Languages in Laos can be quite confusing. The Lao or Liao language, actually Laotian, is considered the official language here. It has no less than five dialects, but it is impossible to count the dialects; there are more than 70 of them. Thai and Vietnamese languages are in use here. And thanks to the development of tourism, many websites, government agencies, and, of course, hotels use English and French.
Actually, you will find a French phrasebook with pronunciation most useful, as tourism employees are most likely to speak this language. Carry an English -French phrasebook with you, it will make moving around the country easier.
However, it's important to remember that in rural areas this language is little known. City names may be duplicated in both English and French. But there is a risk that they will be distorted and changed beyond recognition.
In any case, a French phrasebook and knowledge of English will help in your travels through Laos. Below are two phrasebooks to help you navigate the country.
|
In English |
In French |
|
Yes |
Oui |
|
No |
Non |
|
Thank you (thank you very much) |
Merci (merci beaucoup) |
|
Please (response to thank you) |
Je vous en prie |
|
You're welcome |
De rien |
|
Please (request) |
S’il vous plaît |
|
Excuse me |
Pardon / excusez-moi |
|
Hello |
Bonjour |
|
Goodbye |
Au revoir |
|
Bye |
A bientôt |
|
I don't understand |
Je ne comprends pas |
|
Do you speak...English? ...French? |
Parlez-vous ...anglais? ...français? |
|
I don't speak French |
Je ne parle pas français |
|
Mister, Miss... |
Monsieur, madame... |
|
Slower, please |
Plus lentement, s’il vous plaît |
|
Help me, please |
Aidez-moi, s’il vous plaît |
|
I need... |
J’ai besoin de... |
|
Where is...? |
Où se trouve... ? |
|
Hotel |
L’hôtel |
|
Restaurant |
Le restaurant |
|
Shop |
Le magasin |
|
Museum |
Le musée |
|
Street |
La rue |
|
Square |
La place |
|
Airport |
L’aéroport |
|
Railway station |
La gare |
|
Bus station |
La gare routière |
|
Stop |
L’arrêt |
|
Bus |
Le bus |
|
Tram |
Le tram |
|
Train |
Le train |
|
Airplane |
L’avion |
|
Metro |
Le métro |
|
Taxi |
Le taxi |
|
Car |
La voiture |
|
Departure |
Le départ |
|
Arrival |
L’arrivée |
|
Ticket |
Le billet |
|
How much is a ticket? |
Quel est le prix d’un billet ? |
|
Left |
A gauche |
|
Right |
A droite |
|
Straight ahead |
Tout droit |
|
Where are the toilets? |
Où sont les toilettes ? |
|
How much does it cost? |
Combien ça coûte ? |
|
What is the price? |
Quel est le prix ? |
|
I would like to buy / order... |
Je voudrais acheter / commander… |
|
Do you have...? |
Avez-vous… ? |
|
I'll take this. |
Je le prends. |
|
Do you accept credit cards? |
Acceptez-vous les cartes de crédit ? |
|
Open |
Ouvert |
In English | In Lao |
Hello | Sabadi |
Thank you | Kop tjai |
I | Hoi |
You | Tjao |
We | Pu hau |
He | Pu sai |
She | Pu ni |
Yes | Tjau |
No | Bo |
Eat | Kin |
Water | Nam |
Sleep | Non |
Go | Pai |
Where | Yu sai |
When | My lai |
Road | Hun tam |
Car | Lot |
House | Hon |
What is this? | Ni me nyan? |
Village | Ban |
City | Myun |
Today | My ni |
Tomorrow | My yn |
One | Nyn |
Two | Sou |
Three | Sam |
Four | Si |
Five | Ha |
Six | Hok |
Seven | Tip |
Eight | Pe |
Nine | Kou |
Ten | Sip |
