Lao Basic Phrases: A Comprehensive Guide For New Learners

Want to learn how to say ‘hello,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘good morning,’ and ‘goodbye’ in Laotian? Here’s your complete guide for a truly immersive experience in Laos, using Lao basic phrases!

Whenever you travel to another country, it always pays to learn a few important words beforehand. It will make your transactions and interactions with the locals easier. 

So, let’s bone up on the most useful and important phrases in this article. Don’t forget to practice that charming Laotian tone while you’re at it!

Understanding the Lao Language

The Lao language traces its roots back to the 13th century when tribes migrated from Southern China and Vietnam. It belongs to the Tai-Kadai language family and shares a lot of vocabulary with Thai. 

Also called Laotian, the language of Laos occurs in different dialects and belongs to the Tai-Kadai family, closely related to Thai. In terms of script, Lao is also very similar to Thai, which is written of Indic origin. Interestingly, most Laotians understand Thai because the languages are very similar. 

Today, over half of the Laos population (around 3 million people) speak Lao or Laotian as the country’s official language. Lao has over 80 dialects spoken by various ethnic groups. 

While Laos’ younger generation tends to speak more English, learning even the most basic words shows consideration and respect for their culture. 

Lao is A Tonal Language

The meaning of words or syllables change depending on the tone, making it challenging for untrained ears to grasp. Native English speakers often struggle to master this language because of its complexity.

The Lao language is generally monosyllabic and tonal, featuring six distinct tones: low, mid, high, rising, high falling, and low falling. Thus, words can have an entirely different meaning depending on the difference in pitch. So, paying attention to your tone is important to ensure you communicate things properly.

If you’re traveling to Laos anytime soon – whether you’re a first-time traveler to Laos or immersing yourself in this Southeast Asian country for a long time – learning about the basics of their language will surely be helpful during your stay. 

Basic Lao Expressions

Neighboring countries in Southeast Asia influenced the Lao language’s origin, so if you’ve traveled to bordering destinations, you might already recognize parts of the language. However, if you’re new to learning Lao, we’ve prepared a pronunciation guide and a complete list of useful expressions to help you interact with locals. 

Greetings/Polite Expressions in Lao

Basic greetings in Laos are more than just saying “hello” or “good morning” to others. They do it with utmost respect as a courtesy to the people they’re greeting.

Note that putting your hands together in a prayer-like gesture called “nop” and bowing slightly is part of a polite greeting in Laos. Here are some basic greetings you must learn:

• Hello = ສະບາຍ ດີ (Sa bai dee)
• How are you? = ເຈົ້າ​ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ບໍ? (Chao sa bai dee bo?)
• I’m fine, thank you = ​ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ຂອບ​ໃຈ (Sa bai dee, khop chay)
• Thank you = ຂອບໃຈ (Khop chay)
• You’re welcome/No worries = ບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງ (Baw pen nyang)
• Good morning = ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ຕອນ​ເຊົ້າ (Sa bai dee ton sao)
• Good afternoon = ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ຕອນ​ສວາຍ (Sa bai dee ton suai)
• Good evening = ສະບາຍດີຍາມແລງ (Sa bai dee nyam leng)
• Excuse me = ຂໍໂທດ (Khãw thoot)
• Please = ກະລຸນາ (Kaluna)
• Goodbye/Stay well = ລາກ່ອນ (La gon)
• Good luck! = ໂຊກດີ (Sok dee!)
• Congratulations! = ຊົມເຊີຍ! (Somsoeny!)
• Happy birthday! = ສຸກ​ສັນ​ວັນ​ເກີດ (Sook san van koed!)
• Merry Christmas! = ສຸກສັນວັນຄຣິສມາດ (Sook san van khris mad!)
• Happy new year! = ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ປີ​ໃຫມ່ (Sa bai dee pi haim!)

