How to speak basic Lao while travelling
Basic Lao for Travellers
Although travel comes with a language barrier, with dictionaries and apps that help you learn a language faster than ever available now, travellers are able to overcome this barrier to a certain extent. All you have to do is make the effort to learn a few phrases by making use of the technology at your fingertips. Here are a few phrases that will help you out if you are travelling to Laos.
A brief about the language
The Laotian language is called "Tai-Kadai" and is quite similar to Thai. It is quite interesting! If you can speak in Thai, the locals will understand what you are trying to convey without an issue. However, it's still better to study a few words and phrases in the Tai-Kadai as this will earn you some respect from the locals and they'll even be more obliged to help you...even if you get it wrong once in a while. Here are a few basics:
Please – Khâluna
Thank you – Khãwp Ja̖i
Sorry/excuse me – Khãw thôht
Yes – Jao
No – Baw
Maybe – Bangthi
I'm lost – Khoy lohng taang
Can you help me? – Suay khoy dai boh
Where is the restroom? – Hàwng nâm yuu sǎi?
I need a doctor – Khoy tong kan Maw
Never mind – Baw pen nyãng
Greetings in Tai-Kadai
The first thing you'll need to work on when learning a language is greetings. Use these when you meet someone or even when you arrive at Luang Prabang Laos hotels the likes of Avani+ Luang Prabang and you'll see them break into the widest grin ever! They are likely to feel overjoyed that you are attempting to speak their very own language. Try articulating the greetings below:
Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening – Ton sao
Hello – Sabaidee
How are you? – Sábaidee baw?
Goodbye! – La khãwn
For dining in Laos
Ordering food can be quite the ordeal when you've got to do so in another language. If you are the kind of person who doesn't mind experimenting with various kinds of food, then pick out your dish randomly and hope for the best. If you are picky, you'll have to learn a few words to get your order across correctly. Here are a few phrases to help you out when it comes to dining at local eateries.
A table for one person/two people, please – Dtho hai kon neung/song kon, nah
Not Spicy/ I don't like spice – Bo saï man phèt
I would like ___ – khoi yak ___
Delicious – Saep lai lai
The check, please – Chèk bin, kalounaa
Basics for shopping
You are definitely going to do some shopping in Laos in which case you will need to learn a few phrases to be on the safe side. Check out the phrases below:
How much does this cost? – Laka tao dai?
I can't afford it – Khoi seu baw dai
That's expensive! – Phaeng lai lai
Can you lower the price? – Lout lake daï bo?
For some street cred
Here are a few extra words and phrases that will help you out while finding your way on the streets.
One to ten in Tai-Kadai
Neung
Song
Saam
Sii
Haa
Hok
Jet
Paet
Kao
Sip
Reply to thank you – Baw pe̖n nyãng
Have a nice day! – Mu thidi!
How do you say ___ in Lao? – Phasaa lao ___ pe wa nyang?
Tips for the serious learner
If you really want to learn the language properly then you'll need to know the options available for you. Learning from magazines, the internet and even local books aren't recommended in this case as most of it might be in Thai. Instead, its always better to invest in lessons, especially if you will be staying in the country for 6 weeks or more. Don't forget to spend some time with the locals and practise, practise, practise!
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