Significado
A request for someone to repeat what they said.
Contexto cultural
In Laos, it is common to use the word 'Doi' (ໂດຍ) before or after this phrase when speaking to someone of higher status. It shows you are listening and being respectful. In the north, the accent is softer. You might hear 'Vao' pronounced with a slightly different tone, but the phrase remains the same. People here value extreme politeness. In the capital, speech is faster. You will often hear the shortened 'Vao mai' among friends in cafes and malls. Lao is spoken in Isan too. There, they might mix it with Thai and say 'Pood mai' (Thai style) or 'Vao eek tee'. Knowing the pure Lao version helps you stand out as a serious learner.
The 'Hand Rewind'
If you forget the words, making a small circular 'rewind' motion with your hand while looking confused will usually prompt a Lao person to repeat themselves.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Mai' with a high tone, it means 'silk'. Keep it low to mean 'new/again'.
Significado
A request for someone to repeat what they said.
The 'Hand Rewind'
If you forget the words, making a small circular 'rewind' motion with your hand while looking confused will usually prompt a Lao person to repeat themselves.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Mai' with a high tone, it means 'silk'. Keep it low to mean 'new/again'.
Smile!
Lao people are very forgiving of language mistakes if you ask for help with a smile (Yim).
Add 'Dae'
Adding 'ແດ່' (dae) at the end is the easiest way to sound instantly more polite and natural.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the polite request to a teacher.
ອາຈານ, ເວົ້າ_____ໃໝ່ແດ່.
'ຄືນ' (khuen) is the necessary middle part of the phrase meaning 'back'.
Which phrase is the most polite way to ask a stranger to repeat themselves?
Asking a stranger in a shop:
Adding 'dai bor' (can you?) makes it a polite question rather than a command or a blunt 'what?'.
Match the Lao word to its literal English meaning.
Match the components:
Understanding the components helps you remember the whole phrase.
Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.
A: ມື້ວານນີ້ຂ້ອຍໄປຕະຫຼາດເຊົ້າ. B: (I didn't hear you) ___________?
The context requires a request for repetition.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosອາຈານ, ເວົ້າ_____ໃໝ່ແດ່.
'ຄືນ' (khuen) is the necessary middle part of the phrase meaning 'back'.
Asking a stranger in a shop:
Adding 'dai bor' (can you?) makes it a polite question rather than a command or a blunt 'what?'.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
Understanding the components helps you remember the whole phrase.
A: ມື້ວານນີ້ຂ້ອຍໄປຕະຫຼາດເຊົ້າ. B: (I didn't hear you) ___________?
The context requires a request for repetition.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's neutral. To be safer, add 'Doi' at the start: 'Doi, vao khuen mai dai bor?'.
In Lao, just saying 'Eek' (Again) is quite rude. Always use the full phrase.
'Vao khuen mai' means repeat what was said. 'Vao eek' means keep talking or say more.
Add 'sa-sa' (slowly): 'Vao khuen mai sa-sa dai bor?'.
Lao uses serial verbs. 'Khuen' (back) shows the direction of the action (returning to the previous words).
No, Lao verbs don't change for tense. The context makes it clear.
No, it's too informal. Use 'Vao khuen mai' with teachers.
Say 'Bor khao chai' (I don't understand) and ask them to 'Khian hai' (Write it down).
Yes, in the Isan region it's perfectly understood. In Bangkok, they might prefer 'Pood eek tee'.
Young people might just say 'Ha?' or 'Nyang na?'.
Frases relacionadas
ເວົ້າອີກເທື່ອໜຶ່ງ
synonymSpeak one more time
ຫຍັງເກາະ
informalWhat was that?
ບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ
builds onI don't understand
ເວົ້າຊ້າໆ
similarSpeak slowly
ຟັງບໍ່ທັນ
similarI couldn't catch that / listen in time