Questions and Answer Words/Phrases in Lao

Whether you’re in Laos for a quick visit or planning to stay for a long time, learning the basic question-and-answer words and phrases can help you get by daily:

• What is your name? = ເຈົ້າຊື່ຫຍັງ? (Jâo seu nyang?)
• My name is ___ = ຂ້ອຍຊື່ ___ (Khǭy seu ___)
• What = ອັນໃດ (An dai)
• Who = ໃຜ (Phai)
• Where = ຢູ່ໃສ (Yu sai)
• When = ເມື່ອໃດ (Meuo dai)
• Why = ເປັນຫຍັງ (Pen jang)
• How = ສັງ (Sang)

Other helpful words you can learn are the basic “yes” or “no” when being asked by locals:

• Yes = ໂດຍ (Doi)
• No = ບໍ່ (Baw)
• Maybe = ບາງທີ (Bangthi)
• I don’t know/I don’t understand = ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ (Khǭy baw khao jai)
• I don’t understand = Baw khao jai

Numbers in Lao

It is important to learn the basic numbers in Laos as they may come in handy when eating out or shopping, such as how much food or items you want to buy. They may also be useful when bargaining at stalls and shops. Believe me when I say that they will give you a significant discount when they hear you’re trying to speak Lao.

	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
	Sun	Nung	Song	Sam	Sa	Ha	Hok	Jet	Ped	Gao
10	Sip	Sip et	Sip song	Sip sam	Sip sa	Sip ha	Sip hok	Sip jet	Sip ped	Sip gao
20	Sao	Sao et	Sao song	Sao sam	Sao sa	Sao ha	Sao hok	Sao jet	Sao ped	Sao gao
30	Sam sip	Sam sip et	Sam sip song	Sam sip sam	Sam sip sa	Sam sip ha	Sam sip hok	Sam sip jet	Sam sip ped	Sam sip gao
40	Sa sip	Sa sip et	Sa sip song	Sa sip sam	Sa sip sa	Sa sip ha	Sa sip hok	Sa sip jet	Sa sip ped	Sa sip gao
50	Ha sip	Ha sip et	Ha sip song	Ha sip sam	Ha sip sa	Ha sip ha	Ha sip hok	Ha sip jet	Ha sip ped	Ha sip gao
60	Hok sip	Hok sip et	Hok sip song	Hok sip sam	Hok sip sa	Hok sip ha	Hok sip hok	Hok sip jet	Hok sip ped	Hok sip gao
70	Jet sip	Jet sip et	Jet sip song	Jet sip sam	Jet sip sa	Jet sip ha	Jet sip hok	Jet sip jet	Jet sip ped	Jet sip gao
80	Ped sip	Ped sip et	Ped sip song	Ped sip sam	Ped sip sa	Ped sip ha	Ped sip hok	Ped sip jet	Ped sip ped	Ped sip gao
90	Gao sip	Gao sip et	Gao sip song	Gao sip sam	Gao sip sa	Gao sip ha	Gao sip hok	Gao sip jet	Gao sip ped	Gao sip gao
100	Nung hoy
500	Ha hoy
1000	Nung phan

For numbers 12 to 19, you have to follow the format for number 11, which is Sip + Lao translation of 2 to 9 (e.g., 12 = sip-song, 13 = sip-sam, and so on).

Number When Referring to Money

You may also want to memorize these other translations when referring to your money.

National currency in Laos: Lao Kip (LAK) = ກີບ (kip); ₭

Number	Lao Translation
100	Loi
200	Song Loi
300	Sam Loi
1,000	Phan

Time in Lao

You can also apply the Lao numbers you learned when asking or telling about time. Here are other phrases and words you can take note of: 

