Signification
Don't believe everything you hear.
Contexte culturel
In Lao culture, maintaining social harmony (Muon) is vital. This phrase allows you to disagree with someone's information without calling them a liar, which would cause 'loss of face'. The proverb aligns with the 'Kalama Sutta', where the Buddha taught not to believe things based on hearsay, tradition, or even the authority of a teacher without personal verification. With the rise of Facebook and WhatsApp in Laos, this proverb has seen a massive resurgence as a tool against 'Fake News' and online scams. In rural villages, where 'word of mouth' is the primary news source, this proverb is a survival mechanism to prevent village-wide conflicts based on rumors.
The 'Der' Factor
Always add 'ເດີ' (der) at the end when giving this as advice to friends. It makes you sound like a caring friend rather than a strict teacher.
Don't use for facts
If someone tells you 'The meeting is at 2 PM,' don't say 'Fang hou vai hou.' It makes you look disorganized or like you don't trust basic logistics.
Signification
Don't believe everything you hear.
The 'Der' Factor
Always add 'ເດີ' (der) at the end when giving this as advice to friends. It makes you sound like a caring friend rather than a strict teacher.
Don't use for facts
If someone tells you 'The meeting is at 2 PM,' don't say 'Fang hou vai hou.' It makes you look disorganized or like you don't trust basic logistics.
The Polite Skeptic
This is your best tool for avoiding scams in Lao markets or with pushy street vendors without being rude.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
ຟັງ...ໄວ້...
The proverb specifically uses 'ear' (ຫູ) twice.
Which situation best fits the use of 'ຟັງຫູໄວ້ຫູ'?
A friend tells you that a local shop is giving away free iPhones to everyone.
This is a classic 'too good to be true' scenario where skepticism is needed.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ຍິນວ່າປີນີ້ຝົນຊິບໍ່ຕົກເລີຍ. B: ............
B's response correctly uses the proverb to advise caution regarding unverified weather rumors.
What is the figurative meaning of 'ຟັງຫູໄວ້ຫູ'?
What does it actually mean?
The phrase is a metaphor for discernment.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຟັງ...ໄວ້...
The proverb specifically uses 'ear' (ຫູ) twice.
A friend tells you that a local shop is giving away free iPhones to everyone.
This is a classic 'too good to be true' scenario where skepticism is needed.
A: ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ຍິນວ່າປີນີ້ຝົນຊິບໍ່ຕົກເລີຍ. B: ............
B's response correctly uses the proverb to advise caution regarding unverified weather rumors.
What does it actually mean?
The phrase is a metaphor for discernment.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is generally considered a sign of wisdom and maturity. However, tone matters—say it gently.
Yes, but it's better to use the more formal 'ຄວນພິຈາລະນາຢ່າງລະອຽດ' (should consider carefully). Use the proverb in spoken meetings.
Not necessarily. It means you think the *information* might be incomplete or unverified.
The opposite is 'ຫູເບົາ' (Hou bao), which means being gullible or 'light-eared'.
Yes, it is identical in Thai (ฟังหูไว้หู), so it's a 'buy one get one free' proverb for learners of both languages!
This is exactly how you say it: 'Fang hou vai hou'.
It is better to listen to parents respectfully. Using this might seem like you are questioning their authority unless they are telling you gossip about a neighbor.
Younger people might just say 'ຢ່າໂມ້' (Ya mo) which means 'don't brag/lie', but it's much ruder.
Usually it's for things you hear. For things you see, we say 'ເບິ່ງໃຫ້ຄັກໆ' (Look closely).
The 'keep' (vai) implies you are saving that ear for the truth that will come later.
Expressions liées
ຟັງຄວາມສອງກໍ້າ
similarListen to both sides.
ຢ່າເຊື່ອງ່າຍ
synonymDon't believe easily.
ສິບປາກເວົ້າ ບໍ່ທໍ່ຕາເຫັນ
builds onTen mouths speaking is not equal to one eye seeing.
ເຊື່ອຄົນງ່າຍ
contrastTo be gullible (believe people easily).
