Signification
Literally 'light hands and feet'; moving very quietly.
Contexte culturel
In Lao homes, it is polite to walk slightly hunched and quietly when passing elders as a sign of respect. When entering a 'Sim' (ordination hall), being 'tin mue bao' is essential to maintain the meditative atmosphere. Hunters in the Lao jungle pride themselves on being 'tin mue bao' to track wildlife without being detected. In shared apartment living in Vientiane, this phrase is used to remind roommates to be considerate at night.
Use it as a compliment
Telling someone they are 'tin mue bao' is a great way to praise their gracefulness or consideration.
Don't reverse it
Always say 'tin' (feet) before 'mue' (hands). Saying 'mue tin bao' sounds like you're a beginner.
Signification
Literally 'light hands and feet'; moving very quietly.
Use it as a compliment
Telling someone they are 'tin mue bao' is a great way to praise their gracefulness or consideration.
Don't reverse it
Always say 'tin' (feet) before 'mue' (hands). Saying 'mue tin bao' sounds like you're a beginner.
Add 'ໆ' for emphasis
Saying 'ຕີນມືເບົາໆ' (tin mue bao bao) makes it sound softer and more natural in casual conversation.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
ແມວເປັນສັດທີ່ ___ ___ ເບົາ.
The correct order is 'tin' (feet) then 'mue' (hands).
Which situation best fits the use of 'ຕີນມືເບົາ'?
When should you be 'ຕີນມືເບົາ'?
The idiom means moving quietly to avoid disturbing others.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ລູກຫຼັບແລ້ວບໍ? B: ຫຼັບແລ້ວ, ___ ___ ___ ເດີ້.
You should be quiet (tin mue bao) when a baby is sleeping.
Match the Lao phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the core vocabulary components.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesແມວເປັນສັດທີ່ ___ ___ ເບົາ.
The correct order is 'tin' (feet) then 'mue' (hands).
When should you be 'ຕີນມືເບົາ'?
The idiom means moving quietly to avoid disturbing others.
A: ລູກຫຼັບແລ້ວບໍ? B: ຫຼັບແລ້ວ, ___ ___ ___ ເດີ້.
You should be quiet (tin mue bao) when a baby is sleeping.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the core vocabulary components.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is actually very polite. It describes someone who is careful not to disturb others.
Yes, it can be used to describe a thief's stealth, but it's not inherently a 'bad' word.
No, it has nothing to do with the size of your hands or feet, only the sound they make.
Yes! If a heavy person moves very quietly, you can say they are 'tin mue bao' as a surprise or compliment.
Yes, Thai has the exact same idiom (ตีนมือเบา), and it is understood perfectly in both countries.
The opposite is 'ຕີນມືໜັກ' (tin mue nak), meaning heavy-footed or clumsy.
You can say 'ຕີນມືເບົາໆເດີ້' (tin mue bao bao der).
It is neutral. You can use it in almost any setting.
No, it is only for living things (people, animals).
In some contexts, 'mue bao' (light hands) can mean a pickpocket, but 'tin mue bao' usually just means quiet movement.
Expressions liées
ຍ່າງຄ່ອຍໆ
similarTo walk slowly/carefully
ມິດງຽບ
synonymPerfectly silent
ຕີນມືໜັກ
contrastHeavy-handed/footed; clumsy
ມືເບົາ
specialized formGentle touch (often for doctors or thieves)
