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Tag Questions

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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Lao, you turn a statement into a question simply by adding the particle 'ບໍ່' (bor) or 'ແມ່ນບໍ່' (maen bor) at the end.

  • Use 'ບໍ່' (bor) at the end of a sentence to ask a yes/no question: 'ເຈົ້າກິນເຂົ້າບໍ່?' (Are you eating?)
  • Use 'ແມ່ນບໍ່' (maen bor) to ask for confirmation, similar to 'isn't it?': 'ອາກາດດີ ແມ່ນບໍ່?' (The weather is good, right?)
  • Keep your tone rising at the end of the sentence to signal a question clearly.
Statement + ບໍ່ (bor) = Question?

Meanings

Lao uses sentence-final particles to transform declarative statements into interrogative ones, functioning similarly to English tag questions.

1

Yes/No Question

General inquiry about a fact or state.

“ເຈົ້າໄປຕະຫຼາດບໍ່?”

“ລາວມັກກິນເຜັດບໍ່?”

2

Confirmation Tag

Seeking agreement or verification of a statement.

“ນີ້ແມ່ນປຶ້ມຂອງເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນບໍ່?”

“ລາວເປັນຄົນລາວ ແມ່ນບໍ່?”

Question Formation Patterns

Type Structure Example Meaning
Yes/No Statement + ບໍ່ ເຈົ້າກິນບໍ່? Are you eating?
Confirmation Statement + ແມ່ນບໍ່ ລາວໄປ ແມ່ນບໍ່? He is going, right?
Negative Q Negative + ບໍ່ ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄປບໍ່? Are you not going?
Polite Q Statement + ບໍ່ + ເດີ ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່ເດີ? Are you going? (polite)
Past Q Statement + ແລ້ວບໍ່ ກິນແລ້ວບໍ່? Have you eaten yet?
Future Q Statement + ຈະ...ບໍ່ ເຈົ້າຈະໄປບໍ່? Will you go?

Common Shortened Forms

Full Form Short Form Context
ແມ່ນບໍ່ ບໍ່ Very casual
ກິນແລ້ວບໍ່ ກິນແລ້ວ? Spoken/Texting

Reference Table

Reference table for Tag Questions
Form Structure Example
Affirmative Subject + Verb + Object ຂ້ອຍກິນເຂົ້າ
Question Subject + Verb + Object + ບໍ່ ຂ້ອຍກິນເຂົ້າບໍ່?
Confirmation Subject + Verb + Object + ແມ່ນບໍ່ ຂ້ອຍກິນເຂົ້າ ແມ່ນບໍ່?
Negative Subject + ບໍ່ + Verb ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ກິນເຂົ້າ
Negative Q Subject + ບໍ່ + Verb + ບໍ່ ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ກິນເຂົ້າບໍ່?
Short Answer ແມ່ນ / ບໍ່ແມ່ນ ແມ່ນ / ບໍ່ແມ່ນ

Formalitätsspektrum

Formell
ທ່ານຈະໄປບໍ່?

ທ່ານຈະໄປບໍ່? (Asking someone if they are going.)

Neutral
ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່?

ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່? (Asking someone if they are going.)

Informell
ໄປບໍ່?

ໄປບໍ່? (Asking someone if they are going.)

Umgangssprache
ໄປບໍ່?

ໄປບໍ່? (Asking someone if they are going.)

Question Particle Map

Question Particles

Basic

  • ບໍ່ bor

Confirmation

  • ແມ່ນບໍ່ maen bor
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Examples by Level

1

ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ່?

Are you well?

2

ລາວກິນເຂົ້າບໍ່?

Is he eating?

3

ນີ້ແມ່ນນ້ຳບໍ່?

Is this water?

4

ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່?

Are you going?

1

ເຈົ້າເປັນນັກຮຽນ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

You are a student, right?

2

ມື້ນີ້ຮ້ອນບໍ່?

Is it hot today?

3

ລາວບໍ່ມັກເຜັດ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

He doesn't like spicy, right?

4

ເຮົາໄປກັນເລີຍບໍ່?

Shall we go now?

1

ເຈົ້າຄິດວ່າລາວຈະມາບໍ່?

Do you think he will come?

2

ວຽກນີ້ສຳເລັດແລ້ວ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

This work is finished, right?

3

ເຈົ້າເຄີຍໄປຫຼວງພະບາງບໍ່?

Have you ever been to Luang Prabang?

4

ລາວບໍ່ໄດ້ບອກເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

He didn't tell you, right?

1

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ເຫັນດີນຳຂ້ອຍ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

You don't agree with me, right?

