Signification
Having a lot of work to do.
Contexte culturel
In Lao culture, being 'busy' is often seen as a sign of being a productive member of the family. However, it is rarely used to brag; it's mostly used as a humble explanation for one's absence. In Vientiane's growing business sector, 'ມີວຽກຫຼາຍ' is becoming a common way to signal status. It implies that the person is in demand and successful. The phrase is a key part of 'saving face.' It's much more polite to say you have work than to say you don't want to attend a social event. In villages, 'work' (viak) usually refers to physical labor in the fields or community projects. 'Mee viak lai' during harvest season is an expected state of being.
The 'Soft No'
Use this phrase whenever you want to say 'no' to an invitation without being rude.
Word Order
Never say 'Lai Viak'. It's always 'Viak Lai'.
Signification
Having a lot of work to do.
The 'Soft No'
Use this phrase whenever you want to say 'no' to an invitation without being rude.
Word Order
Never say 'Lai Viak'. It's always 'Viak Lai'.
Add 'Thae Thae'
Add 'ແທ້ໆ' (really) at the end to sound more sincere when you're busy.
Face Saving
Even if you don't have work, using this phrase is a culturally accepted way to stay home.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I have a lot of work.'
ຂ້ອຍ ___ ວຽກຫຼາຍ.
'ມີ' (mee) means 'to have,' which is the correct verb for this phrase.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct word order:
The correct order is Verb (ມີ) + Noun (ວຽກ) + Adjective (ຫຼາຍ).
Complete the dialogue with a polite excuse.
A: ໄປກິນເຂົ້າບໍ່? B: ຂໍໂທດເດີ້, ຂ້ອຍ _______.
'ມີວຽກຫຼາຍ' is the standard polite excuse for declining an invitation.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at the office and your desk is covered in papers. What do you say?
This phrase describes having a high workload.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍ ___ ວຽກຫຼາຍ.
'ມີ' (mee) means 'to have,' which is the correct verb for this phrase.
Select the correct word order:
The correct order is Verb (ມີ) + Noun (ວຽກ) + Adjective (ຫຼາຍ).
A: ໄປກິນເຂົ້າບໍ່? B: ຂໍໂທດເດີ້, ຂ້ອຍ _______.
'ມີວຽກຫຼາຍ' is the standard polite excuse for declining an invitation.
You are at the office and your desk is covered in papers. What do you say?
This phrase describes having a high workload.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Yes, although 'ວຽກບ້ານຫຼາຍ' (a lot of homework) is more specific.
'ວຽກ' is for tasks/labor, 'ງານ' is for events/festivals/ceremonies.
You can say 'ຂ້ອຍມີວຽກຫຼາຍແທ້ໆ' or 'ຂ້ອຍຍຸ້ງຫຼາຍ'.
No, but be careful not to sound like you are complaining about your duties.
It means 'many', 'much', or 'a lot' depending on the noun.
Yes, in casual speech, dropping 'ມີ' (to have) is very common.
Say 'ເຈົ້າມີວຽກຫຼາຍບໍ່?' (Chao mee viak lai bor?)
'ບໍ່ມີວຽກ' (No work) or 'ວ່າງ' (Free).
Lao uses 'viak' where Thai often uses 'ngan', though Lao also uses 'ngan' for events.
Expressions liées
ວຽກຍຸ້ງ
similarTo be busy/chaotic with work
ບໍ່ວ່າງ
synonymNot free / Busy
ວຽກໜັກ
specialized formHeavy work / Hard work
ເຮັດວຽກ
builds onTo work
