There are some fundamentals when it comes to learning a new language, and this is one of them: telling the time in Lao. We will focus on timekeeping and days and months to give you a more comprehensive understanding. First things first, the basics.
‘What time is it?‘
ເວລາໃດ?
veladai
‘It’s one o’clock’
ມັນແມ່ນຫນຶ່ງໂມງ
manaemn nung omng
As always, we strongly advise you to download Ling. Ling has built an awesome selection of 60 language courses, including Lao.
If you’ve used apps like Duolingo and Rosetta Stone, then you’ll have a good idea of how Ling works, so we won’t bore you with that. However, we like to think we bring a little extra to the table because of the sheer amount of languages covered and our user interface’s uniqueness.
To begin class, you just have to sign in, and then you will finish the class in less than 15 minutes. Pick up and learn Lao whenever you want.
Telling The Time In Lao: AM + PM
Learning how to tell time in Lao is a must if you want to make the most out of your trip to Laos! It will help you get to your favorite activities and attractions on time and impress the locals with your newfound Lao language skills! Imagine dazzling your new Lao friends by telling them the time in Lao like a pro! So, grab a pad and pen, and let’s get started – you’ll be a Lao time-telling pro in no time!
| English | Lao | Lao Script |
|---|---|---|
| 01:00 | nung omngsao | ໜຶ່ງໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 02:00 | song omngsao | ສອງໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 03:00 | sam omngsao | ສາມໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 04:00 | si omngsao | ສີ່ໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 05:00 | ha omngsao | ຫ້າໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 06:00 | hok omngsao | ຫົກໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 07:00 | chedomngsao | ເຈັດໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 08:00 | aepd omngsao | ແປດໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 09:00 | kao sao | ເກົ້າເຊົ້າ |
| 10:00 | sib omngsao | ສິບໂມງເຊົ້າ |
| 11:00 | siboed | ສິບເອັດ |
| 12:00 | sibsong omng | ສິບສອງໂມງ |
| 13:00 | tonbai | ຕອນບ່າຍ |
| 14:00 | song omngaelng | ສອງໂມງແລງ |
| 15:00 | sam omngaelng | ສາມໂມງແລງ |
| 16:00 | siomngaelng | ສີ່ໂມງແລງ |
| 17:00 | ha omngaelng | ຫ້າໂມງແລງ |
| 18:00 | hok omngaelng | ຫົກໂມງແລງ |
| 19:00 | chedomngaelng | ເຈັດໂມງແລງ |
| 20:00 | aepd omngaelng | ແປດໂມງແລງ |
| 21:00 | kaoomngaelng | ເກົ້າໂມງແລງ |
| 22:00 | sibomngaelng | ສິບໂມງແລງ |
| 23:00 | siboed omng | ສິບເອັດໂມງ |
| 00:00 | sibsong omngsao | ສິບສອງໂມງເຊົ້າ |
Parts Of The Day In Lao
Knowing how to express yourself in Lao during different parts of the day can also help you make meaningful connections with the people you meet on your travels.
| English | Lao | Lao Script |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | sao | ເຊົ້າ |
| Midday | suai | ສວາຍ |
| Noon | thiang | ທ່ຽງ |
| Evening, Afternoon | laeng | ແລງ |
| Half | khoeng | ເ |
Days Of The Week In Lao
Learning the days of the week in Lao is important for scheduling appointments, planning events, and understanding local customs. It also shows respect and appreciation for the Lao culture.
| English | Lao | Lao Script |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | vanchan | ວັນຈັນ |
| Tuesday | vnoangkhan | ວັນອັງຄານ |
| Wednesday | vanphud | ວັນພຸດ |
| Thursday | vanphahad | ວັນພະຫັດ |
| Friday | van suk | ວັນສຸກ |
| Saturday | vansao | ວັນເສົາ |
| Sunday | vnoathid | ວັນອາທິດ |
Months Of The Year In Lao
Crucial for planning travel itineraries, participating in local festivals, and understanding the climate throughout the year in Laos is knowing the names of the months. Make your travel experience in Laos more enjoyable and use our list below:
| English | Lao | Lao Script |
|---|---|---|
| January | mangkon | ມັງກອນ |
| February | deuonkumpha | ເດືອນກຸມພາ |
| March | mina | ມີນາ |
| April | mesa | ເມສາ |
| May | phudsapha | ພຶດສະພາ |
| June | deuonmithuna | ເດືອນມິຖຸນາ |
| July | kolakod | ກໍລະກົດ |
| August | deuonsingha | ເດືອນສິງຫາ |
| September | knaia | ກັນຍາ |
| October | tula | ຕຸລາ |
| November | deuonphachik | ເດືອນພະຈິກ |
| December | deuonthanuaa | ເດືອນທັນວາ |
Which Calendar Is Used In Laos?
The Buddhist Calendar
Lao is a Buddhist country, and the Buddhist calendar is closely aligned to the moon and the sun.
This is complicated, and we couldn’t fully explain it in a short piece like this; however, know that the length of years can vary between 354, 355, and 388 days.
2 of the 3 years end in shortened solar years because the months are defined by lunar cycles that are alternatively 29 and 30 days long.
If you plan to spend a long time in Lao, this is worth looking into, particularly if you’re in a business with many Lao workers. However, if you ask someone the year(and they see you’re English), they’ll give you the year in the Gregorian way.
The calendar also defines what days employees have off. Some big ones include Makha Bucha and Wisakha Bucha. These holidays are extraordinarily well-observed compared to holidays in the west, and on Buddhist holidays, for example, it is impossible to buy alcohol even from supermarkets and bars.
The Lao Zodiac Calendar
The Lao zodiac is still very popular, and the general zodiac resurges in the west. It purports to tell you what kind of person you are in conjunction with the energies of the stars and planets.
I’m sure you’re already familiar with the Chinese zodiac, i.e., the year of the dragon, etc. Lao has its own form of the zodiac with only minor alterations. In order, the years are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, naga, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
If you’re interested in further researching the intricacies and the meaning behind Lao (and Thai) astrology, check out this article from the British Library.
Learn The Lao Language With Ling
As a native English speaker, I’ve realized (especially when visiting a country like Laos) that speaking English is simply not enough. It’s impolite, and you don’t learn as much about the people as you could.
I hope that list covered everything you wanted to know about telling the time in Lao. We also regularly update this blog, which accompanies the app. Here, we focus on Lao culture as well as learning Lao generally. It’s our pleasure to bring it to you to supplement your learning. My personal favorite entries recently have been about how to say sorry in Lao and common daily vocabulary in Lao.
If you enjoyed this blog, consider downloading the Ling app, which offers fun and informative mini-games, quizzes, and SRS flashcards. Moreover, there is a leaderboard that allows you to compare yourself to other Lao learners.
Our lessons cover complex topics and aim to get you speaking immediately with simple vocabulary that helps you read street signs, eat lunch, and negotiate yourself through a soccer game with Lao locals. Lao people love to play soccer! Download the Ling app from the App Store or Google Play Store and start your Lao journey now!
End ເນາະ
