7+ Fascinating Ways To Say How Are You In Lao

Original blog post: https://ling-app.com/lo/how-are-you-in-lao/

Are you looking for new ways to say “how are you” in Lao? If yes, then this blog is just the right place for you. From basic greeting Lao phrases like ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ບໍ (how are you) with proper translation to fascinating alternatives, you will get to learn all of it in just one read. So, want to learn more? Continue reading and exploring the Lao language.

Learning to say how are you and other terms such as Jâo Khào Jai Baw? (Do you understand), Sôhk Dee Deuh (Goodbye and take care), Baw Pen Nyung (It’s nothing), sa bai dee (Hello), Ne se traduit pas (Cheers), etc., are essential to becoming a fluent Laotian speaker. Especially if you are traveling to Luang Prabang, these words in the local language will genuinely come in handy. Imagine you run into a friend or someone you know in the streets of Laos. You wouldn’t want to stay numb. Thus, to make meetings more fun and conversing effortless, keep reading this blog and discover all the basic Lao phrases.

Page Contents

• Say How Are You In Lao
• How To Reply In Lao
• Alternative To How Are You In Lao
• More Basic Lao Phrases That You Must Know

Say How Are You In Lao

Greeting words are an indispensable part of language learning that makes communication easier. It will help one start dialogues and enhance the sentence-forming skills of people who usually speak English. Especially when it comes to local Lao people, they are very welcoming, polite, and amiable. To greet people for them and beg pardon with words like khaw toot, khao jai, etc., is considered to be part of the etiquette that the country respects.

So, in this section, we will go through the fundamental way of greeting someone and saying “how are you.” To make it easier, we ensured that the following section would have alternatives divided into formal and informal greeting categories so that you can creatively change your word choices according to the person you are talking to. If you are interested to learn Lao, keep exploring!

How Are You In Lao

Let us grasp the translation of the Lao phrase “how are you?”ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ບໍ is the direct translation of “how are you,” and it is pronounced as sa bai di bo or sa bai dee baw. It is the most common phrase for greeting someone and can be used in any situation while talking to any person, be it younger or older.

Alternative To How Are You In Lao

Below are other alternatives with different words but the same meaning.

Informal Greetings

You can use these choices while talking to someone younger or your friends.

1. What’s Up? — ມີຫຍັງຂຶ້ນ

Saying “what’s up,” ມີຫຍັງຂຶ້ນ- mijang khun, is one of the most typical ways of greeting your friends. From the western world to the Asian, “what’s up” is a common phrase that helps one start a conversation in a very chill tone. So, use it when you see a friend in Lao.

2. Are You All Right? — ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ

“Are you all right?” written and pronounced as ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ- chao sabaidi bo, is another fascinating way of starting a conversation. It gives a very relaxed vibe and expresses concern towards the other person simultaneously. This works best when you meet someone who has been going through a hard time lately.

3. What’s New With You? — ມີຫຍັງໃໝ່ກັບທ່ານ

Meeting a friend after a long break? Then ມີຫຍັງໃໝ່ກັບທ່ານ- mijang mai kab than, which means “What’s new with you” is your best choice of words. It is a casual greeting that questions what has been happening with the other person lately. Such a phrase helps in conversing with a long-lost friend and getting updated on their life.

4. Long Time No See! — ດົນໆບໍ່ເຫັນ

Although not directly an alternative to “how are you,” “Long time no see,” ດົນໆບໍ່ເຫັນ- don bohen, is a standard phrase, and this works when you meet a friend after a while. It is an easy greeting that enables one to start speaking with the other without having to overthink.

5. How’s You? — ເຈົ້າເປັນແນວໃດ

If you want to sound more funky and trendy, “how’s you,” ເຈົ້າເປັນແນວໃດ- chao penaenuadai, is what you need to learn. It is a short form of the common phrase “how are you” that works best when you are texting rather than talking to someone over call. It is a very casual way of greeting that will allow the other person to get comfortable sharing.

Formal Greeting Lao Phrases

Now we will look into some formal alternatives you should use while communicating with someone respectable or elderly. Especially when talking to your boss, older adults, or strangers in Laos, you should always adhere to formal ways.

1. How Are You Doing — ເຈົ້າ​ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ບໍ

The easiest way of asking “how are you” in a formal situation is by saying, “how are you doing?” or ເຈົ້າ​ສະ​ບາຍ​ດີ​ບໍ- chao sa bai di bo. It is similar to “how are you” and is an excellent start to a formal conversation. Especially when you are meeting your elderly family members in Laos or your friend’s parents, you can use this phrase and impress them with your skills.

2. How Have You Been — ເຈົ້າເປັນແນວໃດ

“How have you been,” pronounced as ເຈົ້າເປັນແນວໃດ- chao penaenuadai, is another excellent formal alternative that can be used on any formal occasion. Especially when greeting new colleagues and officers in your job, this phrase will be a perfect beginner for your long conversation. Moreover, Laotian people love when foreigners speak their language. So, using such local words will leave your partners and boss impressed.

3. How Are Things Going — ສິ່ງຕ່າງໆເປັນແນວໃດ

“How are things going,” ສິ່ງຕ່າງໆເປັນແນວໃດ-sing tang penaenuadai, is also a good choice when it comes to greeting someone new or senior. It starts with a positive question and allows the person to speak freely about their life. Such unrestricted and open phrases give out a polite impression of your personality. Make sure you use this one once you meet a local person.

4. How Are You Coping At The Moment? — ເຈົ້າຮັບມືແນວໃດໃນເວລານີ້

Although quite stretchy, you can use this phrase with a person you have known for a while. Especially if they have been low recently and you want to show your concern towards the person, the Lao phrase ເຈົ້າຮັບມືແນວໃດໃນເວລານີ້-chao habmu aenuadai naiuaelani, works perfectly for such a situation.

Wrapping Up!

So there you go! Now you know how to greet someone and start a conversation ideally. The Lao people will undoubtedly be amazed by your skills and respond with equally warm replies. Further, learning these words and phrases has enhanced your vocabulary and speaking skills ten times more than earlier.
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