Signification
Asking for assistance.
Contexte culturel
Lao people value 'Keng Jai', which means being considerate of others' feelings. Using 'dae' shows you are 'Keng Jai' and not being demanding. Helping others is seen as 'Hét Boun' (making merit). When you ask for help, you are giving the other person a chance to do a good deed. Respect for elders is paramount. If asking an older person for help, use 'Khanoy' instead of 'Khoy' to show you recognize their seniority. Lao hospitality is legendary. If you use this phrase, don't be surprised if you are invited for tea or food after the person helps you.
The Smile Factor
Lao is a tonal language, but a smile is universal. If you forget the tone, a friendly smile while saying 'Suay khoy dae' will almost always get you the help you need.
Don't skip 'Dae'
Without 'dae', you sound like a boss talking to an employee. Always include it to keep things friendly.
Signification
Asking for assistance.
The Smile Factor
Lao is a tonal language, but a smile is universal. If you forget the tone, a friendly smile while saying 'Suay khoy dae' will almost always get you the help you need.
Don't skip 'Dae'
Without 'dae', you sound like a boss talking to an employee. Always include it to keep things friendly.
Body Language
A slight tilt of the head or a small 'Nop' (placing hands together) while saying this adds an extra layer of respect that locals love.
Add a Verb
Once you're comfortable, try adding a verb: 'Suay khoy [verb] dae'. It makes you sound much more fluent!
Teste-toi
Complete the phrase to ask for help politely.
ຊ່ວຍ_____ແດ່.
'ຂ້ອຍ' (khoy) means 'me'. The phrase needs to be 'Help me please.'
Which phrase is the most polite for a general request?
Which one should you say to a stranger?
Adding 'ແດ່' (dae) makes the request polite and neutral.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are lost and see a local person.
'ຫຼົງທາງ' (long thang) means 'lost'.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: ຊ່ວຍຂ້ອຍຍົກເຄື່ອງນີ້ແດ່. B: ________.
'ໂດຍ, ໄດ້ເລີຍ' means 'Yes, certainly/can do.'
Match the Lao word to its English meaning.
Match the components.
These are the three building blocks of the phrase.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Formality Levels
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesຊ່ວຍ_____ແດ່.
'ຂ້ອຍ' (khoy) means 'me'. The phrase needs to be 'Help me please.'
Which one should you say to a stranger?
Adding 'ແດ່' (dae) makes the request polite and neutral.
You are lost and see a local person.
'ຫຼົງທາງ' (long thang) means 'lost'.
A: ຊ່ວຍຂ້ອຍຍົກເຄື່ອງນີ້ແດ່. B: ________.
'ໂດຍ, ໄດ້ເລີຍ' means 'Yes, certainly/can do.'
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the three building blocks of the phrase.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, for 95% of daily interactions. For monks or royalty, use 'Suay khanoy dae'.
Yes, 'Suay dae' is a common short version, especially in urgent situations.
'Dae' is for requests (please), while 'doe' is for emphasis or agreement (okay/sure).
No, Lao verbs do not change for tense. Context or time words tell you when it happened.
Shout 'Suay dae!' or 'Suay khoy dae!' loudly. People will understand the urgency from your tone.
Absolutely. It's very common in messaging apps like WhatsApp or Line.
Yes, very. Thai is 'Chuay duay'. Lao people will understand the Thai version, but they appreciate the Lao one more.
Add 'dai bor' at the end: 'Chau suay khoy dae dai bor?'
Always say 'Khop chai' (Thank you) or 'Khop chai lai lai' (Thank you very much).
Yes, 'khoy' can be used by both men and women.
It's better to be more specific, like 'Suay khoy yueam nguen dae' (Help me borrow money, please), but be careful—this is a big favor!
'Na' is another particle that is more persuasive or pleading. 'Dae' is more standard.
Expressions liées
ຂໍຄວາມຊ່ວຍເຫຼືອ
formalTo request assistance
ຊ່ວຍແດ່
similarHelp!
ເປັນຫ່ວງ
contrastTo be worried
ຂອບໃຈ
builds onThank you
ບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງ
builds onNo problem / It's okay
