Signification
Expressing disapproval or poor quality.
Contexte culturel
Directly saying 'ບໍ່ດີ' to someone's face about their work or a gift is considered 'sia na' (losing face). It is better to use a euphemism. A 'bad person' (ຄົນບໍ່ດີ) is often thought to have 'bap' (bad karma). People might avoid them not just for social reasons but for spiritual ones. Lao people are very proud of their food. If you say 'ອາຫານບໍ່ດີ', it is a strong statement. Usually, they will just say it's 'phet' (too spicy) or 'khem' (too salty) instead of a blanket 'not good'. In a Lao office, 'ບໍ່ດີ' is rarely used in meetings. Feedback is usually given privately and in a very roundabout way to maintain harmony.
Softening is key
Always add 'pan dai' (not very) when giving feedback to Lao people to avoid sounding rude.
Tone matters
If you say 'Baw' with a high tone, it might sound like 'father' (ພໍ່) in some contexts, though the consonant is different.
Signification
Expressing disapproval or poor quality.
Softening is key
Always add 'pan dai' (not very) when giving feedback to Lao people to avoid sounding rude.
Tone matters
If you say 'Baw' with a high tone, it might sound like 'father' (ພໍ່) in some contexts, though the consonant is different.
The 'Feel' Verb
When talking about yourself, always use 'Hoo seuk' (feel) + 'Baw dee' so people know you are sick, not a villain.
Face Saving
If someone asks 'Is it good?' and it's terrible, a Lao person might just smile and say 'Baw pen nyang' (It's okay) instead of 'Baw dee'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'This phone is not good.'
ໂທລະສັບນີ້ ____ ດີ.
'ບໍ່' is the negator used before adjectives in Lao.
How do you say 'very bad'?
Which phrase means 'very bad'?
'ຫຼາຍ' means 'very' or 'a lot'. When added to 'ບໍ່ດີ', it intensifies the 'badness'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You feel sick and want to tell a friend.
'ຮູ້ສຶກ' means 'to feel', which is the correct way to describe health.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເບຍນີ້ດີບໍ່? (Is this beer good?) B: ບໍ່, ມັນ _______.
The speaker is confirming that the beer is not good.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Intensity of 'Bad'
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesໂທລະສັບນີ້ ____ ດີ.
'ບໍ່' is the negator used before adjectives in Lao.
Which phrase means 'very bad'?
'ຫຼາຍ' means 'very' or 'a lot'. When added to 'ບໍ່ດີ', it intensifies the 'badness'.
You feel sick and want to tell a friend.
'ຮູ້ສຶກ' means 'to feel', which is the correct way to describe health.
A: ເບຍນີ້ດີບໍ່? (Is this beer good?) B: ບໍ່, ມັນ _______.
The speaker is confirming that the beer is not good.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it's a strong criticism. It means they are a 'bad person'. Use it carefully.
'ບໍ່ດີ' is 'not good' (general), while 'ຊົ່ວ' is 'evil' or 'wicked' (moral).
You can say 'ບໍ່ດີປານໃດ' or 'ກໍພໍໃຊ້ໄດ້' (it's usable/okay).
Mostly, but it can also mean 'unwell' or 'broken' depending on the subject.
It's better to be specific (e.g., 'too salty') or add 'pan dai' to be softer.
It is written as ບໍ່ດີ.
Yes, 'ອາກາດບໍ່ດີ' is the standard way to say the weather is bad.
The opposite is simply 'ດີ' (good).
Yes, but more specific terms like 'ຂາດຄຸນນະພາບ' are often preferred.
Yes, it's very common to use it for entertainment reviews.
Expressions liées
ບໍ່ຄັກ
similarNot great / Not cool
ຊົ່ວ
specialized formEvil / Wicked
ຮ້າຍ
synonymBad / Fierce
ໃຊ້ບໍ່ໄດ້
specialized formUseless / Broken
ບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງ
contrastIt's okay / No problem
