Whether you’re planning a trip to Laos, connecting with Lao-speaking friends, or simply expanding your linguistic horizons, learning a few key phrases that make you sound Lao can go a long way in making you sound like a true Lao native.
In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ve compiled a list of essential phrases that will help you blend right in when you visit Laos. So, let’s get started!
Greetings And Basic Lao Phrases
Start your journey by embracing the warmth of Lao culture through its greetings and basic courtesies. These simple phrases will not only earn you smiles but also help you make friends effortlessly.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | ສະບາຍດີ | Sabaai di | Sah-bye dee |
| Hi | ຂໍ | Khɔ̌ɔ | Khow |
| How are you? | ຂ້ອຍເຮົາ | Khɔ̌ɔ hao | Khow hao |
| Nice to meet you | ຂໍໃຈຕໍ່ພວກ | Khɔ̌ɔ jai dto phuak | Khow jai dto poo-ak |
| I’m fine, thanks | ຂໍເຮົາດີ | Khɔ̌ɔ hao dee | Khow hao dee |
Everyday Conversations
Now that you’ve mastered the basics, let’s dive into some everyday phrases that will make your conversations smooth and enjoyable.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Please | ກະລຸນາ | Ka luenaa | Ka loo-nah |
| I don’t understand | ຂ້ອຍຮູ້ຂອງຄວາມສາມາດ | Khɔ̌ɔ huu khǒng khuam saamad | Khow hoo khong kwaam sah-mud |
| Sorry | ຂໍໂທດ | Khɔ̌ɔ othd | Kho othd |
| How much is this? | ຕອນເງິນອື່ນຮູ້ | Ton ngern uen huu | Ton ngern ooen hoo |
| Thank you | ອະນຸຍາດ | Anuyad | Ah-noo-yaad |
Getting Around
Whether you’re exploring the bustling markets or navigating the scenic streets, these phrases will help you smoothly navigate your way through Laos.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where is the restroom? | ຫ້ອງນ້ຳຢູ່ໃສ? | Hong nam yu sai | Hoong nam yoo-sai |
| Take me there, please | ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າມາ | Khɔ̌ɔ phaajao maa | Khow pha-jao mah |
| Stop here, please | ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າຢາກ | Khɔ̌ɔ phaajao yaak | Khow pha-jao yahk |
| Can you help me? | ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ບໍ່? | Khɔ̌ɔ phaajao dai baw? | Khow pha-jao dai baw? |
| Can you give me directions from here? | ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າໄດ້ເຮັດວຽກຈາກນັ້ນບໍ່? | Khɔ̌ɔ phaajao dai hep wii jaak naan baw? | Khow pha-jao dai hep weey jaak naan baw? |
Making Friends And Socializing
Meeting new people and making friends is an integral part of any journey. These phrases will help you strike up conversations and connect with locals effortlessly.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let’s hang out sometime | ໃຫ້ເຮົາອອກໄປຫຼິ້ນບາງເທື່ອ | Haihao kpai rin bangtheu | Hi – hao k-pai ren- bangtho |
| Can I have your contact information? | ຂ້ອຍສາມາດມີຂໍ້ມູນຕິດຕໍ່ຂອງເຈົ້າໄດ້ບໍ? | Kkhɔ̌ɔ samadmi khomun tidto khongchao daibo? | Khony samadmi khomun tidto khongchao daibo |
| Do you speak English? | ເຈົ້າເວົ້າພາສາອັງກິດໄດ້ບໍ່ | Khɔ̌ɔ phaajao pha saw ang kid daw boa | Chao vao pha sa ang kid dai bo |
| Is this seat taken? | ຕັ່ງນີ້ມີຄົນນັ່ງແລ້ວບໍ? | Tang ni mi khon nang aelv bo? | Tang nee-mee khonnang aelv boo |
Check out Lao pronouns & easy ways to say hello in Lao to get you more involved in your language learning journey!
Savoring Lao Cuisine
Your culinary journey in Laos won’t be complete without indulging in its delectable dishes. These phrases will enhance your dining experience.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| I want to eat | ຂ້ອຍຢາກກິນ | Khɔ̌ɔ yak kin | Khony yaak- kin |
| I want to drink | ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງການດື່ມ | Khɔ̌ɔ tongkan dum | Khoony tong-kann dum |
| This soup is delicious | ແກງນີ້ແຊບ | Aekng ni aesb | Aekng nee – aeesb |
| I’m allergic to peanuts | ຂ້ອຍແພ້ຖົ່ວດິນ | Khony aeph thouadin | K-hoony ae-ph thouadeen |
More Conversational Phrases That Make You Sound Lao
As you continue your journey to sound more like a Lao native, here’s another set of conversational phrases to add to your repertoire.
| English | Lao | Roman Transcription | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where are you from? | ເຈົ້າມາຈາກໃສ? | Chao ma chak sai? | Khow pha-jao yoo bawn hep weey? |
| I don’t know | ບໍ່ຮູ້ | Baw huu | Baw hoo |
| Where is this? | ນີ້ຢູ່ໃສ? | Ni yusai | Nee you-sai |
| I want to take a picture of this beautiful place | ຂ້ອຍຢາກຖ່າຍຮູບສະຖານທີ່ທີ່ສວຍງາມນີ້ | Khonyyak thaihub sathanthi thisuanyngam ni | Khow pha-jao teem sah-mai jai sah-som khong tohn hong |
| Don’t take my photo | ຢ່າຖ່າຍຮູບຂອງຂ້ອຍ | Ya thaihub khongkhony | Yaa thai-huub khong k-hoony |
Navigating Lao Culture With Confidence
Beyond the phrases, delving into a bit of cultural understanding can take your Lao experience to the next level. Lao culture is deeply rooted in respect and hospitality, and knowing a few cultural nuances can make your interactions even more meaningful.
Respect for Elders: In Lao culture, showing respect to elders is of utmost importance. Use the word “ປະຊາຊົນ” (baasaa-so-oon) when addressing someone older than you, and it’s always polite to give a slight bow when greeting them.
Taking Off Your Shoes: Before entering someone’s home or a temple, remember to remove your shoes. This simple act shows respect and cleanliness.
Offering and Receiving: When giving or receiving items, it’s customary to use both hands. This gesture signifies politeness and appreciation.
Body Language: Lao people are generally reserved in their body language, so keeping gestures and physical contact to a minimum is considered respectful.
To Conclude
So there you have it, a plethora of basic words and phrases that will make you sound like a seasoned Lao speaker. Remember, practice makes perfect, and your efforts to embrace the Lao language will surely be appreciated by locals and fellow learners alike.
Whether you’re savoring delicious Lao cuisine, exploring the stunning landscapes, or simply engaging in conversations, these phrases will ensure you’re well-equipped for an immersive experience in Laos. Happy learning, and ສະບາຍດີ (sabaai di) on your linguistic journey!
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