Lao grammar

Lao is generally a subject–verb–object language, but emphasis can move the object to the beginning of a sentence. The language lacks both agreement and case marking, but word order is very free, with predicate-argument relations determined largely through context. Lao is a right-branching language, much like other Southeast Asian languages and, to a lesser extent, Romance languages.

Politeness

Since Lao culture is stratified based on the age, occupation, wealth or clout of the speaker, one must afford differing amounts of respect based on the discrepancy between one person and another. That affects language as well; to make language more polite, more formal language, including of pronouns (which can otherwise be dropped) and more formal versions of them, and sentence-ending particles can be used. Also, ending particles also serve to soften and make one's speech more polite.

• ແດ່ (dé [dɛ̄ː])

In addition to ending most general statements and the softening of imperatives and requests, it is also used to intensify the meaning (especially of adjectives and adverbs) more politely, to make the use of demonstrative pronouns more polite, or to indicate a certain amount or some extent of something.

• ເດີ (deu [dɤ̀ː]) or ເດີ້ (deu [dɤ̂ː]) or ເດ (dè [dèː])

They are used as a more intensive version of ແດ່, thus giving requests and demands more urgency and are used for statements that tend to be more emphatic. They are, therefore, not as polite. ເດ also has the sense of and what about or to indicate an equivalent to this as a demonstrative pronoun.

Nouns

Nouns are not marked for plurality, gender, or declension but may be single or plural. Unlike in English, nouns are not marked with articles. Measure words or classifiers (ລັກສະໜະນາມ, laksana naam [lāk sā.náʔ náːm]) are often used to express plurals, as classifiers must be used to count objects, but the noun itself remains unchanged.

Verbs of physical action are easily converted into nouns by adding ການ (kan [kàːn]) before the verb. Abstract actions and adjectives use ຄວາມ (khwam [kʰúam]) instead.

ex:

ເດີນທາງ

deunthang

[dɤ̀ːn tʰáːŋ]

to travel (v.)

 

 

 

nominalised into

ການເດີນທາງ

kan deunthang

[kàːn dɤ̀ːn tʰáːŋ]

travel (n.)

ເດີນທາງ {} ການເດີນທາງ

deunthang {} {kan deunthang}

[dɤ̀ːn tʰáːŋ] {} [kàːn dɤ̀ːn tʰáːŋ]

{to travel (v.)} {nominalised into} {travel (n.)}

ex:

ຄຶດ

khuet

[kʰɯ̄t]

to think (v.)

 

 

 

nominalised into

ຄວາມຄຶດ

khoam khuet

[kʰuám kʰɯ̄t]

thought (n.)

ຄຶດ {} ຄວາມຄຶດ

khuet {} {khoam khuet}

[kʰɯ̄t] {} [kʰuám kʰɯ̄t]

{to think (v.)} {nominalised into} {thought (n.)}

ex:

ດີ

di

/diː/

good (adj.)

 

 

 

nominalised into

ຄວາມດີ

khoam di

[kʰuám dìː]

goodness (n.)

ດີ {} ຄວາມດີ

di {} {khoam di}

/diː/ {} [kʰuám dìː]

{good (adj.)} {nominalised into} {goodness (n.)}

Pronouns

Pronoun	BGN/PCGN	IPA	Meaning
ຂ້ອຍ	khoy	[kʰɔ̏j]	I/me (general)
ຂ້ານ້ອຍ	khanoy	[kʰȁː nɔ̂ːj]	I/me (formal)
ຂ້າ	kha	[kʰȁː]	I/me (informal)
ເຮົາ	hao	[háw]	we/us
ເຈົ້າ	chao	[t͡ɕâw]	you (general)
ທ່ານ	than	[tʰāːn]	you (very formal)
ສູ	sou	[sǔː]	you (informal)
ເຂົາ	khao	[kʰǎw]	he/him/she/her (formal, general)
ລາວ	lao	[láːw]	he/him/she/her (very informal)
ເພິ່ນ	pheun	[pʰɤn]	he/him/she/her (very formal)
ມັນ	man	[mán]	it (very rude if used on a person)

Pronouns (ສັບພະນາມ, sap pha nam [sáp pʰā.náːm]) are often dropped in informal contexts and replaced with nicknames or kinship terms, depending on the relation of the speaker spoken to (sometimes even spoken about). Pronouns can change based on register of speech, including the obsolete royal and the formal, informal and vulgar. In more formal language, pronouns are more often retained and more formal ones used. Pronouns can be pluralized by adding ພວກ (phuak [pʰûak]) in front: ພວກເຈົ້າ ([pʰûak.t͡ɕâw]) for "you plural". Age and status determine usage. Younger children's names are often prefixed with ບັກ (bak [bāk]) and ອີ (i [ʔìː]), respectively. Slightly older children are addressed to or have their names prefixed with ອ້າຍ (ai [ʔâːj]) and ເອື້ອຍ (èw-ai [ʔɯâj]), respectively, but ພີ່ (phi [pʰīː]) is also common. Much older people may be politely dressed as aunt, uncle, mother, father, or even grandmother or grandfather, depending on their age. In a company setting, one's title is often used.

