Master essential Lao language skills for your travels with our guide on 40 crucial Lao words and phrases. Perfect for tourists, this article provides easy-to-learn vocabulary that will help you navigate, dine, and connect with locals in Laos. Start your language journey today and enhance your travel experience!
Greetings: Learn basic greetings like "Sabaidee" (hello) and "La gon" (goodbye). Using these simple greetings will go a long way in establishing a friendly connection with the locals.
Politeness: Lao culture places great importance on politeness and respect. Addressing people with appropriate titles such as "Nong" (for younger individuals) and "Baa" (for older individuals) shows respect. Adding "Kop chai" (thank you) at the end of requests or interactions is considered polite.
Pronunciation: Lao is a tonal language, which means that the meaning of words can change based on the tone used. Pay attention to the tones—high, mid, low, or rising—when speaking words. It may take some practice to get the pronunciation right, so don't be afraid to ask for help or clarification.
Hello - Sabaidee (sah-bye-dee)
Thank you - Khop jai (khop jai)
Yes - Jao (jow)
No - Baw (baw)
Please - Kaw thot (kaw thot)
Excuse me - Khor thot (khor thot)
Sorry - Khor thot (khor thot)
Goodbye - La gon (laa-gon)
How are you? - Sok dee baw? (sok dee baw?)
I'm fine, thank you - Sok dee, khop jai (sok dee, khop jai)
What is your name? - Jao seu nyang? (jow seu nyang?)
My name is [name] - Seu nyang [name] (seu nyang [name])
Where is...? - Yuu sai...? (yoo sai...?)
How much does it cost? - Tao dai? (tao dai?)
I don't understand - Baw khao jai (baw kao jai)
Do you speak English? - Jao pood paa-saa ang-grit baw? (jow pood paa-saa ang-grit baw?)
Help - Soi (soi)
Where is the bathroom? - Hong naam yuu sai? (hong naam yoo sai?)
I need a doctor - Koi souk dee (koi souk dee)
Delicious - Aroi (a-roy)
Cheers! - Sok dee! (sok dee!)
Can you recommend a good restaurant? - Jao saa-nii a-harn yang aow dai baw? (jow saa-nee ah-harn yang ow dai baw?)
Where can I find a hotel? - Koy sii nung kao hotel yuu sai? (koy see noong kao hotel yoo sai?)
I would like to order... - Koi bawk ti... (koi bawk tee...)
Can you help me? - Jao soi koi dai baw? (jow soi koi dai baw?)
Excuse me, where is the bus station? - Khor thot, bus station yuu sai? (khor thot, bus station yoo sai?)
I'm lost - Koi laow (koi laow)
Do you have Wi-Fi? - Mee Wi-Fi baw? (mee Wi-Fi baw?)
Can you take a picture of me? - Jao sao souk duang koi dai baw? (jow sao souk duang koi dai baw?)
What time is it? - Kheu baw? (kheu baw?)
Is it far? - Baw yahng? (baw yahng?)
Can you repeat that, please? - Jao kaw thot duay dai baw? (jow kaw thot duay dai baw?)
I'm allergic to... - Koi sai ror... aow pai (koi sai ror... ow pie)
Where can I buy souvenirs? - Koy thang phasa sin suk-dai yuu sai? (koy thang pha-sa sin sook-dai yoo sai?)
Do you accept credit cards? - Jao karn krang-ten dai baw? (jow karn krang-ten dai baw?)
Can you give me a discount? - Jao sao souk dee dai baw? (jow sao sook dee dai baw?)
Is there an ATM nearby? - ATM yuu sai whaang baw? (ATM yoo sai whaang baw?)
Is it safe here? - Aharn dee baw? (a-harn dee baw?)
Can you recommend a good tour guide? - Jao saa-nii tour guide yang aow dai baw? (jow saa-nee tour guide yang ow dai baw?)
I love Laos - Koi rak lao (koi rak lao)
