Signification
Asking for the current time.
Contexte culturel
Lao people often use a 12-hour clock in conversation but a 24-hour clock for official business and tickets. In temples, time is marked by gongs and drums, which is why the word for hour is 'Mong'. It is polite to use 'Pha-khun-chao' when asking a monk the time, though monks usually don't carry watches. Younger generations are very punctual due to the influence of international business and social media.
The Power of Laew
Always include 'laew' at the end. It makes you sound like a local and completes the thought.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Mong' with a low tone, people might not understand you. Keep it high and rising!
Signification
Asking for the current time.
The Power of Laew
Always include 'laew' at the end. It makes you sound like a local and completes the thought.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Mong' with a low tone, people might not understand you. Keep it high and rising!
Polite Particles
Add 'khap' (for men) or 'kha' (for women) at the end to be extra polite, though this is more common in Thai-influenced Lao.
Lao Time
If someone says '8 o'clock', they might mean 8:15. Don't stress too much about the exact minute!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask the time politely.
ຂໍໂທດເດີ, _____ ໂມງແລ້ວ?
'ຈັກ' (Chak) is the correct word for 'how many' when asking about time.
Which of these is the most natural way to ask a friend the time?
Choose the best option:
'ຈັກໂມງແລ້ວ?' is the standard, natural expression.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ຈັກໂມງແລ້ວ? B: _________.
The answer should provide a time, like 'Two o'clock already'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Asking a monk the time.
Adding 'Kho aphai than' (Excuse me, sir) is necessary for respect.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Time of Day Markers
Morning
- • ເຊົ້າ (Sao)
- • ງາຍ (Ngai)
Afternoon
- • ສວາຍ (Suay)
- • ບ່າຍ (Bai)
Evening
- • ແລງ (Leng)
- • ຄ່ຳ (Kham)
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂໍໂທດເດີ, _____ ໂມງແລ້ວ?
'ຈັກ' (Chak) is the correct word for 'how many' when asking about time.
Choose the best option:
'ຈັກໂມງແລ້ວ?' is the standard, natural expression.
A: ຈັກໂມງແລ້ວ? B: _________.
The answer should provide a time, like 'Two o'clock already'.
Asking a monk the time.
Adding 'Kho aphai than' (Excuse me, sir) is necessary for respect.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsTraditionally, Lao doesn't use question marks, but in modern texting and social media, '?' is very common.
Yes, but only with very close friends. It sounds a bit rude otherwise.
Say the number followed by 'mong'. For example, 'Sip mong' (10 o'clock).
Say 'Sip mong kheng' (Ten o'clock half).
In very formal writing, 'chua mong' is used, but for asking the time, 'mong' is always used.
They use time-of-day words like 'sao' (morning), 'suay' (afternoon), and 'leng' (evening).
It indicates that the time has 'already' reached that point. It's a grammatical habit in Lao.
Yes, for counting anything: 'Chak khon?' (How many people?).
Lao uses 'Chak', Thai uses 'Gee'. They are cousins but distinct.
Say 'Prachum chak mong?' (Meeting what time?). Note the lack of 'laew' because it hasn't happened yet.
Expressions liées
ຕອນນີ້
similarNow
ເວລາ
builds onTime
ນາທີ
specialized formMinute
ຊ້າ
contrastLate
ໄວ
contrastEarly/Fast
