Signification
Literally 'soft legs'; being very tired from walking.
Contexte culturel
In Laos, offering a seat to someone who says they are 'kha on' is a basic sign of 'nam chai' (generosity/spirit). During festivals like Boun That Luang, thousands walk for miles. 'Kha on' is a badge of honor for the effort put into making merit. In 'Lam Vong', the legs do most of the work while the hands remain 'on' (graceful). 'Kha on' is the inevitable result of a good party. Farmers use this phrase to describe the feeling after a day of transplanting rice in the mud, which is physically taxing on the legs.
Add 'Mot'
Adding 'mot' (ໝົດ) at the end makes you sound much more like a native speaker complaining about fatigue.
Not for Food
Never use 'kha on' to describe soft bread or meat; it sounds like the food has legs!
Signification
Literally 'soft legs'; being very tired from walking.
Add 'Mot'
Adding 'mot' (ໝົດ) at the end makes you sound much more like a native speaker complaining about fatigue.
Not for Food
Never use 'kha on' to describe soft bread or meat; it sounds like the food has legs!
Politeness
If an elder says they are 'kha on', immediately look for a chair for them. It's a strong social cue.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct Lao word for 'soft'.
ຍ່າງຫຼາຍຈົນຂາ____.
The idiom is 'kha on' (soft legs). 'Kha khaeng' would mean stiff legs.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'ຂາອ່ອນ'?
When would you say 'ຂ້ອຍຂາອ່ອນ'?
'Kha on' refers to physical leg fatigue from exertion.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຄືນັ່ງຢູ່ບ່ອນນີ້? B: ຂ້ອຍຍ່າງມາແຕ່ຕະຫຼາດ, ດຽວນີ້_____.
The context of walking from the market makes 'kha on' the most natural response.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesຍ່າງຫຼາຍຈົນຂາ____.
The idiom is 'kha on' (soft legs). 'Kha khaeng' would mean stiff legs.
When would you say 'ຂ້ອຍຂາອ່ອນ'?
'Kha on' refers to physical leg fatigue from exertion.
A: ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຄືນັ່ງຢູ່ບ່ອນນີ້? B: ຂ້ອຍຍ່າງມາແຕ່ຕະຫຼາດ, ດຽວນີ້_____.
The context of walking from the market makes 'kha on' the most natural response.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, for arms you would say 'mueay khaen'. 'Kha on' is specific to legs.
No, it's a neutral physical description. It's fine to say if you've been walking together on a site visit.
No, it's an idiom for feeling weak or like jelly.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite like 'hard legs', but you could say 'mi haeng' (having strength).
Yes, in that case, it is used literally to mean their legs aren't strong enough yet.
Yes, Thai uses 'kha on' (ขาอ่อน) similarly, but in Thai it can also mean 'inner thigh', so context is key.
ຂ-າ-ອ່-ອ-ນ (Kha-On).
It's redundant. Just 'khoy kha on' is enough.
Expressions liées
ເມື່ອຍ
similarTired
ໃຈອ່ອນ
builds onSoft-hearted
ມືອ່ອນ
specialized formGraceful hands
ຂາແຂງ
contrastStiff legs
