Signification
Responding that you are doing well.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Sabai' is the cornerstone of Lao life. It's not just about health; it's about a lack of stress. If you are 'sabai', you are in a good place mentally and physically. The greeting and response reflect Buddhist values of equanimity. Saying you are 'well' even in hard times is a way of practicing 'Upekkha' (equanimity). In the capital, you'll hear 'Khoy sabaidee' in offices and cafes, often mixed with English or Thai loanwords. It's the mark of a 'su-phap' (polite) person. In villages, the response might be followed by an invitation to eat. 'Khoy sabaidee. Kin khao laeo baw?' (I'm well. Have you eaten yet?).
Smile is Key
In Laos, the phrase is as much about your facial expression as the words. A smile confirms the 'Sabai' state.
Avoid 'Maen'
Never say 'Khoy maen sabaidee'. It's the most common beginner mistake!
Signification
Responding that you are doing well.
Smile is Key
In Laos, the phrase is as much about your facial expression as the words. A smile confirms the 'Sabai' state.
Avoid 'Maen'
Never say 'Khoy maen sabaidee'. It's the most common beginner mistake!
Add 'Khop Chai'
Always follow up with 'Khop chai' (Thank you) to sound like a native speaker.
The Nop
If you are speaking to someone older, remember to bring your hands together. It makes the 'Sabaidee' much more meaningful.
Teste-toi
How do you respond to 'Sabaidee baw?'
A: Sabaidee baw? B: ________
'Khoy sabaidee' is the standard response. Option 1 is grammatically wrong, option 3 is a question, and option 4 is just 'thank you'.
Complete the sentence to say 'I am very well.'
ຂ້ອຍ ສະບາຍດີ ____.
'Lai' (ຫຼາຍ) means 'very' or 'a lot' and is placed after the adjective.
Complete the polite exchange.
Stranger: Sabaidee! You: Sabaidee! Stranger: Sabaidee baw? You: Khoy sabaidee, ________?
Adding 'and you?' (chao de) and 'thank you' (khop chai) is the most natural and polite way to finish.
Match the phrase to the feeling.
Match 'Sabaidee yu' with its meaning.
The particle 'yu' often softens the 'good' to mean 'I'm alright' or 'I'm just okay'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesA: Sabaidee baw? B: ________
'Khoy sabaidee' is the standard response. Option 1 is grammatically wrong, option 3 is a question, and option 4 is just 'thank you'.
ຂ້ອຍ ສະບາຍດີ ____.
'Lai' (ຫຼາຍ) means 'very' or 'a lot' and is placed after the adjective.
Stranger: Sabaidee! You: Sabaidee! Stranger: Sabaidee baw? You: Khoy sabaidee, ________?
Adding 'and you?' (chao de) and 'thank you' (khop chai) is the most natural and polite way to finish.
Match 'Sabaidee yu' with its meaning.
The particle 'yu' often softens the 'good' to mean 'I'm alright' or 'I'm just okay'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's very common to drop the 'Khoy' (I) in casual conversation.
It's neutral. To make it formal, add 'Douy' at the beginning.
Say 'Khoy bor sabai' (I'm not well/sick) or 'Bor koi sabai' (Not very well).
No, the phrase is the same for all genders.
Lao is a zero-copula language for adjectives. Adjectives act like verbs.
Say 'Khoy ka sabaidee' (ຂ້ອຍກໍ່ສະບາຍດີ).
Yes, it's the standard way to start any professional meeting in Laos.
Yes, though with friends you might just say 'Sabai dee' or 'Sabai yu'.
It means comfortable, at ease, or relaxed.
Almost! Thai is 'Chan sabai dee'. Lao uses 'Khoy' instead of 'Chan'.
Expressions liées
ບໍ່ສະບາຍ
contrastNot well / Sick
ສະບາຍດີຢູ່
similarDoing okay
ດີຫຼາຍ
builds onVery good
ເປັນຈັງໄດ
similarHow's it going?
ຂອບໃຈ
similarThank you