Demonstrative pronouns

Demonstrative Pronoun	BGN/PCGN	IPA	Meaning
ນີ້	ni	[nîː]	this
ນັ້ນ	nan	[nân]	that
ເຫຼົ່ານີ້	lao ni	[lāw nīː]	these
ເຫຼົ່ານັ້ນ	lao nan	[lāw nân]	those

Verbs

Lao verbs (ກະລິຍາ, karigna [kā.lī ɲáː]) are not conjugated for tense, mood, or person. Tense is indicated by using time reference words, such as yesterday, next year, just now or by certain particles. Nouns that begin with ການ (kan [kàːn]) or ຄວາມ (khwam [kʰúam]), often nominalised verbs, become verbs again when those particles are dropped.

Copula

Lao has two forms of the verb to be, ເປັນ (pèn [pèn]) and ແມ່ນ (maen [mɛ̄n]) which are somewhat interchangeable. As a general rule, the latter is not used to describe people.

ex:

ນົກ

Nok

Nok

ເປັນ

pen

be

ໝໍ

mo

doctor

ນົກ ເປັນ ໝໍ

Nok pen mo

Nok be doctor

Nok is a doctor.

ex:

ນັ້ນ

Nan

That

ບໍ່

bo

not

ແມ່ນ

mèn

be

ເຮືອ

heua

boat.

ນັ້ນ ບໍ່ ແມ່ນ ເຮືອ

Nan bo mèn heua

That not be boat.

That is not a boat.

Tense

In a general, in a short Lao sentence, the verb is often not marked for tense and can be taken from context, with words such as yesterday, tomorrow, later, etc. If the subject of when the events occurred is already known, they can also be left out and inferred from dialogue. However, there are several ways to mark tense in Lao:

Past

The most common way to indicate a completed action is to end a statement with ແລ້ວ (lèw [lɛ̂ːw]). That can also be used to indicate events that occurred in the recent past. One can also use the particle ໄດ້ (dai [dâj]) preceding the verb, alone or in conjunction with ແລ້ວ, although this is less common and often used in negative statements and never for a continuous action.

ex:

ແບ້

bae

[bɛ̂ː

ລົງ

long

lóŋ

ມາ

ma

máː

ຈາກ

chak

t͡ɕàːk

ພູ

phou

pʰúː

ແລ້ວ

laew

lɛ̂ːw]

ແບ້ ລົງ ມາ ຈາກ ພູ ແລ້ວ

bae long ma chak phou laew

[bɛ̂ː lóŋ máː t͡ɕàːk pʰúː lɛ̂ːw]

'The goat (just) came down from the mountain.'

ex:

ແບ້

bae

[bɛ̂ː

ບໍ່

bo

bɔ̄ː

ໄດ້

dai

dâj

ລົງ

long

lóŋ

ມາ

ma

máː

ຈາກ

chak

t͡ɕàːk

ພູ

phou

pʰúː

ແລ້ວ

laew

lɛ̂ːw]

ແບ້ ບໍ່ ໄດ້ ລົງ ມາ ຈາກ ພູ ແລ້ວ

bae bo dai long ma chak phou laew

[bɛ̂ː bɔ̄ː dâj lóŋ máː t͡ɕàːk pʰúː lɛ̂ːw]

'The goat did not come down from the mountain.'

Future

There are two markers used to indicate actions to be completed in the future, ຊິ (si [sī]) and ຈະ (cha [t͡ɕáʔ]). Both of these always precede the verb. To indicate that something is just about to happen, one can say ກຳລັງຈະ (kamlang cha [kàm.láŋ t͡ɕá]).

ex:

ຄົນ

khon

[kʰón

ນາ

na

náː

ຈະ

cha

tɕáʔ

ກິນ

kin

kìn

ເຂົ້າ

khao

kʰȁw

ໜຽວ

nio

nǐaw]

ຄົນ ນາ ຈະ ກິນ ເຂົ້າ ໜຽວ

khon na cha kin khao nio

[kʰón náː tɕáʔ kìn kʰȁw nǐaw]

'The farmer will eat sticky rice.'

ex:

ຄົນ

khon

[kʰón

ນາ

na

náː

ຊິ

si

sī

ກິນ

kin

kìn

ເຂົ້າ

khao

kʰȁw

ໜຽວ

nio

nǐaw]

ຄົນ ນາ ຊິ ກິນ ເຂົ້າ ໜຽວ

khon na si kin khao nio

[kʰón náː sī kìn kʰȁw nǐaw]

'The farmer will eat sticky rice.'

ex:

ຄົນ

khon

[kʰón

ນາ

na

náː

ກຳລັງຈະ

kamlang cha

kàm.láŋ tɕáʔ

ກິນ

kin

kìn

ເຂົ້າ

khao

kʰàw

ໜຽວ

nio

nǐaw]

ຄົນ ນາ ກຳລັງຈະ ກິນ ເຂົ້າ ໜຽວ

khon na {kamlang cha} kin khao nio

[kʰón náː {kàm.láŋ tɕáʔ} kìn kʰàw nǐaw]

'The farmer is just about to eat sticky rice.'

Progressive

Although no particle is generally needed to mark a present progressive statement, Lao uses three, ພວມ (phuam [pʰuám]) and ກຳລັງ (kamlang [kàm.láŋ]) before the verb, ຢູ່ (yu [jūː]) after it.

ex:

ເດັກ

dèk

[dék

ພວມ

phouam

pʰúam

ນອນ

non

nɔ́ːn]

ເດັກ ພວມ ນອນ

dèk phouam non

[dék pʰúam nɔ́ːn]

'The baby is (still/currently) sleeping.'

ex:

ເດັກ

dèk

[dék

ກຳລັງ

kamlang

kam̀.láŋ

ນອນ

non

nɔ́ːn]

ເດັກ ກຳລັງ ນອນ

dèk kamlang non

[dék kam̀.láŋ nɔ́ːn]

'The baby is (still/currently) sleeping.'

ex:

ເດັກ

dèk

[dék

ນອນຢູ່

non-you

nɔ́ːn jūː]

ເດັກ ນອນຢູ່

dèk non-you

[dék {nɔ́ːn jūː}]

'The baby is (still/currently) sleeping.'

