Essential Lao Phrases

Sometimes you don't have time to learn long lists of words and phrases. All you want to know are the bare essentials for communicating to get what you need, or where you need to go.

Here are the bare minimum of Lao words and phrases you need to know to survive.

Learn the Top 10 Phrases if you only have time for the barest minimum. If you need or want more, then take a look at the Top 20 Phrases, Top 30 Phrases and the Extra Phrases.

If you need help with pronunciation,
please see the Pronunciation Guide below.

If you need help with the tones,
please see the Tone Guide below.

Here are ten easy phrases to get you started ...

The Top 10 ...

Sābaai-dii.

Hello.
Lāa kawn. (by the person leaving)
Sòhk dii. (by the person staying)
Goodbye.
Jào pàak phāasáa angkīt dài baw?
Do you speak English?
Baw khào jai.
I don't understand.
Nāwy neung.
A little.
Maan. Baw.
Yes. No.
Thao dai?

How much is it?
Phāeng phòht. Tōk lōng.
Too expensive. OK.
Kālunāa.
Please.
Khàp jai (lái lái).
Thank you (very much).

Here are ten more phrases that will help you make new friends and ask for directions ... The Top 20 ...
	Jào seu nyáng? What is your name? Khàwy seu ... My name is ... Sābaai-dii baw? How are you? Sābaai-dii. Jào deh? Good. And you? ... yuu sái? Where is ...? Hàwng nàam yuu sái? Phùu sáai/Mae nyíng Where is the toilet? Men/Women Kháw thòht. Sorry. Excuse me. Baw pen nyáng. Baw mīi panháa. No problem. Khàwy ao ... I want ... Khàwy baw ao ... I don't want ...

Here are another ten phrases to help you make a little more conversation and to get around ...

The Top 30 ...

Jào māa tae sai?
Where are you from?
Khàwy māa tae awsātaalīi.*
I am from Australia.
Khàw saek dae.
The bill, please.
Khàwy lóng thāang.
I am lost.
Jàwt! Thàa!
Stop! Wait!
Yuu nìi, yuu hàn.
Here, there.
Lot thaeksīi. Hōhng hāem. Doen bin. Sā-tháa-nīi.
Taxi. Hotel. Airport. Station.
Khàwy mak ...
I like ...
Khàwy baw mak ...
I don't like ...

neung, sáwng, sáam, sii, hàa.
one, two, three, four, five.
hōk, jēt, pàet, kào, sīp.
six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

*Or choose your country:
aamēhlikaa - America
kaanāadaa - Canada
angkīt - England
āilāen - Ireland
nīw sīilāen - New Zealand

Here are some extra words and phrases you might find useful, especially if you have dietary needs or allergies ...

Useful Extras ...

Deum!
Cheers!

dii / sua
good / bad
nyai / nàwy
big / small
kài / kai
near / far
nàwy kwaa / láai kwaa
less / more
ìik an neung / phāw
another / enough

Khàwy kin jeh.
Khàwy pen khōn kin jeh.
I am vegetarian.
Khàwy baw kin sìin sāt.
I don't eat meat.
... kai.
... chicken.
... paa.
... fish.

Khàwy phàe màak thua din.
I am allergic to peanuts.
... paa.
... fish.
... aaháan thalēh.
... seafood.
... khai.
... eggs.

Pronunciation Guide

Vowels:
ae indicates an open e (e as in pet) (ɛ)
eu indicates a u sound with the lips unrounded (ɯ)
oe indicates ur as in burn with the lips unrounded (ɤ)
h after a vowel lengthens that vowel

Consonants:
h adds a puff of air after the consonant, eg. ph = pʰ

Tone Guide:
There are 6 tones:
á indicates a rising tone, mid to mid high
ā indicates a high level tone, mid high
à indicates a high falling tone, high to mid
a indicates a mid level tone
a indicates a low level tone
à indicates a low falling tone, mid to low