Signification
Asking for a small price reduction.
Contexte culturel
Bargaining is expected but should be gentle. It's often called 'lom kan' (talking to each other). Never push for a price that is clearly below cost. It makes the seller lose face and is considered greedy. Drivers often quote a higher 'tourist price' initially. Bargaining is standard practice here. Morning markets (for locals) have less room for bargaining than tourist night markets.
The Power of the Smile
In Laos, a smile is your best bargaining tool. A friendly 'Sabaidee' followed by the phrase works wonders.
Don't be 'Kee Nieow'
Don't be 'stingy' (kee nieow) over tiny amounts. If the difference is only 1,000 Kip ($0.05), just pay it.
Signification
Asking for a small price reduction.
The Power of the Smile
In Laos, a smile is your best bargaining tool. A friendly 'Sabaidee' followed by the phrase works wonders.
Don't be 'Kee Nieow'
Don't be 'stingy' (kee nieow) over tiny amounts. If the difference is only 1,000 Kip ($0.05), just pay it.
The Walk-Away
If the price is still too high, politely say 'Kop chai' and start to walk away. Often, the seller will call you back with a lower price.
Teste-toi
Complete the phrase to ask for a discount.
ຫຼຸດໄດ້_______ບໍ່?
'ໜ້ອຍໜຶ່ງ' means 'a little bit', which is the standard way to soften the request.
Which of these is the most polite way to ask for a discount?
Choose the best option:
Adding 'chao' at the end makes it polite and respectful.
Match the situation to the correct action.
You are at a modern supermarket (Mini Big C). Should you say 'ຫຼຸດໄດ້ໜ້ອຍໜຶ່ງບໍ່?'
Supermarkets have fixed prices; bargaining is not appropriate there.
Complete the dialogue.
Seller: 'ແປດສິບພັນກີບ.' Learner: 'ໂອ້, ແພງຫຼາຍ! _________?'
After hearing a price is expensive, the logical next step is to ask for a reduction.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to Bargain in Laos
Bargain Here ✅
- • Night Markets
- • Tuk-Tuks
- • Morning Markets
- • Independent Guesthouses
Don't Bargain ❌
- • Malls
- • Convenience Stores
- • Upscale Restaurants
- • Pharmacies
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຫຼຸດໄດ້_______ບໍ່?
'ໜ້ອຍໜຶ່ງ' means 'a little bit', which is the standard way to soften the request.
Choose the best option:
Adding 'chao' at the end makes it polite and respectful.
You are at a modern supermarket (Mini Big C). Should you say 'ຫຼຸດໄດ້ໜ້ອຍໜຶ່ງບໍ່?'
Supermarkets have fixed prices; bargaining is not appropriate there.
Seller: 'ແປດສິບພັນກີບ.' Learner: 'ໂອ້, ແພງຫຼາຍ! _________?'
After hearing a price is expensive, the logical next step is to ask for a reduction.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's expected in markets and for transport. However, it's rude if you are aggressive or do it in fixed-price shops.
Usually 10-20% is reasonable. Asking for 50% off is generally considered insulting unless the initial price was extremely inflated.
You can use it for bulk fruit or vegetables, but rarely for a single plate of street food or in a restaurant.
It means 'Cannot reduce'. At this point, you should either pay the price or politely decline.
In this context, 'dai' means 'can' or 'is possible'. It's part of the question structure.
Yes, especially with Tuk-Tuks. For official taxis with meters, you don't bargain.
Yes, you can add 'chao' at the end: 'Lut dai noi neung bo chao?'.
It literally means 'one little'. 'Noi' (little) + 'Neung' (one).
No, prices in malls like Parkson are fixed.
It's 'Lakha mittaphap'. You can ask for it if you've built a good rapport with the seller.
Expressions liées
ແພງໂພດ
similarToo expensive
ຖືກຫຼາຍ
contrastVery cheap
ລາຄາສຸດທ້າຍ
specialized formFinal price
ແຖມໃຫ້ແດ່
similarGive me something extra for free