Modal verbs

Modal or auxiliary verbs (ວິກະຕິກະລິຍາ, vikatikaligna) are verbs that serve auxiliary function, such as want, obligation or need like English ought to, should, must, can, etc.

Obligation

ຄວນ (khouan [kʰuán]) Should, ought to

ex:

ຂະເຈົ້າ

khachao

they.FORMAL

ຄວນ

khouan

should

ເວົ້າ

vao

speak

ກັບ

gap

with

ເຈົ້າແຂວງ

chao khwaeng

governor.

ຂະເຈົ້າ ຄວນ ເວົ້າ ກັບ ເຈົ້າແຂວງ

khachao khouan vao gap {chao khwaeng}

they.FORMAL should speak with governor.

They should speak with the governor.

ex:

ເຈົ້າ

Chao

you

ຄວນ

khouan

should

ນົບ

nop

bow

ເມື່ອ

meu

when

ທ່ານ

than

mister

ສະມິຖ

samit

Smith

ເຂົ້າ

khao

enter

ມາ

ma

come.

ເຈົ້າ ຄວນ ນົບ ເມື່ອ ທ່ານ ສະມິຖ ເຂົ້າ ມາ

Chao khouan nop meu than samit khao ma

you should bow when mister Smith enter come.

You ought to nop (bow) when Mr. Smith comes inside.

Need

ຕ້ອງ (tong [tɔ̂ŋ]) to need, must.
When the need is a noun, ຕ້ອງການ (tong kan [tɔ̂ŋ kàːn]) is used instead.

ex:

ມື້

meu

[mɯ̂ː

day

ນີ້

ni

nîː

this

ຕ້ອງ

tong

tɔ̂ŋ

must

ໄປ

bai

pàj

go (v)

ເຮັດ

het

hēt

do (v)

ນາ

na

náː]

field

ມື້ ນີ້ ຕ້ອງ ໄປ ເຮັດ ນາ

meu ni tong bai het na

[mɯ̂ː nîː tɔ̂ŋ pàj hēt náː]

day this must {go (v)} {do (v)} field

'Today, I must till the fields.'

ex:

ຊ່າງຄຳ

Sangkham

[sāːŋ kʰám

jeweller

ຕ້ອງການ

tong kan

tɔ̂ŋ kàːn

must+ການ (v)

ຄຳ

kham

kʰám]

gold

ຊ່າງຄຳ ຕ້ອງການ ຄຳ

Sangkham {tong kan} kham

[{sāːŋ kʰám} {tɔ̂ŋ kàːn} kʰám]

jeweller {must+ການ (v)} gold

'The jeweller needs gold.'

Want

ຢາກ, yak [jȁːk], to want, to desire
Used to express a want or desire. When this is a noun, then the form ຢາກໄດ້ (yak dai [jȁːk dâj]) or the common verb ເອົາ (ao [àw]) is used instead, but the latter is not as polite.

ex:

ເອື້ອຍ

Euy

[ʔɯ̂aj

older sister

ຢາກ

yak

jȁːk

want

ໄປ

pai

pàj

go

ວຽງຈັນ

Vientiane

wíaŋ.t͡ɕàn]

Vientiane

ເອື້ອຍ ຢາກ ໄປ ວຽງຈັນ

Euy yak pai Vientiane

[ʔɯ̂aj jȁːk pàj wíaŋ.t͡ɕàn]

{older sister} want go Vientiane

'Older sister wants to go to Vientiane.'

ex:

ເອື້ອຍ

Euy

[ɯ̂aj

older sister

ຢາກ

yak

jȁːk

want

ໄດ້

dai

dâj

ໄດ້

ຜົວ

phoua

pʰǔa

husband

ວຽງຈັນ

Vientiane

wiáŋ.t͡ɕàn]

Vientiane

ເອື້ອຍ ຢາກ ໄດ້ ຜົວ ວຽງຈັນ

Euy yak dai phoua Vientiane

[ɯ̂aj jȁːk dâj pʰǔa wiáŋ.t͡ɕàn]

{older sister} want ໄດ້ husband Vientiane

'Older sister wants a husband from Vientiane.'

ex:

ເອົາ

ao

[àw

want (v)

ຕຳຫມາກຫຸ່ງ

tammakhoung

tàm.mȁːk.hūŋ

papaya salad

ທີ່

thi

tʰīː

CL

ນຶ່ງ

neung

nɯ̄ŋ

one

ບໍ່

bo

bɔ̄ː

no

ໃສ່

sai

sāj

add (v)

ປາແດກ

padèk

pàː.dɛ̏ːk]

Lao fish sauce

ເອົາ ຕຳຫມາກຫຸ່ງ ທີ່ ນຶ່ງ ບໍ່ ໃສ່ ປາແດກ

ao tammakhoung thi neung bo sai padèk

[àw tàm.mȁːk.hūŋ tʰīː nɯ̄ŋ bɔ̄ː sāj pàː.dɛ̏ːk]

{want (v)} {papaya salad} CL one no {add (v)} {Lao fish sauce}

I want one dish of papaya salad without padaek.

