Signification
Literally 'cut the heart'.
Contexte culturel
The word 'Chai' (heart) is central to Lao identity. Deciding is seen as an emotional labor, not just a mental one. The concept of 'cutting' (Tat) relates to the Buddhist idea of severing ties to worldly confusion to find a clear path. Decisions are often made by the highest-ranking person after listening to the group. The word 'ຊີ້ຂາດ' is often used for these top-down decisions. Younger generations use 'ຕັດສິນໃຈ' when posting about lifestyle changes, often accompanied by the 'peace' sign or 'fighting' emoji.
The 'Laew' Rule
Always add 'ແລ້ວ' (laew) if the decision is finished. It makes you sound much more native.
Don't 'Make' it
Never use the word 'het' (make) with this phrase. It's a verb on its own.
Signification
Literally 'cut the heart'.
The 'Laew' Rule
Always add 'ແລ້ວ' (laew) if the decision is finished. It makes you sound much more native.
Don't 'Make' it
Never use the word 'het' (make) with this phrase. It's a verb on its own.
Polite Stalling
If you don't want to buy something, say 'ຍັງບໍ່ທັນຕັດສິນໃຈ' (Haven't decided yet) and walk away slowly. It's very polite.
Heart Words
Learn this word alongside 'Sabaidee-chai' (Happy) to see how 'Chai' works in Lao.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I decided to go to the market.'
ຂ້ອຍ _______ ໄປຕະຫຼາດ.
The full phrase 'ຕັດສິນໃຈ' is needed for the verb 'to decide'.
How do you say 'I haven't decided yet'?
Which one is correct?
'ຍັງບໍ່ທັນ' means 'not yet', which is the natural way to say you haven't decided.
Match the Lao phrase to its English meaning.
Match these:
Matching the verb with its common modifiers.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເຈົ້າຈະກິນຫຍັງ? B: ຂ້ອຍ... (I decided to eat Pho).
Directly follow the verb with the action.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Decide vs. Agree
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍ _______ ໄປຕະຫຼາດ.
The full phrase 'ຕັດສິນໃຈ' is needed for the verb 'to decide'.
Which one is correct?
'ຍັງບໍ່ທັນ' means 'not yet', which is the natural way to say you haven't decided.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching the verb with its common modifiers.
A: ເຈົ້າຈະກິນຫຍັງ? B: ຂ້ອຍ... (I decided to eat Pho).
Directly follow the verb with the action.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it's perfectly fine for friends. It's the standard word for 'decide' at all levels.
Yes, but 'ເອົາ' (to take) is more common for very small choices. Use 'ຕັດສິນໃຈ' if you were actually thinking about it for a second.
'Tat sin chai' is the internal process of deciding. 'Tok long' is the act of agreeing or settling on a deal.
Say 'ກຳລັງຕັດສິນໃຈຢູ່' (Kam-lang tat sin chai yu).
Not at all. It's a positive, proactive word implying clarity.
Yes, add 'ການ' (Kan) in front: 'ການຕັດສິນໃຈ' (The decision).
No, it's an unaspirated 't', like the 't' in 'stop'.
In Lao, the heart is where thoughts and decisions happen, not the brain.
No, you must say 'I decide to choose you' (ຂ້ອຍຕັດສິນໃຈເລືອກເຈົ້າ).
Yes, it is identical in Thai (ตัดสินใจ), so learning it helps with both languages!
You can say 'ຄົນທີ່ຕັດສິນໃຈໄວ' (A person who decides fast).
'ລັງເລໃຈ' (Lang-le-chai) which means to hesitate.
Context usually tells the tense, but 'laew' is much clearer.
No, it is a standard dictionary word.
Expressions liées
ຕົກລົງ
similarTo agree / To settle
ເລືອກ
builds onTo choose
ສອງຈິດສອງໃຈ
contrastTwo minds, two hearts
ປ່ຽນໃຈ
builds onTo change one's mind
ຕາມໃຈ
similarUp to you
