How to speak basic Lao while travelling

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!