Body Parts
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Learn the essential Lao body parts by using the prefix 'hua' for head-related terms and simple noun placement.
- Body parts are standard nouns: 'khaa' (leg).
- Use 'hua' as a prefix for head parts: 'hua-khao' (knee).
- Possession follows the noun: 'khaa-khoi' (my leg).
Body Part Possession
| Part | Possessor | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hua
|
Khoi
|
Hua-khoi
|
My head
|
|
Khaen
|
Jao
|
Khaen-jao
|
Your arm
|
|
Khaa
|
Lao
|
Khaa-lao
|
His/her leg
|
|
Thong
|
Khoi
|
Thong-khoi
|
My stomach
|
|
Mue
|
Jao
|
Mue-jao
|
Your hand
|
|
Niu
|
Khoi
|
Niu-khoi
|
My finger
|
Meanings
Lao body parts are concrete nouns used to describe physical anatomy. They are frequently used in health, fashion, and daily interaction contexts.
Physical Anatomy
Describing actual body parts.
“Khaa (leg)”
“Khaen (arm)”
Metaphorical/Idiomatic
Using body parts to describe personality or state.
“Hua-khaeng (stubborn/hard-headed)”
“Jai-dee (kind-hearted)”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + Possessor
|
Khaen khoi
|
|
Negative
|
Bo + Noun
|
Bo men khaen
|
|
Question
|
Noun + Bo?
|
Khaen chep bo?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Noun
|
Khaen
|
|
Plural
|
Phuak + Noun
|
Phuak khaa
|
|
Descriptive
|
Noun + Adjective
|
Khaen yai
|
Spectre de formalité
Khaa khong khap-jao chep. (Medical/Casual)
Khaa khoi chep. (Medical/Casual)
Khaa chep. (Medical/Casual)
Khaa-phang! (Medical/Casual)
Body Parts Map
Upper
- Hua Head
Middle
- Thong Stomach
Lower
- Khaa Leg
Exemples par niveau
Hua chep.
My head hurts.
Khaa chep.
My leg hurts.
Khaen.
Arm.
Mue.
Hand.
Khaen khoi chep.
My arm hurts.
Hua-khao jao chep bo?
Does your knee hurt?
Mue khoi.
My hand.
Thong khoi.
My stomach.
Khao pen khon hua-khaeng.
He is a stubborn person.
Jai-dee lai.
Very kind-hearted.
Khaa-khao chep.
My knee hurts.
Niu-mue.
Finger.
Khon ni mi hua-kid thi dee.
This person has good thinking (mind).
Khaen-sua.
Sleeve (arm of shirt).
Khaa-khao-sai.
Left knee.
Hua-jai-o-lao.
Heart condition.
Kham-phuan thi kieo-kap hua.
Wordplay related to the head.
Jai-dam.
Cold-hearted.
Hua-ok.
Heartbreak.
Khaa-lang.
Back leg/support.
Kaan-paet-phaen-bo-lan.
Traditional medicine practices.
Hua-jai-khong-pan-ha.
The heart of the problem.
Khaen-nai-khaen-nok.
Inner/outer arm (metaphor).
Hua-khao-khon.
Knee of the person.
Facile à confondre
Learners often put them before the noun.
Erreurs courantes
Khoi hua
Hua khoi
Khao
Hua-khao
Jai-dam (literal)
Jai-dam (idiomatic)
Using formal terms in slang
Use colloquial terms
Structures de phrases
___ chep.
Real World Usage
Hua chep.
Use context
Smart Tips
Use 'chep' after the part.
Prononciation
Tones
Lao is tonal; ensure 'Hua' (head) has the correct rising tone.
Question
Khaa chep bo? ↑
Rising intonation for yes/no questions.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Hua' as the 'Whoa' of the head.
Association visuelle
Imagine a giant head (Hua) wearing a hat, with arms (Khaen) reaching out.
Rhyme
Khaa is leg, Khaen is arm, keep them safe from any harm.
Story
I bumped my Hua (head) on the door. My Khaen (arm) hurt too. I rubbed my Thong (stomach) because I was hungry.
Word Web
Défi
Point to 5 body parts and say their names in Lao in 30 seconds.
Notes culturelles
The head is considered sacred; never touch someone's head.
Tai-Kadai roots.
Amorces de conversation
Jao chep sai?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
___ khoi chep.
Score: /1
Exercices pratiques
1 exercises___ khoi chep.
Score: /1
FAQ (1)
No, it is often implied.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
My head
Word order.
