Language/Lao/Vocabulary/Basic-Greetings
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Introduction
Welcome to the "Complete 0 to A1 Lao Course". In this lesson, you will learn the basic greetings in Lao. Being able to greet someone properly is an essential aspect of any language, as it allows you to make a good first impression and start a conversation. Whether you're a tourist or a business traveler, knowing how to say hello, goodbye, and other common phrases in Lao will help you interact with locals and show respect for their culture.
In this lesson, we will cover:
- The importance of greetings in Lao culture
- How to say hello and goodbye in Lao
- Other common greetings in Lao
Let's get started!
The Importance of Greetings in Lao Culture
In Lao culture, greetings are considered very important. When meeting someone, it is customary to greet them with respect and friendliness. Lao people tend to be very friendly and hospitable, and making a good first impression is essential to building a positive relationship.
In addition to saying hello and goodbye, Lao people often inquire about each other's well-being, family, and business. These questions are considered polite and show that you care about the person you are speaking with. It's important to respond to these questions in a friendly manner, even if you're meeting someone for the first time.
How to Say Hello and Goodbye in Lao
Now, let's learn some basic greetings in Lao!
Say Hello
To say hello in Lao, you can use the phrase "Sâbaidee."
| Lao | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ສະບາຍດີ | sǎ-bai-dee | Hello |
It's important to remember that the tone of your voice can convey different meanings in Lao. When saying hello, use a neutral tone of voice to show respect and politeness.
Say Goodbye
To say goodbye, you can use the phrase "Laa gòn ná."
| Lao | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ລາກອນນາ | laa-gòn-ná | Goodbye |
Just like when saying hello, use a neutral tone of voice when saying goodbye. This shows that you respect the person you are speaking with and are grateful for the interaction.
Other Common Greetings in Lao
In addition to hello and goodbye, there are other common greetings in Lao that you might encounter in everyday life. Let's take a look at a few examples:
How are you?
To ask someone how they are doing in Lao, you can use the phrase "Sǎbaidee baw?"
| Lao | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ສະບາຍດີບໍ່ | sǎ-bai-dee baw? | How are you? |
This phrase is often used as a greeting in itself, and you can respond with "Sǎbaidee" to indicate that you are doing well.
Nice to meet you
To indicate that it's nice to meet someone in Lao, you can use the phrase "Yin dee têe dai ru jàk."
| Lao | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ຢິນດີຕ້ອນຮັກ | yin-dee têe dai ru jàk | Nice to meet you |
This phrase is commonly used in formal situations, such as when meeting someone for the first time in a business context.
Thank you
To say thank you in Lao, you can use the phrase "Khàwp jai."
| Lao | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ຂວັນດີ | khàwp jai | Thank you |
This phrase is considered polite and respectful, and is appropriate to use in a variety of contexts.
Excuse me
To say excuse me in Lao, you can use the phrase "Kǎw tód."
| Lao | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ເຂົ້າຕົດ | kǎw tód | Excuse me |
This phrase can be used to get someone's attention, or to apologize for a mistake.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned the basic greetings in Lao. Being able to greet someone properly is an important aspect of any language, and Lao culture places a great deal of importance on politeness and respect. In addition to hello and goodbye, you have learned how to ask how someone is doing, show gratitude, and apologize for a mistake. Keep practicing these phrases in everyday conversation, and you'll be well on your way to speaking Lao with confidence and ease.
Remember that tone of voice is important when speaking Lao, so take the time to practice your pronunciation and intonation. This will help you convey the right meaning and show respect for the person you are speaking with.
In the next lesson, we will learn how to introduce ourselves and ask for someone's name. See you there!
Videos
Basic Greeting in Lao - YouTube
Other Lessons
- Seasons
- Food
- Clothes
- Numbers 1 10
- Drinks
- Count to 10
- Introducing Yourself
- Counting and Numbers
- How to Say Hello and Greetings
Sources
- 21 Essential Phrases You'll Need in Laos
- Useful Words And Phrases In Lao: For 2022 And Onwards! - Ling App
- 50 Essential Lao words and phrases for travelers: your basic Lao ...
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