Signification
Literally 'fallen heart', meaning surprised.
Contexte culturel
The 'Baci' or 'Sou Khwan' ceremony is the ultimate cultural response to being 'Tok Chai'. It is believed that shock can cause your 32 spirits to leave your body, leading to illness. Tying a white string 'calls' them back. Because Lao people value 'Yen Chai' (a cool heart), causing someone to 'Tok Chai' is seen as slightly rude or disruptive. Always apologize if you startle someone. Pregnant women are often told to avoid things that make them 'Tok Chai' (like horror movies or loud noises) to protect the spirit of the unborn child. On social media, 'Tok Chai' is used with emojis like 😱 or 😲 to react to viral news or 'tea' (gossip). It has become a standard reaction word in the digital 'comment' culture.
Add 'Mot'
Always add 'mot' (ໝົດ) after 'tok chai' to sound more like a native speaker when you are really surprised.
Not for 'Happy'
Avoid using it for a surprise party unless you were actually scared by the shouting!
Signification
Literally 'fallen heart', meaning surprised.
Add 'Mot'
Always add 'mot' (ໝົດ) after 'tok chai' to sound more like a native speaker when you are really surprised.
Not for 'Happy'
Avoid using it for a surprise party unless you were actually scared by the shouting!
The Apology
If you make an elder 'tok chai', a quick 'Kho thod' (sorry) is essential for politeness.
Use as a Noun
You can say 'Khwam tok chai' (The shock) to turn it into a noun for more formal writing.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'I was so surprised when I saw the ghost.'
ຂ້ອຍ ____ ຫຼາຍເມື່ອເຫັນຜີ.
ຕົກໃຈ (Tok Chai) means surprised/startled, which fits seeing a ghost. ດີໃຈ means happy, ຫິວເຂົ້າ means hungry, and ນອນຫຼັບ means sleeping.
Fill in the blank to say 'Don't scare me!'
ຢ່າເຮັດໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍ ____.
The phrase 'ຢ່າເຮັດໃຫ້...ຕົກໃຈ' means 'Don't make (someone) startled'.
Match the situation to the phrase.
A balloon pops right behind your ear.
A loud noise like a balloon popping causes a sudden startle, which is 'Tok Chai Mot'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ມື້ນີ້ຂ້ອຍຊື້ລົດໃໝ່! B: ________! ຄືລວຍແທ້?
B is expressing surprise at the news of a new car.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to say 'Tok Chai!'
Physical
- • Thunder
- • Loud Bang
- • Jump Scare
Information
- • Winning Lottery
- • Price Hike
- • Sudden News
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍ ____ ຫຼາຍເມື່ອເຫັນຜີ.
ຕົກໃຈ (Tok Chai) means surprised/startled, which fits seeing a ghost. ດີໃຈ means happy, ຫິວເຂົ້າ means hungry, and ນອນຫຼັບ means sleeping.
ຢ່າເຮັດໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍ ____.
The phrase 'ຢ່າເຮັດໃຫ້...ຕົກໃຈ' means 'Don't make (someone) startled'.
A balloon pops right behind your ear.
A loud noise like a balloon popping causes a sudden startle, which is 'Tok Chai Mot'.
A: ມື້ນີ້ຂ້ອຍຊື້ລົດໃໝ່! B: ________! ຄືລວຍແທ້?
B is expressing surprise at the news of a new car.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot necessarily. It's neutral. You can be 'Tok Chai' by winning the lottery or by a car crash. It's about the suddenness.
No, that usually implies disappointment. Use 'Phit vang' (disappointed) instead.
'Teun' means to wake up or be alert. 'Teun Tok Chai' is a more panicked version of shock.
Say 'Man na tok chai' (ມັນໜ້າຕົກໃຈ).
Yes, it is a neutral term and perfectly polite.
In Lao, almost all emotions are centered in the 'Chai' (heart), not the brain.
Yes, you can say 'Ma tok chai' (The dog is startled).
Younger people might say 'Tok chai haeng' (Shocked strongly).
No! A heart attack is 'Houa chai vai'. 'Tok chai' is just an emotion.
Yes, if the gift was totally unexpected.
Expressions liées
ດີໃຈ
similarHappy
ເສຍໃຈ
similarSad/Sorry
ປະຫຼາດໃຈ
synonymAmazed/Surprised
ຕື່ນເຕັ້ນ
similarExcited
ໃຈຮ້ອນ
contrastHot-headed/Impatient
