Language/Lao/Vocabulary/Numbers-1-10
Learning numbers is an essential part of any language course. In this lesson, we will learn how to count from 1 to 10 in Lao, and how to use these numbers in simple sentences. You will also learn some interesting facts about the Lao language and culture along the way.
Lao Number System
The Lao number system is based on the decimal system, like most other number systems in the world. However, the way the numbers are named is slightly different from other languages. The Lao numbers one to five have unique names, while the numbers six to nine are formed by adding a prefix to the number five. The number ten is named after the Lao word for fingers.
Here are the numbers one to ten in Lao:
Lao | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
ໜຶ່ງ (nung) | noong | One |
ສອງ (song) | song | Two |
ສາມ (saam) | sam | Three |
ສີ່ (si) | si | Four |
ຫ້າ (ha) | ha | Five |
ຫ້າສີ່ (ha si) | ha si | Six |
ຫ້າສາມ (ha sam) | ha sam | Seven |
ຫ້າສີມ (ha sim) | ha sim | Eight |
ຫ້ານັ້ນ (ha nuan) | ha noo-an | Nine |
ສິບ (sip) | sip | Ten |
It is important to note that the pronunciation of Lao numbers is tricky. Some Lao numbers may sound similar to English speakers, but others are entirely different. It is essential to practice speaking and listening to numbers to master the correct pronunciation.
Using Lao Numbers in Sentences
Now that you know how to count from one to ten let's learn how to use them in simple sentences.
To say your age, you often use the verb "ເກມ (khem)" which means "to have age." Here's an example of how to say, "I am six years old" in Lao:
"ຂ້ອຍເກມແຕ່ວັນທີ່ ຫ້າສີ່ (khoy khem tai wan thi haa si)
Let's break it down:
- ຂ້ອຍ (khoy) means "I" - ເກມ (khem) means "to have age" - ແຕ່ວັນທີ່ (tai wan thi) means "years old" - ຫ້າສີ່ (ha si) means "six"
So, "ຂ້ອຍເກມແຕ່ວັນທີ່ ຫ້າສີ່" translates to "I have six years old."
In Lao, the word order of sentences is usually subject-verb-object (SVO), unlike English, which is usually subject-object-verb (SOV). So, the sentence structure of Lao could be different from other languages.
Here's another example of how to use Lao numbers in sentences:
"ເກມຂ້າພະແນງ ຫ້າສາມ" (khem kha pa nang ha saam)
It means "Grandfather is 3 years old."
- ເກມ (khem) means "to have age" - ຂ້າພະແນງ (kha pa nang) means "grandfather" - ຫ້າສາມ (ha sam) means "three"
Let's learn some useful Lao phrases that include numbers.
- "ຂ້ອຍຈົດຫມາຍທີ່ໜຶ່ງ" (khoy chot mai tai noong) means "I brush my teeth once a day." - "ບ້ານນ້ຳຜົນໃສ່ພະຍາງສອງຄົງທາ" (baan num phon sai pa yang song khong tha) means "The village is two kilometers away." - "ຂ້ອຍມືເຮັດກີລີສີ່" (khoy mi het ki li si) means "I have finished eating four rice dishes."
Fun Facts about Lao
- The Lao language uses Sanskrit-based numbers, which are also found in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand. - The Lao language does not have a grammatical gender system. - The Lao language has six tones, which can change the meaning of a word. - Lao is the official language of Laos and Northeast Thailand, where it is also spoken. - Lao has been written in the Lao script, a descendant of the ancient Khmer script, since the 14th century.
Congratulations! You have learned how to count from one to ten and how to use them in simple sentences in Lao. Keep practicing and listening, and you will soon master the correct pronunciation. Don't forget to have fun and enjoy learning about Lao language and culture!
Videos
Learn Lao numbers | How to count in Lao language. Ep.12 - YouTube
Laos Basics - Lesson 1 (Hello,Goodbye,Numbers) - YouTube
Other Lessons
- Months of the Year
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Body Parts
- Days of the week
- Family
- Clothes
- Transportation
- Modes of Transportation
- Sports and Activities