Signification
Referring to the current moment.
Contexte culturel
In Laos, time is often seen as circular rather than linear. 'Diao ni' is one of the few words that can actually inject a sense of linear urgency into a conversation. The concept of 'the present moment' is central to Lao Buddhism. Monks often use 'diao ni' in dharma talks to remind laypeople to stay mindful of the present. In Lao markets, 'diao ni' is used to negotiate. If you want a price 'now' before you walk away, this is the word you use. On Lao social media (Facebook/TikTok), 'diao ni' is often used in captions to show live updates or 'happening now' events.
The 'Loei' Boost
Add 'ເລີຍ' (loei) after 'ດຽວນີ້' to sound like a local when you're in a hurry. It shows you mean business!
Tone Matters
If you say 'ni' with the wrong tone, it might sound like 'debt' (ໜີ້). Keep it high and falling!
Signification
Referring to the current moment.
The 'Loei' Boost
Add 'ເລີຍ' (loei) after 'ດຽວນີ້' to sound like a local when you're in a hurry. It shows you mean business!
Tone Matters
If you say 'ni' with the wrong tone, it might sound like 'debt' (ໜີ້). Keep it high and falling!
Politeness
Always add 'ເດີ້' (der) at the end if you're asking someone to do something 'now' to keep it friendly.
Sentence Starter
Use 'ດຽວນີ້' to change the subject in a conversation. It's the perfect 'Anyway, moving on to now...'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'I want to eat now.'
ຂ້ອຍຢາກກິນເຂົ້າ ______.
'ດຽວນີ້' means now. 'ມື້ນີ້' means today, and 'ມື້ອື່ນ' means tomorrow.
Which sentence means 'Where are you now?'
Choose the correct Lao translation:
'ຢູ່ໃສ' means 'where' and 'ດຽວນີ້' means 'now.'
Complete the dialogue with the most urgent form of 'now'.
A: ພວກເຮົາຕ້ອງໄປແລ້ວ! B: ໂດຍ, ໄປ _______!
'ດຽວນີ້ເລີຍ' adds the 'loei' particle for maximum urgency.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are telling a friend you are currently busy.
'ຄາວຽກ' means busy with work, and 'ດຽວນີ້' makes it current.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍຢາກກິນເຂົ້າ ______.
'ດຽວນີ້' means now. 'ມື້ນີ້' means today, and 'ມື້ອື່ນ' means tomorrow.
Choose the correct Lao translation:
'ຢູ່ໃສ' means 'where' and 'ດຽວນີ້' means 'now.'
A: ພວກເຮົາຕ້ອງໄປແລ້ວ! B: ໂດຍ, ໄປ _______!
'ດຽວນີ້ເລີຍ' adds the 'loei' particle for maximum urgency.
Situation: You are telling a friend you are currently busy.
'ຄາວຽກ' means busy with work, and 'ດຽວນີ້' makes it current.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, in business, or in writing. Context and polite particles determine the final formality.
No, 'diao' alone usually means 'single' or is part of 'diao korn' (wait). You need the 'ni' to mean 'now'.
Usually at the very beginning or the very end. At the end is more common for commands or urgent actions.
Use 'ດຽວນີ້ເລີຍ' (diao ni loei).
'Diao ni' is more immediate (at this second), while 'torn ni' is more general (at this time/period).
It's better to use 'thuk mue ni' (every day this) for 'nowadays.' 'Diao ni' is too specific to the moment.
Yes, it is almost identical to the Thai 'เดี๋ยวนี้' (diaw-níi).
Add 'ກະລຸນາ' (karuna) at the start or 'ເດີ້' (der) at the end. e.g., 'ກະລຸນາເຮັດດຽວນີ້ເດີ້'.
No, Lao words do not have plural forms. 'Now' is always 'now'.
Sometimes in very informal speech it can mean 'in a moment,' but 'soon' is usually 'ໄວໆນີ້'.
Expressions liées
ຕອນນີ້
similarAt this time / currently
ດຽວນີ້ເລີຍ
specialized formRight this second
ບັດນີ້
similarNow / Henceforth
ດຽວກ່ອນ
contrastWait a minute
ທັນທີ
synonymImmediately
