Signification
Asking someone to speak or move slower.
Contexte culturel
The phrase embodies 'Sabai Sabai' culture—a relaxed approach to life where rushing is seen as stressful and unnecessary. In Northeast Thailand (Isan), where a Lao dialect is spoken, you will hear 'Chaa chaa dae' or 'Chaa chaa noi', showing the deep linguistic link. Hmong speakers in Laos often adopt this Lao phrase when communicating with outsiders, as it is a universal 'bridge' phrase. Among the expat community in Laos, 'Saa saa dae' is often the first phrase learned and is used as a joke when someone is drinking Beerlao too fast.
Use Hand Gestures
Pair 'Saa saa dae' with a gentle downward motion of your hand. It's a very common Lao gesture that reinforces the request politely.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Saa' with a high tone, it might not be understood. Keep it low and steady.
Signification
Asking someone to speak or move slower.
Use Hand Gestures
Pair 'Saa saa dae' with a gentle downward motion of your hand. It's a very common Lao gesture that reinforces the request politely.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Saa' with a high tone, it might not be understood. Keep it low and steady.
The Power of 'Dae'
Never forget the 'Dae'. It is the difference between being a 'demanding foreigner' and a 'polite guest'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask someone to speak slowly.
ເວົ້າ ___ ແດ່.
'ຊ້າໆ' (saa saa) means slowly, which is what you need here.
Which phrase is the most polite way to ask a driver to slow down?
Choose the best option:
Adding 'ແດ່' (dae) makes the request polite and natural.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເຈົ້າເຂົ້າໃຈບໍ່? B: ບໍ່, ກະລຸນາເວົ້າ ___.
If person B doesn't understand, they need the speaker to go slower.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Situation: You are taking notes while someone gives you their phone number.
'Tell me slowly' is the best fit for receiving a phone number.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Saa vs. Khoy
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesເວົ້າ ___ ແດ່.
'ຊ້າໆ' (saa saa) means slowly, which is what you need here.
Choose the best option:
Adding 'ແດ່' (dae) makes the request polite and natural.
A: ເຈົ້າເຂົ້າໃຈບໍ່? B: ບໍ່, ກະລຸນາເວົ້າ ___.
If person B doesn't understand, they need the speaker to go slower.
Situation: You are taking notes while someone gives you their phone number.
'Tell me slowly' is the best fit for receiving a phone number.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's grammatically possible but sounds very abrupt. Reduplication is much more natural for adverbs in Lao.
It's better to use 'Karuna' and more formal pronouns when speaking to monks, though they would understand you.
'Saa' is specifically about speed. 'Khoy' is about volume (softly) or intensity (gently).
Say 'Khap lot saa saa dae' (Drive car slow please).
Yes, in the context of a request, it functions as 'please' or 'a bit'.
That is the 'Mai Sam' (ໆ), which tells you to repeat the previous word.
No, for that you should use 'Tha bon nueng' (Wait one moment).
Yes, but usually with 'Karuna' added at the beginning for professional polish.
You can say 'Saa saa lai lai' (Slow slow very very).
In Lao script it is 'Saa', but in Thai it is 'Chaa'. They are cognates.
Expressions liées
ຄ່ອຍໆ
similarGently or slowly
ໄວໆ
contrastFast, quickly
ຊ້າລົງ
builds onTo slow down
ຢຸດ
specialized formStop
