Lao is the official language of Laos, spoken by around 7 million people. A tonal language close to Thai, it is written in an elegant Brahmic alphabet and carries a gentle culture marked by Theravada Buddhism. From Vientiane to Luang Prabang, this kit gives you the bare minimum to travel in the land of a million elephants.
Lao is the official language of the Lao People's Democratic Republic. It is spoken by around 7 million people in Laos itself and by several million more in northeastern Thailand, where Lao varieties are collectively called Isan. Linguistically, Lao belongs to the Tai-Kadai family and remains very close to standard Thai: a Lao and a Thai speaker can often understand each other, especially orally. Lao is written with a Brahmic alphabet derived from Mon-Khmer scripts, simpler than the Thai alphabet and recognizable by its round, flowing shapes. It is a tonal language with five to six tones depending on the analysis, which represents the main challenge for French and English speakers: the same word can mean 'horse' or 'dog' depending on the melody. Lao culture is imbued with Theravada Buddhism and a gentleness that surprises hurried travellers. The expression 'bo pen nyang' (it is not a problem) sums up a national philosophy where patience and non-confrontation take precedence over efficiency. This mindset is felt in the floating markets of Pakse, in the silence of the temples of Luang Prabang or during the morning procession of monks at sunrise. Travelling in Laos with a few Lao words radically changes the welcome. A simple 'sabaidi' with a smile opens doors and lowers prices in the markets. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an arrival in Vientiane, a tuk-tuk ride, an order in a local food stall, a medical emergency and a departure toward the northern plateaus. Memorize these expressions before leaving and you will gain confidence from the very first hours on site.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Wattay airport in Vientiane in the early afternoon. The immigration officer greets you with a smile. You return his sabaidi, warmly thank him and say goodbye before continuing on your way.
You climb into a tuk-tuk to reach your guesthouse. You give the name of the village (baan), mention the guesthouse and ask for the room you have reserved. The driver nods and drops you off in front of the door.
You sit down in a riverside food stall along the Mekong at sunset. The waitress hands you a Lao menu. You order sticky rice (khao), water (nam) and a bit of grilled meat (sin), all with a smile and a nod.
You wake up with a headache and a toothache after a long bus ride. At the pharmacy, you point to your head (hua), your tired eyes, your painful ear and your mouth to explain where it hurts.
As you leave the guesthouse, the hostess asks if everything went well. You answer 'doi' with a smile, politely decline a last drink with 'bo' and say goodbye to the family before boarding the minibus to Luang Prabang.
What you need to know before travelling to a laotien-speaking country.
The traditional greeting is the 'nop': palms joined at chest level with a slight bow of the head. The higher the hands, the greater the respect. Reserve the highest gesture for monks and elders.
The head is sacred, the feet impure. Never touch a person's head, even a child's, and never point your feet at a person, a Buddha statue or an altar.
In front of a temple or a house, remove your shoes before entering. Dress modestly in religious sites: shoulders and knees covered, even in extreme heat.
The baci ceremony, with a cotton thread tied around the wrist, accompanies weddings, births and important welcomes. If a thread is tied for you, keep it at least three days before cutting it.
Lao is tonal: the same word pronounced with five different tones takes five different meanings. If someone does not understand you, repeat softly varying the melody rather than the volume.
In Laos, the pace is deliberately slow. The expression 'bo pen nyang' (it is not a problem) sums up the country's philosophy. Delays and surprises are taken with a smile.
Avoid raising your voice, even in disagreement. Losing your temper makes everyone lose face. A calm, smiling conversation always gets more than a confrontation.
Sticky rice (khao niao) is eaten by hand. You take a small ball, dip it in the sauce and bring it to your mouth. Do not cut it with cutlery, it would feel out of place.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
kalouna
please
khor thot
excuse me / sorry
sok di
good luck
pen
to be
mi
to have
pai
to go
ma
to come
kin
to eat
deum
to drink
non
to sleep
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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