Signification
Expressing disagreement.
Contexte culturel
Lao people often avoid direct disagreement to maintain 'Face.' You might hear 'Bo hen dee pan dai' (I don't really agree) even when they completely disagree. In meetings, silence can sometimes mean 'ບໍ່ເຫັນດີ.' If no one says 'ເຫັນດີ,' it's a sign to rethink the proposal. Children rarely say 'ບໍ່ເຫັນດີ' directly to parents. They might use more indirect language or simply stay quiet. Agreement is often linked to 'merit.' If a plan is seen as 'not good' (bo dee), it is spiritually avoided.
Soften it up
Add 'pan dai' (not much) to the end to sound more polite when disagreeing with an elder.
Not for eyes!
Remember, if you can't see your keys, don't say 'bo hen dee'!
Signification
Expressing disagreement.
Soften it up
Add 'pan dai' (not much) to the end to sound more polite when disagreeing with an elder.
Not for eyes!
Remember, if you can't see your keys, don't say 'bo hen dee'!
The Lao 'No'
Sometimes people say 'bo hen dee' when they actually mean 'absolutely not,' but they want to be polite.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'I don't agree with you.'
ຂ້ອຍ___ກັບເຈົ້າ.
'ບໍ່ເຫັນດີ' is the correct phrase for 'disagree.'
Which sentence is the most formal way to disagree?
Choose the formal option:
The use of 'ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ' (I - formal) and 'ບໍ່ເຫັນດີ' makes it the most formal.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ພວກເຮົາໄປກິນເບຍບໍ່? B: ____, ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງຂັບລົດ.
B is giving a reason why they cannot go, so they are disagreeing with the suggestion.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: A government official rejecting a new law.
'ບໍ່ເຫັນດີ' is the appropriate formal term for official rejection.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍ___ກັບເຈົ້າ.
'ບໍ່ເຫັນດີ' is the correct phrase for 'disagree.'
Choose the formal option:
The use of 'ຂ້າພະເຈົ້າ' (I - formal) and 'ບໍ່ເຫັນດີ' makes it the most formal.
A: ພວກເຮົາໄປກິນເບຍບໍ່? B: ____, ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງຂັບລົດ.
B is giving a reason why they cannot go, so they are disagreeing with the suggestion.
Situation: A government official rejecting a new law.
'ບໍ່ເຫັນດີ' is the appropriate formal term for official rejection.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, use 'bo mak' (don't like) or 'bo saep' (not delicious).
No, it's a standard polite way to disagree, especially if you provide a reason.
'Bo hen dee' is more formal/neutral; 'bo hen nam' is more casual.
Add 'loey' at the end: 'Khoy bo hen dee loey.'
Yes, it's very common in texting and social media.
In very casual speech, people might just say 'bo hen nam.'
No, that would be 'beung bo hen.'
Yes, but use 'khá-pha-chao' for 'I' to be extra respectful.
The opposite is 'hen dee' (to agree).
Thai uses 'mai hen duay,' which is similar but uses 'with' instead of 'good.'
Expressions liées
ເຫັນດີ
contrastTo agree
ບໍ່ເຫັນນຳ
similarTo disagree (informal)
ຕົກລົງ
similarTo agree/settle
ຄັດຄ້ານ
specialized formTo oppose
ບໍ່ແມ່ນ
similarNot correct
ເຫັນພ້ອມ
similarTo agree unanimously