• What time is it now? = ເວລາໃດ? (Vela dai?)
• 1 a.m. = ໜຶ່ງໂມງເຊົ້າ (Nung mong sao)
• 2 a.m. = ສອງໂມງເຊົ້າ (Song mong sao)
• 3 a.m. = ສາມໂມງເຊົ້າ (Sam mong sao)
• 4 a.m. = ສີ່ໂມງເຊົ້າ (Sa mong sao)
• 5 a.m. = ຫ້າໂມງເຊົ້າ (Ha mong sao)
• 6 a.m. = ຫົກໂມງເຊົ້າ (Hok mong sao)
• 7 a.m. = ເຈັດໂມງເຊົ້າ (Jet mong sao)
• 8 a.m. = ແປດໂມງເຊົ້າ (Ped mong sao)
• 9 a.m. = ເກົ້າເຊົ້າ (Gao sao)
• 10 a.m. = ສິບໂມງເຊົ້າ (Sip mong sao)
• 11 a.m. = ສິບເອັດ (Sip ped)
• 12 p.m. = ສິບສອງໂມງ (Sip song mong)
• 1 p.m. = ຕອນບ່າຍ (Ton bai)
• 2 p.m. = ສອງໂມງແລງ (Song mong laeng)
• 3 p.m. = ສາມໂມງແລງ (Sam mong laeng)
• 4 p.m. = ສີ່ໂມງແລງ (Sa mong laeng)
• 5 p.m. = ຫ້າໂມງແລງ (Ha mong laeng)
• 6 p.m. = ຫົກໂມງແລງ (Hok mong laeng)
• 7 p.m. = ເຈັດໂມງແລງ (Jet mong laeng)
• 8 p.m. = ແປດໂມງແລງ (Ped mong laeng)
• 9 p.m. = ເກົ້າໂມງແລງ (Gao mong laeng)
• 10 p.m. = ສິບໂມງແລງ (Sip mong laeng)
• 11 p.m. = ສິບເອັດໂມງ (Sip ped mong)
• 12 a.m. = ສິບສອງໂມງເຊົ້າ (Sip song mong sao)

For the following hours, you can replace the first word with the Lao translation of the number and add “omngsao” to it.

• 01:00 = Nung omngsao
• 02:00 = Song omngsao

Keep in mind these phrases for the different parts of the day:

• Morning = ເຊົ້າ (Sao)
• Noon = ທ່ຽງ (Thiang)
• Afternoon = ບ່າຍ (Bai)
• Evening = ແລງ (Laeng)
• Night = ຄືນ (Khun)
• Now = ດຽວນີ້ (Ton ni)
• Minute = ນາທີ (Na thi)
• Half an hour = ເຄິ່ງ​ຊົ່ວ​ໂມງ (Kheung soar mong)
• Hour = ຊົ່ວໂມງ (Soar mong)

Week Days and Months in Lao

If you’re staying for multiple days up to a week or even months, you may also want to learn the different days of the week and the name of the months:

• Monday = ວັນຈັນ (Wan chan)
• Tuesday = ວັນອັງຄານ (Wan ang kaan)
• Wednesday = ວັນພຸດ (Wan put)
• Thursday = ວັນພະຫັດ (Wan pahat)
• Friday = ວັນ​ສຸກ (Wan suuk)
• Saturday = ວັນເສົາ (Wan sao)
• Sunday = ວັນອາທິດ (Wan aatid)
• Weekend = ທ້າຍອາທິດ (Thaai aatid)
• Weekday = ມື້ອາທິດ (Wan tham madaa)
• January = ມັງກອນ (Mang kon)
• February = ກຸມພາ (Kum pha)
• March = ມີນາ (Mi na)
• April = ເມສາ (Mi sa)
• May = ພຶດສະພາ (Pud sa pha)
• June = ມິຖຸນາ (Mi thu na)
• July = ກໍລະກົດ (Ko la kot)
• August = ສິງຫາ (Sing ha)
• September = ກັນຍາ (Kan nya)
• October = ຕຸລາ (Tu laa)
• November = ພະຈິກ (Pa jik)
• December = ທັນວາ (Than waa)

Sentences to Use When Shopping in Laos

You’ll likely go shopping in Laos and memorizing the basic phrases when buying and haggling can help you score discounts. 