Can, be able to

ໄດ້ (dai [dâj]) to get, to have, to be able to
That is used to indicate the ability to do something. It is the closest Lao word for the English verb can and in requests when English speakers would use may. When used in that sense, it follows the verb; before the verb, the meaning changes to to get or to have.

ex:

ຜູ້ເຖົ້າ

phou thao

[pʰȕː.tʰȁw

old man

ຍ່າງ

gnang

ɲāːŋ

walk (v)

ສິບຫ້າ

sip ha

síp hȁː

fifteen

ກິໂລເມ້ດ

kilomet

kī.lóː.mēt

kilometer

ໄດ້

dai

dâ]

can (v)

ຜູ້ເຖົ້າ ຍ່າງ ສິບຫ້າ ກິໂລເມ້ດ ໄດ້

{phou thao} gnang {sip ha} kilomet dai

[{pʰȕː.tʰȁw} ɲāːŋ {síp hȁː} kī.lóː.mēt dâ]

{old man} {walk (v)} fifteen kilometer {can (v)}

'The old man can walk fifteen kilometres.

ex:

ຂ້ານ້ອຍ

khanoy

[kʰȁː.nɔ̂ːj

I

ຊ່ວຍ

soi

sɔ̄ːj

help (v)

ທ່ານ

than

tʰāːn

you (formal)

ໄດ້

dai

dâj

can

ບໍ່

bo

bɔ̄ː]

INTERR

ຂ້ານ້ອຍ ຊ່ວຍ ທ່ານ ໄດ້ ບໍ່

khanoy soi than dai bo

[kʰȁː.nɔ̂ːj sɔ̄ːj tʰāːn dâj bɔ̄ː]

I {help (v)} {you (formal)} can INTERR

'May I help you?'

ເປັນ (pèn [pèn]) to be, to be able to
In addition to being a verb for the copula, it can also be used to indicate that one can do something because of knowing how to do it.

ex:

ຄົນ

Khon

[kʰón

person

ຝະຫຼັ່ງ

farang

fā.rāŋ

French

ເສດ

 

sȅːt

speak (v)

ປາກ

pak

pȁːk

language

ພາສາ

phasa

pʰáː.sǎː

Lao

ລາວ

lao

láːw

language

ເປັນ

pen

pen]

can

ຄົນ ຝະຫຼັ່ງ ເສດ ປາກ ພາສາ ລາວ ເປັນ

Khon farang {} pak phasa lao pen

[kʰón fā.rāŋ sȅːt pȁːk pʰáː.sǎː láːw pen]

person French {speak (v)} language Lao language can

'The Frenchman (can/knows how to) speak the Lao language.'

ex:

ຄັນທັບ

Khanthap

[kʰán.tʰāp

court dancer

ປະໂຄມ

pakhom

pā.kʰóːm

play (v)

ພິນ

phin

pʰín

lute

ເປັນ

pen

pèn

can

ດ້ວຍ

duay

duâj]

also

ຄັນທັບ ປະໂຄມ ພິນ ເປັນ ດ້ວຍ

Khanthap pakhom phin pen duay

[kʰán.tʰāp pā.kʰóːm pʰín pèn duâj]

{court dancer} {play (v)} lute can also

The court dancer (can/knows how to) play the lute.

ສາມາດ...ໄດ້ (samat...dai [sǎː mâːt ... dâj]) to be able to, to be possible
It functions much like can but with the sense of being physically possible to do.

ex:

ເດັກ

dek

[dék

child

ຜູ້ຊາຍ

phousai

pʰȕː.sáːj

boy

ບໍ່

bo

bɔ̄ː

not

ສາມາດ

samat

sǎː.mâːt

can

ຍົກ

gnok

ɲōk

lift (v)

ໂຕ

to

tòː

CL

ຄວາຍ

khwai

kʰuáj

water buffalo

ຂຶ້ນ

kun

kʰɯ̏n

upward

ໄດ້

dai

dâj]

ໄດ້.

ເດັກ ຜູ້ຊາຍ ບໍ່ ສາມາດ ຍົກ ໂຕ ຄວາຍ ຂຶ້ນ ໄດ້

dek phousai bo samat gnok to khwai kun dai

[dék pʰȕː.sáːj bɔ̄ː sǎː.mâːt ɲōk tòː kʰuáj kʰɯ̏n dâj]

child boy not can {lift (v)} CL {water buffalo} upward ໄດ້.

'The boy cannot lift a water buffalo.'

Enter, join

ເຂົ້າ, khao [kʰȁw], to enter, to join, to participate
Used to indicate movement from one place to another inside, such as a house or building.

ex:

ເຮົາ

hao

[háw

We

ເຂົ້າ

khao

kʰàw

enter

ໄປ

bai

paj

go

ເຮືອນ

heuan

hɯán]

house

ເຮົາ ເຂົ້າ ໄປ ເຮືອນ

hao khao bai heuan

[háw kʰàw paj hɯán]

We enter go house

'We go into the house.'

