Politeness and thanks
❃ Politeness and thanks
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ຂອບໃຈ
[ khop chai ] -
Thank you.
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ຂອບໃຈຫຼາຍໆ
[ khop chai lai lai ] -
Thank you very much.
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ບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງ
[ bo pen nyang ] -
You're welcome / No problem.
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ຂໍໂທດ
[ kho thot ] -
Excuse me / Sorry.
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ຂ້ອຍຂໍໂທດ
[ khoi kho thot ] -
I am sorry.
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ຂ້ອຍຂໍໂທດແທ້ໆ
[ khoi kho thot thae thae ] -
I am really sorry.
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ບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງດອກ
[ bo pen nyang dok ] -
Don't worry about it.
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ກະລຸນາ
[ kaluna ] -
Please.
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ຂໍ...ແດ່
[ kho... dae ] -
Please give me...
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ຊ່ວຍຂ້ອຍແດ່ໄດ້ບໍ່?
[ suay khoi dae dai bo? ] -
Could you please help me?
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ໂດຍ
[ doi ] -
Yes (polite).
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ເຈົ້າ
[ chao ] -
Yes (general).
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ບໍ່
[ bo ] -
No.
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ບໍ່, ຂອບໃຈ
[ bo, khop chai ] -
No, thank you.
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ດ້ວຍຄວາມຍິນດີ
[ duay khwam nyindi ] -
With pleasure.
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ຊົມເຊີຍ
[ som xoei ] -
Congratulations.
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ໂຊກດີ
[ xok di ] -
Good luck.
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ຂໍອະນຸຍາດ
[ kho anunyad ] -
Excuse me (asking permission).
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ເຊີນກ່ອນ
[ soen kon ] -
After you / Please go ahead.
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ຂອບໃຈທີ່ຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ
[ khop chai thi suay leua ] -
Thank you for your help.
Mastering politeness in Laos goes far beyond simply learning the words for "thank you" or "sorry." At the heart of Lao etiquette is the "Nop" (ນົບ), a graceful physical gesture of respect that resembles a prayer. To perform the Nop, you press your palms together in front of your chest and slightly bow your head. The higher your hands are placed, the greater the respect you are showing—for example, hands at chest level for a peer, at chin level for an elder, and at the forehead for a monk. Paired with the word for thank you, ຂອບໃຈ (khop chai), or the word for sorry, ຂໍໂທດ (kho thot), the Nop is an essential tool for navigating Lao society smoothly. When a local performs a Nop to you, it is customary to return the gesture, unless they are significantly younger or providing a service (like a cashier), in which case a warm smile and a slight nod suffice. Another crucial element of Lao politeness is the concept of saving face. Raising your voice, expressing visible anger, or acting aggressively is considered a severe breach of etiquette. If someone bumps into you or a mistake happens, a gentle smile and a soft ຂໍໂທດ (kho thot) will resolve the situation instantly. By embracing the Nop and maintaining a calm, friendly demeanor, you will earn the deep respect of the Lao people and experience the country's legendary hospitality in its purest form.
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