2

ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງບໍ່ໄປບໍ່?

Why aren't you going?

3

ມັນບໍ່ແມ່ນເລື່ອງງ່າຍ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

It's not an easy matter, right?

4

ເຈົ້າແນ່ໃຈບໍ່ວ່າລາວຈະມາ?

Are you sure he will come?

1

ເຖິງວ່າລາວຈະບໍ່ພ້ອມ, ເຈົ້າກໍຍັງຈະໄປຢູ່ບໍ່?

Even if he isn't ready, are you still going?

2

ການຕັດສິນໃຈນີ້ແມ່ນຂຶ້ນກັບເຈົ້າ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

This decision depends on you, right?

3

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄດ້ຄາດຫວັງຜົນຕອບແທນ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

You weren't expecting a reward, right?

4

ມັນບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງດອກ, ແມ່ນບໍ່?

It's alright, isn't it?

1

ບໍ່ວ່າຈະເກີດຫຍັງຂຶ້ນ, ເຈົ້າກໍຍັງຈະຢືນຢັດຢູ່ບໍ່?

No matter what happens, will you still stand firm?

2

ຄວາມຈິງແລ້ວ, ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄດ້ຕ້ອງການສິ່ງນີ້ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

In truth, you don't need this, right?

3

ບໍ່ມີໃຜຮູ້ເລື່ອງນີ້ເລີຍ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

No one knows about this at all, right?

4

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄດ້ປະຕິເສດຄວາມເປັນຈິງນີ້ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

You aren't denying this reality, right?

Easily Confused

Tag Questions vs. Wh-Questions

Learners try to use 'bor' with 'who' or 'what'.

Tag Questions vs. Polite Particles

Mixing 'bor' with 'der'.

Tag Questions vs. Statement vs Question

Forgetting the particle.

Häufige Fehler

✗

ບໍ່ເຈົ້າໄປ?

✓

ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່?

Lao does not use fronting for questions.
✗

ເຈົ້າໄປ?

✓

ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່?

Without the particle, it is just a statement.
✗

ເຈົ້າແມ່ນບໍ່ໄປ?

✓

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄປບໍ່?

Negative placement is incorrect.
✗

ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່ແມ່ນ?

✓

ເຈົ້າໄປ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

Confirmation tag structure is wrong.
✗

ລາວໄປບໍ່ແມ່ນ?

✓

ລາວໄປ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

Need a space or distinct separation for the tag.
✗

ເຈົ້າກິນເຂົ້າແລ້ວບໍ່?

✓

ເຈົ້າກິນເຂົ້າແລ້ວບໍ່?

Actually correct, but learners often forget 'ແລ້ວ' for past tense.
✗

ເຈົ້າຈະໄປບໍ່?

✓

ເຈົ້າຈະໄປບໍ່?

Correct, but learners often confuse future tense markers.
✗

ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່ເດີ?

✓

ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່?

Adding 'ເດີ' makes it a request, not just a question.
✗

ລາວມາບໍ່?

✓

ລາວມາບໍ່?

Correct, but learners often fail to adjust tone.
✗

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄປບໍ່?

✓

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄປບໍ່?

Correct, but learners struggle with double negatives.
✗

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄດ້ໄປ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

✓

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄດ້ໄປ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

Correct, but learners often use 'ແມ່ນບໍ່' too frequently.
✗

ເຈົ້າຈະໄປບໍ່?

✓

ເຈົ້າຈະໄປບໍ່?

Correct, but learners fail to use regional particles.
✗

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄປບໍ່?

✓

ເຈົ້າບໍ່ໄປບໍ່?

Correct, but learners fail to use formal alternatives.

Sentence Patterns

ເຈົ້າ ___ ບໍ່?

ນີ້ແມ່ນ ___ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

ລາວ ___ ບໍ່?

ເຈົ້າ ___ ແລ້ວບໍ່?

Real World Usage

Texting constant

ໄປບໍ່?

Ordering Food very common

ເອົາເຜັດບໍ່?

Travel common

ໄປຫຼວງພະບາງບໍ່?

Job Interview common

ທ່ານພ້ອມແລ້ວ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

Social Media very common

ມັກບໍ່?

Shopping common

ຊື້ບໍ່?

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💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the word order. Just add 'bor'.
⚠️

Don't change word order

Changing word order is a common mistake for English speakers.
🎯

Use 'maen bor' for tags

It sounds more natural than just 'bor' for confirmation.
💬

Be polite

Add 'jow' or 'der' to soften your questions.

Smart Tips

Use 'ແມ່ນບໍ່' instead of 'ບໍ່'.