Recipiency

ໃຫ້, hai [hȁj] to give, to permit, to let
Used to indicate that the verb is intended for someone or something else or to express a desire, a wish, or a command.

ex:

ຂໍ

Kho

[kʰɔ̌ː

request

ໃຫ້

hai

hȁj

give

ມີ

mi

míː

have

ໂຊກ

sok

sôːk

luck

ດີ

di

dìː]

good

ຂໍ ໃຫ້ ມີ ໂຊກ ດີ

Kho hai mi sok di

[kʰɔ̌ː hȁj míː sôːk dìː]

request give have luck good

'I wish (to/for) you good luck.'

ex:

ດອກ

Dok

[dɔ̏ːk

flower

ກຸຫຼາບ

kulap

kū.lȁːp

rose

ນີ້

ni

nîː

this

ຢາກ

yak

jȁːk

want

ໃຫ້

hai

hàj

give

 

 

nîː

 

ເຈົ້າ

jao

t͡ɕâw

you

ມີ

mi

míː]

have

ດອກ ກຸຫຼາບ ນີ້ ຢາກ ໃຫ້ {} ເຈົ້າ ມີ

Dok kulap ni yak hai {} jao mi

[dɔ̏ːk kū.lȁːp nîː jȁːk hàj nîː t͡ɕâw míː]

flower rose this want give {} you have

'This flower I want (to/for) you to have it.'

Affirmation and negation

To say no is as simple as saying ບໍ່ (bo [bɔ̄ː]), and negation simply involves placing that word in front of the verb, adjective, adverb, or noun to be negated. To say yes, especially to indicate that one is listening, one uses ໂດຍ (doi [dòːj]), especially in formal situations, or ເຈົ້າ (chao [t͡ɕâw]). To answer a question, one often repeats the verb of action that was used in the question to indicate that that action was or will be completed. One can also use ແມ່ນ (mén [mɛ̄n]), especially if the question had ແມ່ນ, as an element of the interrogative particle.

Adverbs and adjectives

Little distinction can be made between adjectives and adverbs, as any adjective that could logically be used to modify a verb can also be used as an adverb. They are often duplicated to indicate a superlative and can even be modified like verbs, mainly by the lack of a copula to link the object and adjective/adverb. Adjectives come after the noun.

ex:

ຊ້າງ

Sang

[sâːŋ

elephant

ຊ້າ

sa

sâː]

slow

ຊ້າງ ຊ້າ

Sang sa

[sâːŋ sâː]

elephant slow

'A slow elephant.'

ex:

ໄປ

Bai

[baj

ບ້ານ

ban

bâːn

ຊ້າ

sa

sâː

ໆ

saa

sâː]

ໄປ ບ້ານ ຊ້າ ໆ

Bai ban sa saa

[baj bâːn sâː sâː]

'Go to the village slowly.'

ex:

ສາວ

Sao

[sǎːw

ງາມ

ngam

ŋáːm

ທີ່

thi

tʰīː

ໄວ

wai

wáj]

ສາວ ງາມ ທີ່ ໄວ

Sao ngam thi wai

[sǎːw ŋáːm tʰīː wáj]

'A lady who becomes pretty quickly.'

ex:

ບ່າວ

Bao

[bāːw

ທີ່

thi

tʰīː

ຊິ

si

sī

ໂກ້

ko

kôː]

ບ່າວ ທີ່ ຊິ ໂກ້

Bao thi si ko

[bāːw tʰīː sī kôː]

'A boy who will be handsome.'

Equivalence, comparatives, and superlatives

To indicate that something is the same, one uses ຄືກັນ (khu kan [kʰɯ́ː kàn]). To indicate that one is similar to something else, one uses ຄືກັບ (khu kap [kʰɯ́ː káp]).

ex:

ພາສາ

Phasa

[pʰáː.sǎː

ລາວ

lao

láːw

ແລະ

lae

lɛ̄ʔ

ພາສາ

phasa

pʰáː.sǎː

ອີສານ

isan

ìː.sǎːn

 

phasa

 

ຄື

khu

kʰɯ́ː

ກັນ

kan

kàn]

ພາສາ ລາວ ແລະ ພາສາ ອີສານ {} ຄື ກັນ

Phasa lao lae phasa isan phasa khu kan

[pʰáː.sǎː láːw lɛ̄ʔ pʰáː.sǎː ìː.sǎːn {} kʰɯ́ː kàn]

'The Lao language and the Isan language are the same.'

ex:

ອາຫານ

Ahan

[ʔàː.hǎːn

ຈີນ

chin

t͡ɕìːn

ບໍ່

bo

bɔ̄ː

ຄື

khu

kʰɯ́ː

ກັບ

kap

káp

ອາຫານ

ahan

ʔàː.hǎːn

ລາວ

lao

láːw]

ອາຫານ ຈີນ ບໍ່ ຄື ກັບ ອາຫານ ລາວ

Ahan chin bo khu kap ahan lao

[ʔàː.hǎːn t͡ɕìːn bɔ̄ː kʰɯ́ː káp ʔàː.hǎːn láːw]

'Chinese cuisine is not the same as Lao cuisine.'

Comparatives take the form "A ກວ່າ (kwa [kuā]) B", or A is more than B. The superlative is expressed by "A ທີ່ສຸດ (thisut [tʰīː sút])", or A is the best. All adjectives can be altered in this way:

ex:

ຜອງ

pong

[pʰɔ̌ːŋ]

tall

+

+

+

+

ກວ່າ

kwa

/kuāː/

COMP

=

=

=

=

ຜອງກວ່າ

pong kwa

[pʰɔ̌ːŋ kūa]

taller

ຜອງ + ກວ່າ = ຜອງກວ່າ

pong + kwa = {pong kwa}

[pʰɔ̌ːŋ] + /kuāː/ = {[pʰɔ̌ːŋ kūa]}

tall + COMP = taller

ex:

