Beginner Lao Lesson – Useful Everyday Phrases for Travelers

Learning a few Lao phrases is one of the best ways to connect with local people during your stay in Laos. The Lao language is friendly, musical, and full of soft tones. When speaking Lao, try to keep your voice gentle and relaxed. Lao is pronounced almost exactly as it is written, and each syllable usually has a balanced sound. Even if you pronounce something imperfectly, most Lao people will appreciate your effort and happily help you.

Below are some simple phrases that travelers can use in daily situations.
Each phrase is written in Lao script, followed by karaoke pronunciation, and then the English meaning.

1. Hello

ສະບາຍດີ
sa-baai-dee
Hello

2. How are you today?

ມື້ນີ້ເຈົ້າເປັນຈັ່ງໃດ? ສະບາຍດີບໍ?
meu-nee jhao pen jang-dai ? sa-baai-dee baw?
How are you today? Are you well?

3. Where will you travel today?

ມື້ນີ້ເຈົ້າຈະໄປໄສ?
meu-nee jhao ja bpai sai?
Where are you going today?

4. Today I will visit That Luang and Patuxai.

ມື້ນີ້ຂ້ອຍຈະໄປເບິ່ງພະທາດຫຼວງ ແລະ ປະຕູໄຊ.
meu-nee khoy ja bpai beung pha-that-luang lae pa-tu-sai
Today I will visit Pha That Luang and Patuxai.

5. I am hungry. Can you recommend a restaurant?

ຂ້ອຍຫິວເຂົ້າ. ແນະນຳຮ້ານອາຫານໃຫ້ແນ່ໄດ້ບໍ?
khoy hiu khao. nae-nam haan aa-haan hai nae dai baw?
I’m hungry. Can you recommend a restaurant?

6. How much is the total price?

ລາຄາທັງໝົດເທົ່າໃດ?
la-khaa thang-mot tao-dai?
How much is everything (the total price)?

7. Please calculate the bill.

ຊ່ວຍຄິດເງິນໃຫ້ແນ່.
suay khit-ngein hai nae
Please calculate the bill.

8. I am very full. The food was delicious, thank you!

ຕອນນີ້ຂ້ອຍອີ່ມຫຼາຍ. ອາຫານແຊບຫຼາຍ. ຂອບໃຈຫຼາຍໆ.
ton-nee khoy iim lai. aa-haan sep lai. khop-jai lai-lai
I’m very full. The food was so delicious. Thank you!

9. I want to go back to my hotel. My hotel name is…

ຂ້ອຍຢາກກັບໂຮງແຮມ. ໂຮງແຮມຂອງຂ້ອຍຊື່…
khoy yaak gab hong-haem. hong-haem khong khoy seu…
I want to return to my hotel. My hotel is called…

10. How much is the fare?

ຄ່າລົດເທົ່າໃດ?
kha-lot tao-dai?
How much is the fare?

11. Thank you very much for dropping me off.

ຂອບໃຈຫຼາຍໆ ທີ່ມາສົ່ງ.
khop-jai lai-lai thee maa song
Thank you very much for taking me here.

12. Good luck! / Take care!

ໂຊກດີ.
chok-dee
Good luck!

If someone does not understand you the first time, don’t worry. Just repeat the sentence slowly, and people will try their best to help. Lao people often smile or laugh kindly when foreigners speak Lao—not because you said something wrong, but because they find it cute, respectful, and heartwarming. They feel proud and happy that you are trying to speak their language.

Learning a few phrases can make your experience in Laos more meaningful, more fun, and full of friendly connections. Enjoy practicing!