Signification
Preparing to sleep.
Contexte culturel
In traditional Lao homes, the 'sleeping place' is often a mat on the floor. Even with modern beds, the phrase 'bon non' (sleeping place) is preferred over 'tiang' (bed frame). It is considered bad luck to sleep with your feet pointing toward the door or toward the head of an elder. 'Entering the sleeping place' involves positioning oneself correctly. Bedtime is often communal. It's common for young children to sleep in the same 'bon non' as their parents, emphasizing family warmth (op-un). When someone says they are 'entering the sleeping place', it is a signal for others to lower their voices and respect the quiet of the night.
Use 'Pai' for natural flow
Adding 'Pai' (go) before the phrase makes it sound more natural in spoken Lao: 'Pai khao bon non'.
Avoid 'Tiang' in rural areas
If you are in a village, saying 'khao bon non' is much more appropriate than 'khuen tiang' as many people still sleep on mats.
Signification
Preparing to sleep.
Use 'Pai' for natural flow
Adding 'Pai' (go) before the phrase makes it sound more natural in spoken Lao: 'Pai khao bon non'.
Avoid 'Tiang' in rural areas
If you are in a village, saying 'khao bon non' is much more appropriate than 'khuen tiang' as many people still sleep on mats.
The 'Goodnight' combo
Always follow 'Khoy si khao bon non laeo der' with 'Fun dee' (Dream well) for a perfect Lao sign-off.
Master the tones
The rising tone on 'Khao' is key. If you say it with a flat tone, it might sound like 'rice' (ເຂົ້າ - though spelled the same, the context and tone matter).
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase 'Go to bed'.
ຂ້ອຍຊິເຂົ້າ...ນອນ.
The standard collocation is 'ບ່ອນນອນ' (bon non).
Which sentence means 'I have already gone to bed'?
Select the correct Lao sentence:
'ແລ້ວ' (laeo) indicates a completed action.
Match the Lao phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are very tired and telling your friend you are leaving the party to sleep.
This is the appropriate way to announce you are retiring for the night.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ມັນເດິກແລ້ວໃດ໋. B: ແມ່ນແລ້ວ, ຂ້ອຍຊິ... (I will go to bed).
Given that it's late (ເດິກ), going to bed is the logical response.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Casual vs. Neutral
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍຊິເຂົ້າ...ນອນ.
The standard collocation is 'ບ່ອນນອນ' (bon non).
Select the correct Lao sentence:
'ແລ້ວ' (laeo) indicates a completed action.
Situation: You are very tired and telling your friend you are leaving the party to sleep.
This is the appropriate way to announce you are retiring for the night.
A: ມັນເດິກແລ້ວໃດ໋. B: ແມ່ນແລ້ວ, ຂ້ອຍຊິ... (I will go to bed).
Given that it's late (ເດິກ), going to bed is the logical response.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly polite for all ages and situations.
Usually no. For a nap, use 'ໄປງີບ' (pai ngip).
'Bon non' is the specific spot/bed, while 'hong non' is the entire bedroom.
In Lao, you can drop the subject if it's clear. 'Si khao bon non laeo' is fine.
ຂ້ອຍເມື່ອຍຫຼາຍຈົນບໍ່ຢາກເຂົ້າບ່ອນນອນ (though usually, tiredness makes you want to go!).
Yes, 'ພັກຜ່ອນ' (phak phon) is used in formal or medical contexts.
Yes, you can tell your dog 'ໄປເຂົ້າບ່ອນນອນ!'.
It means 'place' or 'spot'.
Yes, it is virtually identical in Thai (เข้าบ่อนอน), though 'khao non' is more common in Bangkok.
ຂ້ອຍຢູ່ໃນບ່ອນນອນແລ້ວ (Khoy yu nai bon non laeo).
Expressions liées
ໄປນອນ
synonymGo to sleep
ຫຼັບສະບາຍ
similarSleep well
ຕື່ນນອນ
contrastTo wake up
ມ້ຽນບ່ອນ
builds onTo make the bed / tidy the sleeping area
ຫ້ອງນອນ
specialized formBedroom
