Signification
The act of having the evening meal.
Contexte culturel
Dinner is usually eaten with sticky rice (khao niao), which is eaten with the hands. Using the right hand to dip rice into communal bowls is the traditional way to 'kin a-han laeng'. In cities like Vientiane, 'a-han laeng' often includes Beerlao. It is common for groups to sit for hours, ordering small plates of food throughout the evening. For Lao families abroad, 'kin a-han laeng' remains the primary way to maintain language and culture, often serving as the only time the family speaks Lao together. Monks in Laos do not 'kin a-han laeng'. They are forbidden from eating after noon. Therefore, you would never use this phrase when referring to a monk's schedule.
The 'Khao' Shortcut
If you forget the word 'a-han', just use 'khao' (rice). Everyone will understand you and it sounds very natural.
Wait for the Elder
When eating dinner with Lao people, wait for the oldest person at the table to start eating before you dig in.
Signification
The act of having the evening meal.
The 'Khao' Shortcut
If you forget the word 'a-han', just use 'khao' (rice). Everyone will understand you and it sounds very natural.
Wait for the Elder
When eating dinner with Lao people, wait for the oldest person at the table to start eating before you dig in.
Tone Matters
Make sure 'laeng' is high tone. If you say it with a low tone, it might not be understood as 'evening'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I eat dinner'.
ຂ້ອຍ ___ ອາຫານແລງ.
'ກິນ' (kin) means to eat, which is the correct verb for a meal.
Which phrase is the most formal way to say 'to have dinner'?
Choose the formal version:
'ຮັບປະທານ' (rap pa than) is the high-register verb for eating.
Match the Lao phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Matching verbs and adjectives to the core phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເຈົ້າກິນອາຫານແລງແລ້ວບໍ? B: ________.
The question asks if you've eaten; the answer confirms you have.
Which phrase would you use with a close friend?
Friend context:
'Kin khao laeng' is the standard casual/friendly version.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Lao Meal Times
Morning
- • ກິນອາຫານເຊົ້າ
Midday
- • ກິນອາຫານສວຍ
Evening
- • ກິນອາຫານແລງ
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesຂ້ອຍ ___ ອາຫານແລງ.
'ກິນ' (kin) means to eat, which is the correct verb for a meal.
Choose the formal version:
'ຮັບປະທານ' (rap pa than) is the high-register verb for eating.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching verbs and adjectives to the core phrase.
A: ເຈົ້າກິນອາຫານແລງແລ້ວບໍ? B: ________.
The question asks if you've eaten; the answer confirms you have.
Friend context:
'Kin khao laeng' is the standard casual/friendly version.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsUsually from 4:00 PM until about 8:00 PM. After that, it's 'กลางคืน' (kang khuen - night).
Yes, but 'rap pa than a-han laeng' is even better for very formal events.
It's becoming more common in cities, but traditionally it's a social activity. People might ask 'Why are you eating alone?' out of concern!
Usually, you just say 'kin a-han laeng' + [Location]. You don't need a word for 'at' if the context is clear.
'A-han' is the general word for food (formal). 'Khao' literally means rice but is used casually to mean 'meal'.
Say 'Im laew' (Full already). It's the polite way to stop eating.
Yes, typically it is the time when the most variety of dishes are served.
No, that would be 'kin khao deuak' (eat late rice).
Say 'khoy kin che' (I eat vegetarian) during the dinner.
It's the time (evening), but in this collocation, it describes the meal.
Expressions liées
ກິນອາຫານເຊົ້າ
similarTo eat breakfast
ກິນອາຫານສວຍ
similarTo eat lunch
ຮ້ານອາຫານ
builds onRestaurant
ແຊບຫຼາຍ
similarVery delicious
ອີ່ມແລ້ວ
contrastI am full