ນ້ອຍ

noy

/nɔ̂ːj/

small

+

+

+

+

ກວ່າ

kwa

/kuāː/

COMP

=

=

=

=

ນ້ອຍກວ່າ

noy kwa

[nɔ̂ːj kūa]

smaller

ນ້ອຍ + ກວ່າ = ນ້ອຍກວ່າ

noy + kwa = {noy kwa}

/nɔ̂ːj/ + /kuāː/ = {[nɔ̂ːj kūa]}

small + COMP = smaller

ex:

ຄູ

Khou

[kʰúː

ປ່ອ

pong

pɔ̄ːŋ

ງກວ່າ

kwa

kūa

ນັກຮຽນ

nak hian

nāk.hían]

ຄູ ປ່ອ ງກວ່າ ນັກຮຽນ

Khou pong kwa {nak hian}

[kʰúː pɔ̄ːŋ kūa nāk.hían]

'The teacher is smarter than the student.'

ex:

ສາວ

Sao

[sǎːw

ນັ້ນ

nan

nân

ງາມ

ngam

ŋáːm

ທີ່ສຸດ

thisut

tʰīː.sút]

ສາວ ນັ້ນ ງາມ ທີ່ສຸດ

Sao nan ngam thisut

[sǎːw nân ŋáːm tʰīː.sút]

'That lady is the prettiest.'

Questions

Lao uses special tag words at the beginning or the end of the sentence to indicate a question, so the modern use of the question mark (?) is redundant.

Yes–no questions end in ບໍ່ (bo [bɔ̄ː]), but Lao also has other sentence interrogative finals that indicate whether or not the speaker expects an answer, knows the answer to be expected, will be surprised, or is rhetorically asking a question, but they are generally used only in conversational settings.

ex:

ສະບາຽ

sabai

[sā.bàːj

ດີ

di

dìː

ບໍ່

bo

bɔ̄ː]

ສະບາຽ ດີ ບໍ່

sabai di bo

[sā.bàːj dìː bɔ̄ː]

'Are you well?'

Other common interrogatives
Who? ຜູ້ໃດ (phoudai [pʰȕː dàj]) and its common short form ໃຜ (phai [pʰǎj])

ex:

ຜູ້ໃດ

phoudai

[pʰȕː dàj

who.INTERR

ຂາຽ

khai

kʰǎːj

sell (v)

ໄຂ່

khai

kʰāj

egg

ໄກ່

kai

kāj]

chicken

ຜູ້ໃດ ຂາຽ ໄຂ່ ໄກ່

phoudai khai khai kai

[{pʰȕː dàj} kʰǎːj kʰāj kāj]

who.INTERR {sell (v)} egg chicken

'Who sells chicken eggs?'

ex:

ໃຜ

phai

[pʰǎj

who.INTERR

ກັບໄປ

kap pai

káp pàj

leave for (v)

ຈຳປາສັກ

Champassak

t͡ɕàm.pàː.sák]

Champassak

ໃຜ ກັບໄປ ຈຳປາສັກ

phai {kap pai} Champassak

[pʰǎj {káp pàj} t͡ɕàm.pàː.sák]

who.INTERR {leave for (v)} Champassak

'Who left for Champassak?'

What? ຈັ່ງໃດ (changdai [t͡ɕāŋ.dàj]) and its common short form ຫຽັງ (gnang [ɲǎŋ])

ex:

ອາວ

Ao

[ʔàːw

uncle

ຢາກ

yak

jȁːk

want (v)

ເບິ່ງ

beung

bɤ̄ŋ

watch (v)

ຫຽັງ

gnang

ɲăŋ]

what.INTERR

ອາວ ຢາກ ເບິ່ງ ຫຽັງ

Ao yak beung gnang

[ʔàːw jȁːk bɤ̄ŋ ɲăŋ]

uncle {want (v)} {watch (v)} what.INTERR

'What does Uncle want to watch?'

ex:

ເຮັດ

het

[hēt

do (v)

ຈັ່ງໃດ

changdai

t͡ɕāŋ.dàj]

what.INTERR

ເຮັດ ຈັ່ງໃດ

het changdai

[hēt t͡ɕāŋ.dàj]

{do (v)} what.INTERR

'What are you doing?'

Where? ໃສ (sai [săj])

ex:

ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ

louang Phabang

[luǎːŋ pʰā.bàːŋ

Luang Phrabang

ຢູ່

you

jūː

to be at (v)

ໃສ

sai

sǎj]

where.INTERR

ຫຼວງພຣະບາງ ຢູ່ ໃສ

{louang Phabang} you sai

[{luǎːŋ pʰā.bàːŋ} jūː sǎj]

{Luang Phrabang} {to be at (v)} where.INTERR

'Where is Luang Phrabang?'

When? ເມື່ອໃດ (mua dai [mɯ̄a dàj]), and many others.
There are numerous ways to ask when something will occur, many of which are formed by adding ໃດ (dai /dàj/) which after a noun marking time, e.g., ເວລາໃດ (vela dai [wéː láː dàj]), ຍາມໃດ (gnam dai [ɲáːm dàj]), and ປານໃດ (pan dai [pàːn dài]).

ex:

ເມື່ອໃດ

mua dai

[mɯ̄a dàj

When.INTERR

ຊິ

si

si

FUT

ໄປ

pai

paj

go (v)

ປາກເຊ

Pakxe

pȁːk séː]

Pakxe

ເມື່ອໃດ ຊິ ໄປ ປາກເຊ

{mua dai} si pai Pakxe

[{mɯ̄a dàj} si paj {pȁːk séː}]

When.INTERR FUT {go (v)} Pakxe

'When will you go to Pakxe?'

