(Disclaimer: EITM would like to actively discourage its reader (sic) from availing themselves of this Lao language primer.)
Laos is a fine place characterised by a rural, mountainous sensibility that places it firmly in the contemplative corner of Southeast Asia. It is a landlocked, sparsely populated nation and feels as such: the plateaus of Champasak, for example, convey the impression of unceasing openness that suggests a horizontal approach lacking in the fiery dragon of Vietnam or the overbearing reach of Thailand. It is a small, unhurried place partitioned between at least three larger nations but never in danger of feeling overawed: Laos is the farmer ploughing the fields who, espying the chrome of far-off lands, continues his day with no hint of envy for the trappings of other places.
Linguistically, Lao mirrors Thai, particularly the Isaan dialect. Its meaning relies on tones–low, mid, high, rising, high falling, and low falling–which indicates the potential pitfalls of inflexion. Experience suggests that speakers issue pronouncements as flat statements unless asking questions; that is until their proficiency is such that they become creatures of the abstract, capable of constructing sentences of varied but grammatically correct meaning from the same word.
But not with this guide. It is incomplete, apocryphal and riddled with errors. Even worse, it comes from a far-off time when Vientiane had no ATMs and visitors had to change their money in Vietnam, Myanmar or Thailand; the fog of clouded memory taints this guide and will corrupt all who absorb it.
Let us begin:
Excuse me (getting attention) – Khǎw Thôht
Hello – Sabaidi
How are you? – Sabaidi bo
I’m fine – Khony sabaidi
Thank you – Khob chai
Goodbye – La kon
Please – Kaluna
Yes – Maen laeow/doi/eur/jao
No – Baw
Maybe – Bangthi
What’s your name? – Chao su jang?
My name is (Thomm) – Khony su (Thomm)
Where you go? – Chao cha pai sai?
I don’t know – Khony bo hu
I go to (the temple) – Khony pai (vad)
Where is (the temple)? – (Vad) yusai
Over there – Yuthinan
How far is (the temple)? – (Vad) kai pan dai?
How long is (the journey)? – (Kandoenthang) nyav pandai?
Airport – Sa nam bin
Hotel – Ohngaehm
Restaurant – Hanoahan
Bar – Ba
Town – Meuong
City – Meuong
Village – Ban
Temple – Vad
This is … – Niaemn …
Cheap – Lakhathuk
Expensive – Aephng
Very (cheap) – (Lakhathuk) rai
Do you have (a room)? – Chao mi (hong) bo?
I want (a room) – Khony tongkan (hong)
Room – Hong
Beer – Bia
Water – Noa
Cigarettes – Yasub
Lighter – Si man
Food – Ahan
Drink – Dum
Chicken – Kai
Fish – Pa
Rice – Khao
What’s the score? – Khaaenn aemn theoadai?
I like your nose – Khony mak dang khong chao
0 – Soon
1– Neung
2 – Sawng
3 – Saam
4 – Sii
5 – Haa
6 – Hok
7 – Jed
8 – Pad
9 – Gao
10 – Sip
11 – Sip et
12 – Sip song
20 – Song sip
30 – Saam sip
40 – Sii sip
50 – Haa sip
60 – Hok sip
70 – Jed sip
80 – Pad sip
90 – Gao sip
100 – Nueng hoi
200 – Song hoi
300 – Saam hoi
Eye In The Middle 