Significado
Expressing strong approval.
Contexto cultural
In Laos, expressing strong liking is often accompanied by a 'Nop' (placing hands together in a prayer-like gesture) if you are thanking someone for a gift or a meal. It shows deep respect. The Isan people speak a dialect very similar to Lao. They use 'Mak lai' in the exact same way, though they might use the Thai 'Chop' (ຊອບ) in more formal settings. Second-generation Lao speakers often use 'Khoy mak lai' as one of their few remaining 'heritage' phrases, using it to connect with their elders during family dinners. While 'mak' is common, in business, saying you 'like' an idea is often followed by 'hen dee' (agree). 'Khoy mak lai' is reserved for the social 'after-party' or dinner.
Double it up
Say 'Mak lai lai' to sound more like a local. The repetition shows genuine excitement.
Watch the 'Hak'
Don't tell your new Lao friend 'Khoy hak chao' unless you mean it romantically! Stick to 'mak'.
Significado
Expressing strong approval.
Double it up
Say 'Mak lai lai' to sound more like a local. The repetition shows genuine excitement.
Watch the 'Hak'
Don't tell your new Lao friend 'Khoy hak chao' unless you mean it romantically! Stick to 'mak'.
Smile while saying it
Lao is the 'Land of Smiles'. The phrase is 50% words and 50% facial expression.
Use with 'Saep'
When eating, say 'Saep lai, mak lai!' (Very delicious, like it a lot!) for the ultimate compliment.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word to say 'I like it a lot'.
ຂ້ອຍ ___ ຫຼາຍ
'ມັກ' (mak) means 'to like'.
Which sentence is the correct word order?
How do you say 'I like Beerlao a lot'?
The order must be Subject + Verb + Object + Adverb (lai).
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເຈົ້າມັກພາສາລາວບໍ່? (Do you like Lao language?) B: ໂດຍ, ______.
The person is asking if you like it, so 'I like it a lot' is the logical positive response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You just finished a delicious meal at a friend's house.
Complimenting the food with 'I like it a lot' is the most appropriate response.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Things you can 'Mak Lai'
Food
- • Khao Niao
- • Tam Mak Hoong
- • Beerlao
Places
- • Luang Prabang
- • Vang Vieng
- • Wat Phou
Activities
- • Fang Peng
- • Thiao
- • Hien Pa-sa
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosຂ້ອຍ ___ ຫຼາຍ
'ມັກ' (mak) means 'to like'.
How do you say 'I like Beerlao a lot'?
The order must be Subject + Verb + Object + Adverb (lai).
A: ເຈົ້າມັກພາສາລາວບໍ່? (Do you like Lao language?) B: ໂດຍ, ______.
The person is asking if you like it, so 'I like it a lot' is the logical positive response.
You just finished a delicious meal at a friend's house.
Complimenting the food with 'I like it a lot' is the most appropriate response.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
5 preguntasYes, but it means 'I like you' in a friendly way. If you use it with someone you are dating, it's a safe way to show interest without being too serious.
Both are correct. 'Lai' is standard. 'Lai lai' is more emphatic and common in casual conversation.
You would say 'Khoy mak nit noi' (ຂ້ອຍມັກນິດໜ້ອຍ).
Yes, 'Khoy' is the standard polite pronoun for 'I' in almost all situations for foreigners.
You can say 'Khoy mak lai thae thae' (ຂ້ອຍມັກຫຼາຍແທ້ໆ).
Frases relacionadas
ແຊບຫຼາຍ
similarVery delicious
ມ່ວນຫຼາຍ
similarVery fun/enjoyable
ຂ້ອຍຮັກເຈົ້າ
builds onI love you
ຂ້ອຍພໍໃຈ
specialized formI am satisfied
ບໍ່ມັກ
contrastDon't like