Why? ເປັນຈັ່ງໃດ (pen changdai [pèn t͡ɕāŋ.dàj])
The phrase by itself can also mean What's wrong?, but can also ask why or for what reason a condition is occurring.

ex:

ເປັນຈັ່ງໃດ

pen changdai

[pèn t͡ɕāŋ.dàj

why.INTERR

ຄົນຫາປາ

khon ha pa

kʰón hǎː pàː

fisherman

 

pen

 

 

ຊົບເຊົາອີ່ຫຼີ່

sop sao ili

sōp sáw ʔīː.lǐː]

sad really

ເປັນຈັ່ງໃດ ຄົນຫາປາ {} ຊົບເຊົາອີ່ຫຼີ່

{pen changdai} {khon ha pa} pen {sop sao ili}

{[pèn t͡ɕāŋ.dàj} {kʰón hǎː pàː} {} {sōp sáw ʔīː.lǐː]}

why.INTERR fisherman {} {sad really}

'Why is the fisherman really sad?'

How?
ແນວໃດ (nèw dai [nɛ́ːw dàj])
There are numerous ways to ask how?, some interchangeable with Lao equivalents for what? and why? but in the sense of how something is accomplished or done, one can also use ເຊັ່ນໃດ (sen dai [sēn.dàj]), ຢ່າງໃດ (yang dai [jāːŋ dàj]) or ດັ່ງໃດ (dang dai [dāŋ.dàj]).

ex:

ເຮັດ

het

[hēt

do (v)

ແນວໃດ

nèw dai

nɛ́ːw dàj]

how.INTERR

ເຮັດ ແນວໃດ

het {nèw dai}

[hēt {nɛ́ːw dàj}]

{do (v)} how.INTERR

How does one do it?'

How Much/Many? (General Things) ຈັກ (chak [t͡ɕák])

ex:

ບາດ

bat

/bȁːt

Now

ນີ້

ni

nīː

here [right now]

ຈັກ

chak

tʃák

how many

ຄົນ

khon

khón

people

ໄປ

pai

paj

go (v)

ສູ່ຂວັນ

sukhwan

sūːkʰwǎːn/

baisi ceremony

ບາດ ນີ້ ຈັກ ຄົນ ໄປ ສູ່ຂວັນ

bat ni chak khon pai sukhwan

/bȁːt nīː tʃák khón paj sūːkʰwǎːn/

Now {here [right now]} {how many} people {go (v)} {baisi ceremony}

'How many people attend the baisi ceremony?'

How Much? (Price) ເທົ່າໃດ (thao dai [tʰāw dàj]) or its variant ທໍ່ໃດ (tho dai [tʰɔ̄ː dàj])

ex:

ສິ້ນ

sin

[sȉn

skirt

ສີ

si

sǐː

colour

ແດງ

dèng

dɛ̀ːŋ

red

ນີ້

ni

nī

this

ເທົ່າໃດ

thao dai

tʰāw.dàj]

how much.INTERR

ສິ້ນ ສີ ແດງ ນີ້ ເທົ່າໃດ

sin si dèng ni {thao dai}

[sȉn sǐː dɛ̀ːŋ nī {tʰāw.dàj]}

skirt colour red this {how much.INTERR}

'How much is this red skirt?'

Right? Correct? ແມ່ນບໍ່ (mèn bo [mɛ̄n bɔ̄ː])

ex:

ພຣະຍານາກ

Phagna Nak

[pʰā.ɲáː nâːk

Dragon

ພັກ

 

 

 

ອາໄສ

you

jūː

inhabit

ນ້ຳຂອງ

nam khong

nâːm kʰɔ̌ːŋ

river Mekong

ແມ່ນບໍ່

mèn bo

mɛ̄n bɔ̄ː]

correct.INTERR

ພຣະຍານາກ ພັກ ອາໄສ ນ້ຳຂອງ ແມ່ນບໍ່

{Phagna Nak} {} you {nam khong} {mèn bo}

{[pʰā.ɲáː nâːk} {} jūː {nâːm kʰɔ̌ːŋ} {mɛ̄n bɔ̄ː]}

Dragon {} inhabit {river Mekong} correct.INTERR

'The Dragon is in the Mekong, right?'

Already? Yet? ແລ້ວບໍ່ (lèw bo /lɛ̂ːw bɔ̄ː/)

ex:

ທານ

than

[tʰáːn

eat

ເຂົ້າ

khao

kʰȁw

rice

ແລ້ວບໍ່

lèw bo

lɛ̂ːw bɔ̄ː]

yet INTERR

ທານ ເຂົ້າ ແລ້ວບໍ່

than khao {lèw bo}

[tʰáːn kʰȁw {lɛ̂ːw bɔ̄ː]}

eat rice {yet INTERR}

'Have you eaten yet?'

Or not? ຫຼືບໍ່ (lu bo /lɯ̀ bɔ̄ː/)

ex:

ອ້າຽ

ai

[ʔâːj

older brother

ຢາກ

yak

jȁːk

want

ໄດ້

dai

dâj

ໄດ້

ເມັຽ

mia

mía

wife

ດີ

di

dìː

good

ຫຼືບໍ່

lu bo

lɯ̀ː bɔ̄ː]

or not.INTERR

ອ້າຽ ຢາກ ໄດ້ ເມັຽ ດີ ຫຼືບໍ່

ai yak dai mia di {lu bo}

[ʔâːj jȁːk dâj mía dìː {lɯ̀ː bɔ̄ː]}

{older brother} want ໄດ້ wife good {or not.INTERR}

'Does older brother want a good wife or not?'

