Language/Lao/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Lao learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to use the verb "be" in Lao. We will look at the different forms of the verb and how to use them in sentences.
Introduction
The verb "be" is one of the most important verbs in any language. It is used to describe a state or condition of something or someone. In Lao, the verb "be" is ກະ (ka). It is an irregular verb, which means that it does not follow the same conjugation rules as other verbs.
Conjugation
The verb "be" has three forms: present, past, and future. The present form is used to describe something that is happening now or something that is true in the present. The past form is used to describe something that happened in the past. The future form is used to describe something that will happen in the future.
Present
The present form of the verb "be" is ກະ (ka). It is used to describe something that is happening now or something that is true in the present.
| Lao | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ເຂົາ ກະ ນັກເຣີດ | khao ka nak reed | I am a student |
| ເຂົາ ກະ ຊາຍ | khao ka sai | I am a boy |
| ເຂົາ ກະ ສາວ | khao ka sao | I am a girl |
Past
The past form of the verb "be" is ກະບໍ່ (ka baw). It is used to describe something that happened in the past.
| Lao | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ເຂົາ ກະບໍ່ ນັກເຣີດ | khao ka baw nak reed | I was a student |
| ເຂົາ ກະບໍ່ ຊາຍ | khao ka baw sai | I was a boy |
| ເຂົາ ກະບໍ່ ສາວ | khao ka baw sao | I was a girl |
Future
The future form of the verb "be" is ກະຈະ (ka ja). It is used to describe something that will happen in the future.
| Lao | Pronunciation | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| ເຂົາ ກະຈະ ນັກເຣີດ | khao ka ja nak reed | I will be a student |
| ເຂົາ ກະຈະ ຊາຍ | khao ka ja sai | I will be a boy |
| ເຂົາ ກະຈະ ສາວ | khao ka ja sao | I will be a girl |
Dialogue
Here is an example dialogue using the verb "be":
- Person 1: ເຂົາ ກະ ນັກເຣີດ ຫຍັງ? (khao ka nak reed yang?) - Are you a student?
- Person 2: ບໍ່, ເຂົາ ກະບໍ່ ນັກເຣີດ (baw, khao ka baw nak reed) - No, I was a student.
Conclusion
In this lesson, we have learned how to use the verb "be" in Lao. We have looked at the different forms of the verb and how to use them in sentences. To improve your Lao Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
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