11 Beautiful Lao Words and Phrases We Need in English
This post was originally published on The Culture Trip. To read the original, click here.
Lao lends itself to idioms, double entendre and wordplay derived from tongue-in-cheek plays on the tonal language and the cheeky sense of humor that permeates the country. Learn 11 new Lao phrases that we’d do well to integrate into English.
ຮັກແພງກັນ / Hak Paeng Gan
Hak Paeng Gan is said by close friends after sitting around eating and drinking. It translates loosely to “I treasure our relationship,” or “I love you guys!”
ບໍ່ຕ້ອງຄິດຫຼາຍ / Bo Dtong Kit Lai
Bor tong kid laiy is the perfect phrase when the confusion and contradictions of Laos are driving you crazy. It translates as “don’t think too much” or “you shouldn’t think too much.”
ມ່ວນບໍ່ / Muan Baw?
Muan means enjoyment or fun but it’s more a state of being in Laos. Everything muan should be savored and time spent doing muan things increased (drinking, laughing, hanging out with friends.) Anything Baw Muan or not enjoyable, such as working too hard, should be minimized. Life in Laos should be muan.
ຢູ່ລ້າໆ / Yu La La
Literally Yu La La means “in the past” but it’s a euphemism meaning “nothing to do.” Use it when you have free time, are bored or doing some porch sitting, a favorite Lao pastime.
ຈັງໃດສ່ຽວ / Jung Dai Siew
Used with close friends or perhaps siblings Jung Dai Siew can be likened to calling out, “What’s up man?” as an informal salutation.
ເຫັນດີ / ເຫັນບໍ່ດີ / Hen Dee / Bo Hen Dee
Hen dee literally translates to “see good”, meaning to agree. On the flip side Bo Hen Dee translates to “not see good”, meaning to disagree.
ເຈັບ ອອດໆ ແອດໆ / Jep Od Od Et Et
Od Od Et Et is common among mature folks suffering from the aches and pains that are natural with aging. You have a back ache one day, the next day it’s your knee, then your head hurts.
ຂໍເງິນກິນເບຍ / Khor Ngun Kin Beer
Khor Ngun Kin Beer means “Can I please have some money to drink beer?” Lao people are known for their love of eat and drink. It’s an honest way to beg for some pocket change.
ຄັກຫລາຍ Khek lai
Khek lai is somewhat akin to “Awesome!”an is used when something is incredible or impressive, like your friend’s new motor bike or their sweet dance moves. Khek tay tay can be used alternatively and means the same thing.
ຝາດ Fadt
Fadt is a flavor category rarely if ever found in western food. It can be likened to astringent or acidic. Some tropical fruits and nuts make the mouth feel dry and tingly, sort of like the tannins in wine. This mouth feel has its own name in Lao and is desirable or “sep lai” (delicious).
ເງີງາກສາມລໍ້ / Ngeu Ngak Sam Law
Ngeu Ngak Sam Law translates literally as “three wheels” but means someone is zig-zagging around without knowing his or her way.