Eh? ຫຼື (lu /lɯ̀/)
This is a rather informal interrogative particle equivalent to English eh? or hmm? or huh?.

ex:

ສະບາຍດີ

sabai di

[sā.bàːj dìː

be well (v)

ຫຼື

lu

lɯ̀]

huh.INTERR

ສະບາຍດີ ຫຼື

{sabai di} lu

{[sā.bàːj dìː} lɯ̀]

{be well (v)} huh.INTERR

'You okay, huh?

Answers to questions usually just involve repetition of the verb and any nouns for clarification.

• Question: ສະບາຍດີບໍ່ (sabai di bo [sā.bàːj dìː bɔ̄ː]) Are you well?
• Response: ສະບາຍດີ (sabai di [sā.bàːj dìː]) I am well or ບໍ່ສະບາຍ (bo sabai [bɔ̄ː sā.bàːj]) I am not well.

Words asked with a negative can be confusing and should be avoided. The response, even without the negation, will still be negated by the nature of the question.

• ບໍ່ສະບາຍບໍ່ (bo sabai di bo /bɔː sa.baj diː bɔː/) Are you not well?
• Response: ບໍ່ສະບາຍ (bo sabai di /bɔː sa.baj diː/) I am well.

Classifiers

Classifiers (ລັກສະນະນາມ, laksananam /lāk sā.nāʔ.náːm/) are used for when referring to a number of things, either a group or a finite amount. Classifiers can be used in place of the counted noun when context makes it sufficient. There are many classifiers, which is daunting, and it is better to double the noun or the more common ones such as ທີ່ (thi /tʰīː/) or ໂຕ (to /toː/). For single items, the classifier comes before the number; for more, the classifier comes after it.

ex:

ເບັຽ

bia

/biaː

beer

ຂວດ

khuat

kʰùaːt

CL

ໜຶ່ງ

nueng

nɯ̄ŋ/

one

ເບັຽ ຂວດ ໜຶ່ງ

bia khuat nueng

/biaː kʰùaːt nɯ̄ŋ/

beer CL one

'One bottle of beer.'

ex:

ເບັຽ

bia

/biaː

beer

ສອງ

song

sɔ̌ːŋ

two

ຂວດ

khuat

kʰuàːt/

CL

ເບັຽ ສອງ ຂວດ

bia song khuat

/biaː sɔ̌ːŋ kʰuàːt/

beer two CL

'Two bottles of beer.'

The classifiers can sometimes be used in place of the nouns they group in context.

ex:

ມີຫ

mi

/míː

have

ໝາ

ma

mǎː

dog

ສອງ

song

sɔ̌ːŋ

two

ໂຕ

to

ɗoː

CL

ໃນ

nai

nái

in

ບ້ານ

ban

bâːn

village.

ໂຕ

to

ɗoː

CL

ກັດ

kat

kát

bite

ອ້າຍ

ai

ʔâːj/

older brother

ມີຫ ໝາ ສອງ ໂຕ ໃນ ບ້ານ ໂຕ ກັດ ອ້າຍ

mi ma song to nai ban to kat ai

/míː mǎː sɔ̌ːŋ ɗoː nái bâːn ɗoː kát ʔâːj/

have dog two CL in village. CL bite {older brother}

'There were two dogs in the village. The dogs bit older brother.'

Lao Classifiers

Lao	Category
ຄົນ, khon /kʰón/	People in general, except clergy and royalty.
ຄັນ, khan /kʰán/	Vehicles, bicycles, umbrellas, kitchen utensils.
ຄູ່, khu /kʰūː/	Pairs of people, animals, socks, earrings, etc.
ສະບັບ, sabap /sáʔbáp/	Papers with texts, books, documents, manuscripts, etc.
ໂຕ, to /ɗoː/	Animals, insects, birds, shirts, letters, playing cards, furniture, chairs, things with legs.
ກົກ, kok /kók/	Trees.
ຫນ່ວຽ, nuay /nuāj/	Oval objects, fruits, eggs, eyes, pillows/cushions, drums, furniture, mountains, watches/clocks, and headgear.
ໃບ, bai /baj/	round and flat objects such as a leaf, a tray, etc.

Possession

To indicate that object X belongs to object Y, Lao uses the construction X ຂອງ Y. ຂອງ (khong /kʰɔ̌ːŋ/) can also be omitted without changing the meaning.

ex:

ແຜງ

Mane

ຂອງ

POSS

ມ້າ

horse

 

 

or

or

 

 

ແຜງ

mane

ມ້າ

horse

ແຜງ ຂອງ ມ້າ {} or {} ແຜງ ມ້າ

Mane POSS horse {} or {} mane horse

A horse's mane.'

References

• Enfield, N. J. (2007). A grammar of Lao. Berlin, Germany: Mouton de Gruyter.
• Cummings, J. (2002). Lao phrasebook. Footscray, Australia: Lonely Planet Publishers.
• (in Thai) ภาษาและวรรณกรรมท้องถิ่นล้านนา : ฉบับสำนวนภาษากำเมือง [Northern Thai dialect and folk literature of Lanna]. Bangkok: Faculty of Humanities, MCU. 2009. ISBN 978-974-11-1078-0. http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/4697444.
• Mollerup, A. (2001). Thai- isan- lao phrasebook. Bangkok, Thailand: White Lotus.
• SEAlang Library Lao Lexicography. (2010, 13 February). Retrieved from [1].