Here are some useful words, questions, and phrases related to shopping you can learn:

• How much does this cost? = ​ລາ​ຄາ​ເທົ່າ​ໃດ? (Laka tao dai?)
• I need ___ = ຂ້ອຍ​ຕ້ອງ​ການ ___ (Khǭy tong kan ___)
• It’s very expensive, can you lower the price? = ແພງຫຼາຍ ລົດໄດບໍ (Pheng lai, lud dai baw?)
• Can you give me a discount? = ເຈົ້າມີສ່ວນຫຼຸດບໍ? (Chao misuan rud bo?)
• I can’t afford it = ກ້ຽວສາວບວມໄດ (Khǭy seu baw dai)
• Expensive = ແພງຫຼາຍ (Pheng lai)
• Cheap = ຖືກ (Tuke)
• Okay, I’ll take it = ຂ້ອຍຈະເອົາມັນ (Khǭy si ow)
• Do you accept card payments? = ທ່ານຍອມຮັບການຊໍາລະບັດບໍ? (Than nyomhab kan soa labad bo?)
• I don’t want it = ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຕ້ອງການມັນ (Khǭy bo tongkan man)
• Can I have a plastic bag? = ຂ້ອຍສາມາດມີຖົງຢາງໄດ້ບໍ? (Khǭy samadmi thong yang dai bo?)
• Please pack these items = ກະລຸນາບັນຈຸລາຍການເຫຼົ່ານີ້ (Kaluna banchu laikan heoani)

Eating and Ordering Food in Laos

When going into a coffee shop or restaurant, learning the basic phrases can save you time and the hassle of ordering wrong. Food in Laos also tends to be spicier, so learning how to customize your order can be very helpful.

• Do you have ___? = ທ່ານມີ___ບໍ່? (Thān mii ___ bo?)
• I would like ___ = ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງການ ___ (Khǭy tong kan ___)
• I’m hungry = ຂ້ອຍຫິວເຂົ້າ (Khǭy hew khao)
• I don’t eat ___ = ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ກິນ ___ (Khǭy bǎng gin ___)
• Don’t add sugar = ບໍ່ໃສ່ນຳ້ຕານ (Baw sai nam tan)
• I don’t like it spicy = ບໍ່ເຜັດ (Baw pet)
• I want it a little spicy = ເຜັດຫນ້ອຍຫນຶ່ງ (Pet noy nung)
• Delicious/Very delicious = ແຊບ / ແຊບຫຼາຍ (Sep/Sep lai)
• Check, please/Please calculate the total price = ໄລ່ເງິນແດ່ (Lai ngun deh)
• Bill, please = ໃບບິນ, ກະລຸນາ (Bai bin, kaluna)
• Water = ນຳ້ (Nam)
• Beer = ເບຍ (Bia)
• Rice = ເກົ້າ (Khao)
• Chicken = ຊີ້ນໄກ່ (Sin kai)
• Beef = ລາບ (Lap)
• Beef noodle soup = ແກງໜໍ່ໄມ້ (Kaeng nomai)
• Pork = ຊີ້ນຫມູ (Sin mu)
• Fish = ປາ (Pa)
• Vegetables = ຜັກ (Phak)
• Dessert = ດີດເຂົ້າ (Dee dee khao)

Asking For Help/Information in Laos

These expressions will come in handy when you find yourself needing help or asking for information from the locals:

• Sorry/Excuse me = ຂໍໂທດ (Khãw thoot)
• Can you help me? = ເຈົ້າ​ຊ່ວຍ​ຂ້ອຍ​ໄດ້​ບໍ່? (Chao suany khǭy dai bo?)
• Can you please ___? = ເຈົ້າກະລຸນາໄດ້ບໍ? (Chao kaluna dai bo?)
• Can you read this? = ເຈົ້າສາມາດອ່ານເລື່ອງນີ້ໄດ້ບໍ? (Chao samad an leuongni dai bo?)
• Do you know ___? = ເຈົ້າ​ຮູ້​ບໍ່___? (Chao hu bo?)
• Do you speak English? = ເຈົ້າ​ເວົ້າ​ພາ​ສາ​ອັງ​ກິດ​ໄດ້​ບໍ່? (Chao vao pha sa ang kid dai bo?)
• Do you understand? = ເຈົ້າ​ເຂົ້າ​ໃຈ​ບໍ່? (Chao khao chai bo?)
• How do I use this? = ຂ້ອຍຈະໃຊ້ສິ່ງນີ້ໄດ້ແນວໃດ? (Khǭy cha sai sing ni dai jung dai?)
• Is it this way? = ມັນເປັນທາງນີ້ບໍ? (Man pen thang ni bo?)
• Is it near here? = ມັນຢູ່ໃກ້ນີ້ບໍ? (Man yu kai ni bo?)
• What time does ___? = ເມື່ອໃດມັ___? (Meuo dai ma ___?)

Asking For Directions in Laos

It’s easy to get lost in a new city or country, so it’s best to familiarize yourself with the basic words and phrases when asking for directions or specific locations.

• Where is the nearest ___? = ___ ຢູ່ໃສ? ( ___ yu sai?)
• Where is the bathroom? = ຫ້ອງ້ນໍາຢູ່ໃສ? (Hong nam yu sai?)
• Where is the exit? = ທາງອອກຢູ່ໃສ? (Thang okh yu sai?)
• Where is the restaurant? = ຮ້ານອາຫານຢູ່ໃສ? (Hanoa han yu sai?)
• How do I get to ___? = ຂ້ອຍຈະໄປ ___ ໄດ້ແນວໃດ? (Khǭy cha pai ___ dai jung dai?)
• How do I get to the bus station? = ຂ້ອຍຈະໄປສະຖານີລົດເມໄດ້ແນວໃດ? (Khǭy cha pai sathani lod meh dai jung dai?)
• How do I get to the train station? = ຂ້ອຍໄປສະຖານີລົດໄຟໄດ້ແນວໃດ? (Khǭy cha pai sa thani lod fai dai jung dai?)
• How do I get to the airport? = ຂ້ອຍຈະໄປສະຫນາມບິນໄດ້ແນວໃດ? (Khǭy cha pai sa nam bin dai jung dai?)
• Here = ທີ່ນີ້ (Thini)
• Turn left = ລ້ຽວຊ້າຍ (Leo sai)
• Turn right = ລ້ຽວຂວາ (Leo kua)
• Stop = ຢຸດ (Yuut)
• Go = ໄປ (Pai)
• Straight ahead = ໄປ​ຊື່ໆ (Pai su)
• Street = ຖະຫນົນ (Tha non)
• Corner = ແຈ (Aech)

Transportation Phrases in Lao

Knowing the basic phrases and questions regarding transportation means in Laos can also save you from the hassle of not knowing what and where to ride.

• I would like to go to ___ = ຂ້ອຍຢາກໄປ ___ (Khǭy yak pai ___)
• I would like to rent a ___ = ຂ້ອຍຢາກເຊົ່າ ___ (Khǭy yak seoa ___)
• Rent/hire = ຈ້າງ (Chang)
• Taxi = ລົດ​ຕັກ​ຊິ (Lod tak si)
• Car = ລົດ (Lod keng)
• Bus = ລົດເມ (Lod meh)
• Train = ລົດໄຟ (Lod fai)
• Motorcycle = ລົດຈັກ (Lod chak)
• Bicycle = ລົດ​ຖີບ (Lod thib)
• Boat = ເຮືອ (Heu)

Lao Phrases for Emergencies

You never know when an emergency can happen, and keeping in mind these phrases will not only help you in unexpected situations but can also help save lives.

