French cuisine in Laos. A Lao-style ‘aesn vid’ might include ‘pate’ and local vegetables on a baguette, reflecting the country’s colonial past.
- Lao: “ຂ້ອຍສ້າງແຊນວິດ.”
- Pronunciation: “Khoi sang aesn vid.”
- “I made ham sandwiches.”
Fruits – ໝາກໄມ້ (Makmai)
‘Makmai’ are the fruits often enjoyed as a sweet treat at the end of a meal or picnic. In Laos, you might enjoy ‘Mak Mai Thang’, seasonal fruits like bananas, pineapples, and the much-loved durian.
- Lao: “ໝາກໄມ້ຫວານແຫລວ.”
- Pronunciation: “Mak mai wan laew.”
- “Fruits taste really sweet.”
Learn Lao Words & Phrases With Ling
This is it, folks! A smorgasbord for your senses and a primer on Lao language. So, next time you’re out sunning yourself, throw these words around and wait for the look on friends’ faces as they take every bite.
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