ລາວໄປບໍ່? → ລາວໄປ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

Add 'jow' at the end.

ໄປບໍ່? → ໄປບໍ່ເຈົ້າ?

You can omit the question mark.

ໄປບໍ່? → ໄປບໍ່

Use a higher rising tone.

ລາວມາບໍ່? → ລາວມາບໍ່? (with surprise)

Aussprache

bor (rising)

Rising Tone

Questions in Lao often have a slightly rising intonation at the end.

Question Intonation

ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່? ↗

Signals a question.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'bor' as a ball you throw at the end of a sentence to make it bounce back as a question.

Visual Association

Imagine a sentence as a flat road. Adding 'ບໍ່' is like putting a question mark sign at the end of the road.

Rhyme

Add a 'bor' to the end of the line, and a question you will find.

Story

Som is walking to the market. He sees his friend. He says 'Som, you go market?' but in Lao, he adds 'bor'. 'Som, pai talad bor?' Now he is asking a question.

Word Web

ບໍ່ແມ່ນບໍ່ແມ່ນບໍ່ແມ່ນແລ້ວເດີ

Herausforderung

Write 5 questions using 'ບໍ່' about your daily routine in 5 minutes.

Kulturelle Hinweise

People in the capital often use 'bor' with a soft tone.

They might use slightly different particles or intonation.

Particles can sound more clipped.

The particle 'bor' comes from ancient Tai interrogative markers.

Conversation Starters

“

ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ່?

“

ມື້ນີ້ຮ້ອນບໍ່?

“

ເຈົ້າກິນເຂົ້າແລ້ວບໍ່?

“

ເຈົ້າເປັນນັກຮຽນ ແມ່ນບໍ່?

Journal Prompts

Write about your day using 5 questions.
Confirm details of a meeting.
Ask a friend about their plans.
Discuss a choice.
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Test Yourself

Add the correct particle.

ເຈົ້າໄປ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ບໍ່
Use 'ບໍ່' for yes/no questions.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Which is a question?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່
Particle goes at the end.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

ບໍ່ເຈົ້າກິນ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າກິນບໍ່
Word order is fixed.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່
Subject-Verb-Particle.
Translate to Lao. Übersetzung

Are you well?

Answer starts with: ເຈົ...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ່
Standard question form.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Right?
'ແມ່ນບໍ່' is a confirmation tag.
Turn into a question. Sentence Transformation

ລາວມັກເຜັດ.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ລາວມັກເຜັດບໍ່
Add 'ບໍ່' at the end.
Select the best fit. Multiple Choice

ເຈົ້າເປັນນັກຮຽນ ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ແມ່ນບໍ່
Confirmation tag fits best.

Score: /8

Ubungsaufgaben

8 exercises
Add the correct particle.

ເຈົ້າໄປ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ບໍ່
Use 'ບໍ່' for yes/no questions.
Which is correct? Multiple Choice

Which is a question?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່
Particle goes at the end.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

ບໍ່ເຈົ້າກິນ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າກິນບໍ່
Word order is fixed.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

ບໍ່ / ເຈົ້າ / ໄປ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່
Subject-Verb-Particle.
Translate to Lao. Übersetzung

Are you well?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ່
Standard question form.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match 'ແມ່ນບໍ່' with meaning.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Right?
'ແມ່ນບໍ່' is a confirmation tag.
Turn into a question. Sentence Transformation

ລາວມັກເຜັດ.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ລາວມັກເຜັດບໍ່
Add 'ບໍ່' at the end.
Select the best fit. Multiple Choice

ເຈົ້າເປັນນັກຮຽນ ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ແມ່ນບໍ່
Confirmation tag fits best.

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

Yes, it is the universal yes/no particle.

It is neutral and very common.

In writing, yes. In speech, use intonation.

You are likely forgetting the particle.

They are very similar, both use particles.

Yes, but add polite particles.

Use 'ໃຜ' instead of 'bor'.

No, it is one of the easiest parts of Lao.

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In Other Languages

Spanish low

¿...?

Spanish changes intonation; Lao adds a particle.

French partial

est-ce que

French is at the start; Lao is at the end.

German low

Verb-first

German changes syntax; Lao keeps syntax.

Japanese high

ka

Both use sentence-final particles.

Arabic low

hal

Arabic is at the start; Lao is at the end.

Chinese high

ma

Both use sentence-final particles.

Previous
Question Particle 'Nai'

Related Grammar Rules

A0

Asking 'What is this?'
A1

Question Particle 'Bo'
A1

Who, What, Where
A1

Question Particle 'Nai'
A1

Asking for Directions
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