• Sorry/Excuse me = ຂໍໂທດ (Khãw thoot)
• Can you help me? = ເຈົ້າ​ຊ່ວຍ​ຂ້ອຍ​ໄດ້​ບໍ່? (Chao suany khǭy dai bo?)
• Help! = ຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ! (Suanyheu!)
• I’m sick = ຂ້ອຍ​ບໍ່​ສະ​ບາຍ (Khǭy bo sa bai)
• I don’t feel well = ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຮູ້ສຶກດີ (Khǭy bohu suk dee)
• I was injured = ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ຮັບບາດເຈັບ (Khǭy dai habbad cheb)
• It’s an emergency = ສຸກ​ເສີນ (Suk soen)
• I need to see a doctor = ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງການທ່ານຫມໍ (Khǭy tong kan than mo)
• Where is the hospital? = ໂຮງໝໍຢູ່ໃສ? (Hong mo yu sai?)
• Where is the bathroom? = ຫ້ອງ້ນໍາຢູ່ໃສ (Hong nam yu sai?)
• My wallet is lost = ກະເປົາເງິນຂອງຂ້ອຍເສຍ (Kapaongoen khong khǭy sia)
• My bag is lost = ຖົງຂອງ​ຂ້ອຍ​ເສຍ (Thong khong khǭy sia)
• I’m lost = ຂ້ອຍເສຍ (Khǭy sia)
• Call the police = ໂທຫາຕໍາຫຼວດ (Othha toaruad)

Addressing People in Lao

Laotians are very respectful; hence, they use appropriate forms of address based on gender and status. People usually use “kha” to politely address females, while “khap” is for males.

Here are the other words you must be familiar with when addressing people in Laos:

• I = ຂ້ອຍ (Khǭy)
• I (polite form) = ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ (Kha pha chao)
• You = ເຂົາ (Khao)
• Hello, Ma’am = ສະບາຍດີເອື້ອຍ (Sa bai dee uo)
• Hello, Sir = ສະບາຍດີ ອ້າຍ (Sa bai dee ai)
• Female (junior) = ນາງ / ນາງສາວ (Nang/Nang sao)
• Female (senior) = ແມ່ຍິງ / ຜູ້ຍິງ (Meh ninh/Phu ninh)
• Older sister = ເອື້ອຍ (Euony)
• Grandmother/Middle-aged woman (50-60 years old) = ແມ່ຍ່າ (Nya meh)
• Grandmother/Elder woman (60 years old and up) = ແມ່ຕູ້ (Meh tu)
• Male (junior) = ຜູ້ບ່າວ (Phu pa)
• Male (senior) = ຊາຍ / ຜູ້ຊາຍ (Sai/Phu sai)
• Older brother = ອ້າຍ (Ai)
• Grandfather/Middle-aged man (50-60 years old) = ພໍ່ໃຫຍ່ (Nya poh)
• Grandfather/Elder man (60 years old and up) = ພໍ່ຕູ້ (Poh tu)

Tips for Communicating Well in Laos

More than learning the basics, part of the journey is making sure you communicate your thoughts well to Laotians. 

To make the most out of your Southeast Asian experience apart from exploring the country’s culture and landmarks, also keep these valuable tips in mind when communicating with the locals:

Social Situations

• While English is commonly understood, familiarizing yourself with basic Lao phrases is the best way to overcome language barriers. Practice speaking with locals whenever possible, even if it’s just simple phrases. Lao people appreciate the effort and will likely respond positively.
• When conversing with a group of people, address the most senior person in the group before speaking with others. For instance, address the head of the family before you talk to other family members.
• Show respect to older people by bowing your head when greeting them, and be mindful that they are given priority in public services such as restaurants and train stations.
• Greet others properly with a “nop”: when saying “sa bai dee” (“hello”) in Laos, press your palms together at chin level and slightly bow your head. Laotians always smile when greeting other people. Apart from doing the nop, don’t forget to wear your best smile when approaching and greeting the locals.
• Dress modestly as a sign of respect for the culture in Laos, which is rooted in the Buddhist tradition. Wear decent attire that covers your shoulders and knees.

