Lao Language, sometimes referred to as Laotian (ລາວ, [láːw] 'Lao' or ພາສາລາວ, [pʰáːsǎːláːw] 'Lao language'), is a Kra–Dai language of the Lao people. It is spoken in Laos, where it is the official language for around 7 million people, as well as in northeast Thailand (52% of the Lao population speak the standard variation making it the dominant language), where it is used by around 23 million people, usually referred to as Isan. Lao serves as a lingua franca among the citizens of Laos, who also speak approximately 90 other languages, many of which are unrelated to Lao.
It is a tonal and analytic language, similar to other Kra-Dai languages as well as to Chinese and Vietnamese. Spoken Lao is mutually intelligible with Thai and Isan, fellow Southwestern Tai languages, to such a degree that their speakers are able to effectively communicate with one another speaking their respective languages. These languages are written with slightly different scripts but are linguistically similar and effectively form a dialect continuum.
Although there is no official standard, the Vientiane dialect became the de facto standard language in Lao PDR, and the Khonkaen dialect became the de facto standard language in Isan in the second half of the 20th century.
Learn more Lao Language HERE
Other Lao Spoken Languages
52% is not a high number and speaks of the different ethnic groups you find in Lao. As mentioned earlier, 80 other documented minority languages are spoken, the most famous of which are Khmu and Hmong. ‘
The Khmu Language has a total of 500,000 speakers living in Northern Laos. As opposed to Kra-Dai, the Khmu language is Austroasiatic. Although Khmu is their first language, the majority of these speakers can also speak standard Vientiane Lao.
The Hmong language is another widely spoken language in the region. The people living in the mountains of Laos, Burma, Thailand, and China and are split into two groups. The white Hmong and The Green Hmong.
Basic expressions / Common Words
Good morning / Good evening Sabaï dii / None lap fan dii
How are you? Sabaï dii bo ?
Fine, thank you, and you? Sabaï dii, khop tchaï, lè tchao dè ?
I understand / I don't understand khaphachao khao tchaï / Khoï bo khao tchaï
Sorry Kho thot
Goodbye La kone
Welcome Nyinditonhab
Thank you (very much) Khop tchaï laï laï
Excuse me Excuse khaphachao / Kalounaa
My name is... Khoï suu...
No thank you Bo khop tchaï
Yes / No Tchao / Bo
You're welcome Than nyinditonhab
Commerce
How much is it? Laka tao daï ?
It is very cheap Bo peng
It is too expensive! Peng phôt
Can you lower the price? Lout laka daï bo ?
I would like to buy ... this one! Khaphachao yakcha su... thini
I like it / I don't like it Khaphachao hak / Khaphachao sang
Money Ngoen
I'm just looking around. Khaphachao phiangaet sokha
Transportation
I would like to go to ... Diak...
Plane Gnyone
Boat Heua
Train Kanfukobhom
Taxi Lot taxi
Bus Lot mé
I would like to rent ... Khaphachao tongkan thichahai seoa...
Motorbike Lot chak
Car Lot keng
Bike Lot thiip
Directions
Where is ...? / How can I get to ...? Bonthi pen... ? / vithikan pai... ?
Bank Thanakane
Train station Satannii
Centre Meuong
Hotel Hong hèm
Hospital Hong mo
Is it close / far? Pid bo ? / kaï bo ?
Straight ahead Paï su
Left / Right Saï / khoua
North / South / East / West Thit neua / thit taï / Thit tavén ok / Thit tavén tok
Numberssieben, acht, neun, zehn
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten Nung, song, sam, sii, haa, hok, tiét, pèt, kao, sip
twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty Sao, sam sip, sii sip, haa sip, hok sip
seventy, eighty, ninety tiét sip, pèt sip, kao sip
One hundred Loï
Hours/Dates and daysDienstag, Mittwoch, Donnerstag, Freitag, Samstag, Sonntag
What time is it? Singthi saiuaelaaemn vaman ?
When? Naiuaela thi ?
Yesterday Muuaanni
Today (morning/midday/evening) Naimuni (tonsao / thiang / tonaelng)
Tomorrow Muun
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday Chan, vnoangkhan, vanphud, vanphahad, vansuk, vansao, vnoathid
I am here on vacation Khaphachao kiauakabkan phak / kandoenthang
I am here for business Khaphachao yuthini soalabkan heduaiak / thulakid
Time to eat!
I am hungry / I am thirsty Cha hiv / cha hiv noa
Enjoy Khuaamsuk danoahan khongthan
Cheers! Ne se traduit pas
It was delicious Sèp laaï
What can you recommend? Singthithan naenoa ?
I am vegeterian Khaphachao vegetarian pen
Not spicy please (I don't like spices) Bo saï mak phèt
It's too hot Manpen hon koenpai !
I am allergic Khaphachao koedoakan aeph
Sea food Ahanthale
Peanuts Thouadin
Gluten Gluten
I would like... Khoï yak...
Water Nam
Tee / Coffee Am sa / Kafé
Beer / Wine Bia lao /
The bill, please Chèk bin, kalounaa
Health / Emergency / Security
I need to see a doctor. Khaphachao choapentong paihamo dai
Call an ambulance / Call 911 Othha thanmo / lot ohngmo
Where is the hospital? Hong mo you saï ?
I do not feel very good Khoï bo sabai
It hurts here Khoï penn tchèp you nii
Where can I find the restrooms? Hong nom you saï ?
Help! Suanyheu
Police Tamlouat
Danger Antalai
I'm lost Khoï long thang
Other
Have a nice day ! Mu thidi !
Useful links:
=> Laos Tour Packages - Join Group
=> Laos Travel Guide
=> Laos Hidden Gem
=> Luang Prabang Festival in 12 months
=> Laos Private Tours
=> Laos Visa
