Signification
Expressing dislike.
Contexte culturel
Lao people often avoid saying 'no' or 'I don't like' directly to avoid hurting feelings. They might smile and say 'maybe later' instead. In the capital, younger generations are more influenced by Western and Thai media and are much more direct with 'Khoi bor mak'. Food is communal. If you say you don't like a dish, you might be asked 'Why?' because people want to make sure you are happy and well-fed. In a meeting, saying 'I don't like this proposal' is too harsh. Use 'I think we should look at other options' instead.
Add 'Der'
Always add 'ເດີ້' (der) at the end when talking to elders or strangers to sound polite.
Don't use 'Sang'
Avoid using 'ຊັງ' (sang - hate) unless you are very angry; it's much stronger than 'bor mak'.
Signification
Expressing dislike.
Add 'Der'
Always add 'ເດີ້' (der) at the end when talking to elders or strangers to sound polite.
Don't use 'Sang'
Avoid using 'ຊັງ' (sang - hate) unless you are very angry; it's much stronger than 'bor mak'.
The 'Pahn Dai' Trick
Use 'pahn dai' (that much) to turn a rejection into a soft preference. It makes you sound like a native speaker.
Smile while saying it
In Lao culture, a smile can take the 'sting' out of a negative statement like 'I don't like this'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I don't like coffee'.
ຂ້ອຍ ___ ມັກກາເຟ
'ບໍ່' (bor) is the word for 'not' used to negate verbs in Lao.
Which sentence is the most polite way to say you don't like something much?
Choose the best option:
'ປານໃດ' (pahn dai) softens the dislike to 'not that much', which is more polite.
Match the Lao phrase to its English meaning.
Match them up:
These are common A1 objects and verbs used with the phrase.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: ເຈົ້າມັກເບິ່ງໜັງຜີບໍ່? B: ______, ຂ້ອຍຢ້ານ.
Since the person says 'I'm scared' (khoy yan), the logical answer is 'I don't like'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Intensity of Dislike
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍ ___ ມັກກາເຟ
'ບໍ່' (bor) is the word for 'not' used to negate verbs in Lao.
Choose the best option:
'ປານໃດ' (pahn dai) softens the dislike to 'not that much', which is more polite.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are common A1 objects and verbs used with the phrase.
A: ເຈົ້າມັກເບິ່ງໜັງຜີບໍ່? B: ______, ຂ້ອຍຢ້ານ.
Since the person says 'I'm scared' (khoy yan), the logical answer is 'I don't like'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it's neutral. However, in very formal situations or when someone is being hospitable, it's better to use a softer version like 'bor khoy mak'.
Yes, but it's very direct. 'Khoy bor mak lao' means 'I don't like him/her'. Use it with caution in social circles.
'Bor mak' is for preferences (food, hobbies). 'Bor hak' is for love/affection. You wouldn't say 'I don't love this soup' in Lao.
No! Lao verbs never change. 'Lao bor mak' means 'He/She doesn't like'.
Add 'loey' at the end: 'Khoy bor mak loey'.
Yes, in casual conversation with friends, dropping the 'Khoy' is very common.
Say 'Pen yang chao bue bor mak?'
Yes, use 'Khanoy' instead of 'Khoi' to be very respectful.
No, for 'I don't want', use 'Khoy bor yak' (I don't want to) or 'Khoy bor ao' (I don't take/want this object).
Say 'Khoy mak nit noi' (I like a little bit).
Yes, with a different tone, it means 'fruit'.
Khoy bor mak ten.
For verbs, yes. It's the most common and versatile negator.
Absolutely. It's very common in texting. You might even see it as 'bm' in very lazy slang.
Expressions liées
ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຮັກ
similarI don't love
ຂ້ອຍຊັງ
specialized formI hate
ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຄ່ອຍມັກ
specialized formI don't really like
ຂ້ອຍມັກ
contrastI like
ບໍ່ຖືກໃຈ
similarNot to my taste