Voice Tone and Volume

• The Lao language has six tones: low, mid, high, rising, high rising, and low falling. When confused about how to speak the words properly using the right tone, it’s best to consult or ask for help from locals to avoid miscommunication.
• Mastering the correct tones and vowel sounds is crucial for conveying meaning accurately. Be aware of the differences between short and long vowels. To practice the correct pronunciation, try listening to native Lao speakers or using online resources with audio.
• Do not speak too loudly; it is considered impolite. Laotians are generally soft-spoken and reserved and don’t usually appreciate expressions that are too loud. So, as a sign of respect, try to practice this behavior when in the country.

Gestures and Other Non-Verbal Expressions

• Non-verbal communication plays a significant role in Lao culture. Show a friendly attitude by smiling and nodding when communicating with locals.
• Avoid touching someone’s head – it’s a strong violation of personal boundaries. Maintain an appropriate distance at all times.
• Making direct eye contact may be uncomfortable for Lao people, so avoid looking straight at someone’s eyes when conversing.
• Use your right hand when receiving or offering something as a sign of courtesy.
• When sitting, refrain from pointing with your foot and keep your feet tucked in, especially near Buddha images, to avoid causing disrespect.

Frequently Asked Questions – Lao Basic Phrases

How Do You Say Hello in Lao?

“Hello” in Lao is “Sabaidee,” which is pronounced as “Suh-bye-dee.” This greeting is usually accompanied by nop or a simple smile and wave.

How Do You Say Thank You in Laos?

“Thank you” in Lao is “Khop Jai,” which is usually responded to by “Baw Pen Nyang” or “You’re welcome.”

What Are the Basic Greetings in Lao?

To greet someone in Lao, you can say “sa bai dee” for “hello” or “chao sa bai dee bo?” for “How are you?” You can say these while offering a smile and wave or “nop,” a bow with hands pressed together in a praying gesture at chest level.

If you want to adjust your greeting based on the time of day, say “sa bai dee ton sao” in the morning, “sa bai dee ton suai” in the afternoon, and “sa bai dee nyam leng” at night.

What Does Sai Bai Dee Mai Mean, and How Do You Respond to It?

“Sai bai dee mai” is an alternative way of saying, “How are you?” To respond, say “sa bai dee, khop chay,” meaning “I’m fine, thank you.”

“Sai Bai Dee Mai” means “How are you?” in Thai. Most people confuse the Thai language for Lao since they are almost the same, but you can greet “Sabaidee” back to anyone who greets you as a courtesy.

How Are Words Pronounced in Lao?

Lao pronunciation is tonal, meaning the pitch of your voice changes the meaning of a word. Mastering the six tones (low, mid, high, rising, high falling, and low falling) is the key to clear communication.

The language employs its phonetic alphabet, “Tai Tham,” where each symbol represents a specific sound, eliminating silent letters.

Tongue placement and movement play a crucial role in pronouncing specific sounds, particularly vowels and consonants like “th,” “r,” and “l.”

Which Gestures or Actions Should I Avoid in Laos?

Instead of pointing directly with your finger, which is considered aggressive, use your open hand with the palm facing downwards. Additionally, while public displays of affection like hugging and kissing may be commonplace in some cultures, they are uncommon in Laos and can be seen as inappropriate.

Conclusion – Essential Lao Basic Phrases

No matter how basic (or hilarious!) your vocabulary or pronunciation is, communicating with Laotians in their language will certainly score points. It will make your dealings with the locals easier and win their appreciation and respect. (Conversely, the young ones will also appreciate having someone to practice English with). 

Aside from the basic phrases, remember to use the right tone and appropriate body language or non-verbal communication. Don’t worry about the dialect or accent; just embrace the experience. But, just in case, bring your dictionary and guidebook in actual and virtual formats to foolproof your trip. Sok dee! 

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