Check out our essential basic Lao language words and phrases which are perfect for travellers who are keen to interact with locals and make the experience of visiting Laos easier.
Lao is spoken by around 15 million people in Laos and Thailand, and although you will find some people speak English especially at places like hotels it is highly recommended to pick up at least some polite words.
The basics of the language are quite easy to learn especially if you practise on arrival. Impress the locals and get started today.
Greetings
- Hello – Sabaidee
- Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening – Ton sao
- Goodbye! – La khãwn
Basics
- Yes – Jao
- No – Baw
- Please – Khâluna
- Thank you – Khãwp Ja?i
- Sorry/excuse me – Khãw thôht
- Thank you - Khàwp jai
- Thank you very much - Khàwp jai lai lai
- Welcome - Yin dee torn háp
Conversational
- How are you? – Sábaidee baw?
- I'm fine, thanks. And you? - Sábaidee, khàwp ja?i. jâo dây?
- Do you speak English - Jâo wâo pasa angkit dai baw?
- What's your name? - Jâo seu nyãng?
- My name is... - Kháwy seu...
- Pleased to meet you - Dee jai thee dái pop jâo
- Have a nice day! – Mu thidi
Food
- Lunch - Khao dtawn suay
- Chicken - Gai
- Beef - Neua
- Fish - Bpaa
- Salad - Yum phaak salat
- Bread - Khao jii
- Rice - Khao
- I'm a vegetarian - Khoy bpen khon jay/Khoy gin jay
- Coffee - Khaafeh
- Juice - Naam mak mai
- Orange juice - Naam maak gieng
- Coke - Naam coke
- Water - Naam
- Beer - Bia
- Salt - Gkua
- Black pepper - Pik tai
Eating Out
- I'm hungry - Kháwy hew khao
- I’m thirsty - Kháwy hew nam
- I would like to eat - Kháwy yark kin
- It was delicious - Saep lai lai
- I'm full - Khoy imm
- Where is the toilet? – Hàwng nâm yuu sai?
- Bill, please – Chèk bin, kalounaa
Emergencies
- I’m not feeling very well - Khàwy baw sábai
- I need a doctor – Khoy tong kan Maw
Transport
- How much is a ticket to...? - Kaw ta dai butt bie...?
- One ticket to ...- Kaw butt ahn diew
- Taxi - Taak See
- Take me to... please - Phaa Khoy Bpay... naeh
Directions
- North - Neua
- South - Tai
- East - Ta wen ock
- West - Ta wen tok
- Left - Sái
- Right - Khua
- Straight ahead - Thaang naa
- Street - Thanon
- How do I get to...? - Khoy bpay ... baep dai?
- I’m lost – Khoy lohng taang
- I want to go... - Kháwy yark pai...
- I want to go to the airport - Kháwy yark pai dern bin
- Where is bus station? - Kew lot may xai yuu sai?
- Where is the post office? - WHàwng karn pai xa nii yuu sai?
- Can you show me on the map? - Soe/show, yu , phaang tee/map...
Shopping
- How much does this cost? – Laka tao dai?
- I would like... – khoi yak...
- Expensive – Phaeng lai lai
- Can you lower the price? – Lout lake daï bo?
Accommodation
- Do you have any rooms available? - Jao mee hawng baw?
- May I see the room first? - Khoy berng hawng gawn dai bor?
- I will stay for () night(s). - Koi see oue ... keun.
Days of the Week
- Morning - Dthawn sao
- Afternoon - Tiang/ton suwai
- Evening - Ton lang
- Night - Kaang keun
- Sunday (wán aa-thit)
- Monday (wán jan)
- Tuesday (wán ang-kháan)
- Wednesday (wán phuut)
- Thursday (wán pha-hát)
- Friday (wán súk)
- Saturday (wán sao)
Months
- January - Deuan Máng-Kawn
- February - Deuan Kum-Pháa
- March - Deuan Mi-Náa
- April - Deuan Méh-Saa
- May - Deuan Pheut-Sá-Pháa
- June - Deuan Mi-Thú-Náa
- July - Deuan Kaw-La-Kót Da
- August - Deuan Sing-Haa
- September- Deuan Kan-Yáa
- October - Deuan Tú-Láa
- November - Deuan Pha-Jík
- December - Deuan Than-Wáa
Numbers
- 0 - Soon
- 1 - Neung
- 2 - Song
- 3 - Saam
- 4 - Sii
- 5 - Haa
- 6 - Hok
- 7 - Jet
- 8 - Pae
- 9 - Kao
- 10 - Sip
- 20 - Sao
- 30 - Saam-sip
- 40 - Sii-sip
- 50 - Haa-sip
- 60 - Hok-sip
- 70 - Jet-sip
- 80 - Paet-sip
- 90 - Gao-sip
- 100 - Loi
- 1000 - Phan
- 10,000 - Meun, sip phan
- 100,000 - Saen, loi phan
- 1,000,000 - Laan
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