Significado
General term for having a meal.
Contexto cultural
Eating is a communal activity. If you are 'kin khao' and someone walks by, it is customary to invite them with 'Ma kin khao nam kan' (Come eat with us). The Isan people share the same 'kin khao' culture. Sticky rice is the staple here too, and the phrase is used identically as a greeting. Even in the diaspora, 'kin khao' remains a primary way to maintain cultural identity. Community gatherings are often called 'ngan kin khao'. Business deals are often finalized over a meal. 'Kin khao' is the setting for building 'khuam wai nua chua chai' (trust).
The 'Rice' Umbrella
Remember that 'khao' covers pizza, burgers, and noodles. Don't look for a different word for 'meal'.
Tone Matters
If you say 'khao' with a rising tone, it means 'white' or 'news'. Use the falling tone for 'rice'.
Significado
General term for having a meal.
The 'Rice' Umbrella
Remember that 'khao' covers pizza, burgers, and noodles. Don't look for a different word for 'meal'.
Tone Matters
If you say 'khao' with a rising tone, it means 'white' or 'news'. Use the falling tone for 'rice'.
The Polite 'Already'
Even if you are hungry, if a stranger asks 'Kin khao laeo bor?', it's often polite to say 'Kin laeo' (I've eaten) first to avoid imposing, unless they insist.
The Invitation
If someone says 'Ma kin khao!' while they are eating, they are being polite. You can say 'Sabaidee, kin khao sa de' (Enjoy your meal) to decline politely.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to say 'I am eating breakfast'.
ຂ້ອຍກິນເຂົ້າ______. (Khoy kin khao ______.)
'Sao' means morning, so 'khao sao' is breakfast.
Which phrase is the most common social greeting in Laos?
How do you say 'Have you eaten yet?'
While 'Sabaidee bor' is 'How are you', 'Kin khao laeo bor' is the most common and culturally warm greeting.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ໄປກິນເຂົ້ານຳກັນບໍ່? B: ________, ໄປຕີ້!
'Doy' is a polite 'yes' or agreement to an invitation.
Match the phrase to the time of day.
Match 'ກິນເຂົ້າສວຍ' (Kin khao suay) to the correct time.
'Suay' refers to the late morning or midday period.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Formal vs. Informal Eating
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosຂ້ອຍກິນເຂົ້າ______. (Khoy kin khao ______.)
'Sao' means morning, so 'khao sao' is breakfast.
How do you say 'Have you eaten yet?'
While 'Sabaidee bor' is 'How are you', 'Kin khao laeo bor' is the most common and culturally warm greeting.
A: ໄປກິນເຂົ້ານຳກັນບໍ່? B: ________, ໄປຕີ້!
'Doy' is a polite 'yes' or agreement to an invitation.
Match 'ກິນເຂົ້າສວຍ' (Kin khao suay) to the correct time.
'Suay' refers to the late morning or midday period.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, but it's better to say 'kin khao sao' to be specific.
Not rude, but asking it makes you sound much more natural and friendly in Lao culture.
You can say 'kin mi' (eat noodles), but 'kin khao' is still acceptable as a general term for 'having my meal'.
Yes, in Lao 'kin' is used for both eating and drinking (e.g., kin nam, kin bia).
Say 'Khoy hiu khao' (I'm hungry for rice/food).
The formal version is 'rup pa than a-han' (ຮັບປະທານອາຫານ).
In a Lao context, it usually implies sticky rice, but linguistically it just means 'rice' in general.
Yes, that would be 'kin khao deuk' (eating late at night).
It's a phatic greeting, like 'How are you?'. They aren't seeking information; they are being social.
Yes, 'ha naew kin' (finding something to eat) is very common among youth.
In Lao, pronouns are often dropped. Just saying 'Kin khao laeo' is perfectly fine.
'Khao' is rice/staple, 'a-han' is the formal word for food/cuisine.
Frases relacionadas
ກິນຫຼິ້ນ
similarTo snack
ອີ່ມແລ້ວ
contrastI'm full
ກັບເຂົ້າ
builds onSide dishes
ເຂົ້າໜຽວ
specialized formSticky rice
ຮ້ານອາຫານ
similarRestaurant
