Significado
Literally 'eye love', meaning lovely.
Contexto cultural
Lao people value 'gentleness'. Calling someone 'Ta Hak' is often a higher compliment than calling them 'beautiful' because it implies they have a good heart. In the Isan region, which speaks a dialect very close to Lao, 'Ta Hak' is used identically. However, in Central Thai, 'Na Hak' is the standard. In communities in the US or France, 'Ta Hak' is one of the few phrases younger generations often retain because it's used so frequently by grandmothers. Older Lao people might avoid over-complimenting a baby with 'Ta Hak' to avoid attracting spirits, sometimes using 'Pen Ta Sang' (hateful) as a protective reverse-psychology compliment.
Add 'Lai Lai'
To sound like a native, always add 'Lai Lai' (very very) at the end. 'Ta hak lai lai!'
Watch the Tone
If you say 'Ta' with a rising tone, it might sound like 'Tha' (to wait). Keep it low!
Significado
Literally 'eye love', meaning lovely.
Add 'Lai Lai'
To sound like a native, always add 'Lai Lai' (very very) at the end. 'Ta hak lai lai!'
Watch the Tone
If you say 'Ta' with a rising tone, it might sound like 'Tha' (to wait). Keep it low!
Gender Neutral
Unlike some languages, 'Ta Hak' is perfectly fine to use for boys, girls, men, and women.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank to say 'This cat is very cute.'
ແມວໂຕນີ້_____ຫຼາຍ.
'Ta Hak' is the correct adjective for 'cute'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to compliment a baby?
How do you say 'The baby is adorable'?
Using 'Pen' as a linker is the most natural grammatical structure.
Match the Lao phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Ta Hak matches with Cute.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເບິ່ງຮູບໝານ້ອຍຂອງຂ້ອຍແມ້! B: ________!
When shown a pet photo, 'Ta hak lai' is the most appropriate response.
In which situation would you NOT use 'Ta Hak'?
Select the inappropriate situation:
'Ta Hak' is a lighthearted, happy word and is inappropriate for somber occasions.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosແມວໂຕນີ້_____ຫຼາຍ.
'Ta Hak' is the correct adjective for 'cute'.
How do you say 'The baby is adorable'?
Using 'Pen' as a linker is the most natural grammatical structure.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
Ta Hak matches with Cute.
A: ເບິ່ງຮູບໝານ້ອຍຂອງຂ້ອຍແມ້! B: ________!
When shown a pet photo, 'Ta hak lai' is the most appropriate response.
Select the inappropriate situation:
'Ta Hak' is a lighthearted, happy word and is inappropriate for somber occasions.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
14 preguntasYes! It's very common to call a boyfriend or a male friend 'Ta Hak' if they are being sweet or look charming.
'Na Hak' is more common in Thailand, while 'Ta Hak' is the traditional Lao preference. They mean the same thing.
Add 'Lai' (ຫຼາຍ) at the end: 'Ta hak lai'.
Only if the food is decorated to look like an animal or something 'cutesy'. Otherwise, use 'Pen ta kin' (looks delicious).
No, it's informal to neutral. Avoid it in very formal speeches.
The opposite is 'Pen ta sang' (hateful/annoying).
Yes, if it's a small, charming cottage. If it's a mansion, use 'Ngam'.
No. That would be 'Khoy hak ta chao'. 'Ta hak' is a fixed idiom for 'cute'.
'Pen' means 'to be'. It's just a more complete grammatical way to say 'is cute'.
It's okay if you are complimenting their baby or pet. Don't say it to a random adult stranger as it might be too forward.
Yes, if the melody is sweet and lighthearted.
It is a high tone.
Young people often say 'Ta hak khak khak' for 'super cute'.
Only if it's a small, cute car like a Mini Cooper or a Beetle.
Frases relacionadas
ໜ້າຮັກ
synonymCute (literally 'face love')
ເປັນຕາແພງ
similarPrecious/Adorable
ງາມ
similarBeautiful
ເປັນຕາຊັງ
contrastHateful/Annoying
ຫຼົງຮັກ
builds onTo fall in love
