Signification
A standard inquiry about someone's well-being.
Contexte culturel
The 'Nop' gesture is essential. When asking 'Chao sabai dee bo?', your hands should be at chest level for peers and nose level for elders. The Isan people speak a dialect very similar to Lao and use 'Sabai dee bo' frequently, though 'Sabai dee mai' (Thai influence) is also heard. In the diaspora, the phrase remains a vital link to cultural identity, though it's often mixed with English or French greetings. Lao business culture is hierarchical. Always wait for the elder or higher-ranking person to initiate the greeting if possible, or use 'Thaan' to be safe.
The 'Nop' is Key
Always use the Nop gesture when asking this to someone older than you.
Don't say 'Maen'
Avoid saying 'Chao maen sabai dee bo'. It sounds like 'Are you the definition of well?'
Signification
A standard inquiry about someone's well-being.
The 'Nop' is Key
Always use the Nop gesture when asking this to someone older than you.
Don't say 'Maen'
Avoid saying 'Chao maen sabai dee bo'. It sounds like 'Are you the definition of well?'
Drop the 'Chao'
To sound more like a local with friends, just say 'Sabai dee bo?' with a smile.
The 'Rice' Greeting
If someone asks 'Kin khao laeo bor?', they are basically asking how you are. Just say 'Kin laeo' (Eaten already).
Teste-toi
Complete the greeting.
ສະບາຍດີ, ເຈົ້າ_______ບໍ່?
The full phrase is 'ສະບາຍດີ' (well/good).
Which is the correct question particle for 'How are you?'
Chao sabai dee ____?
'Bo' is the standard question particle in Lao.
Fill in the response.
A: ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ່? B: ________, ຂອບໃຈ.
'Khoy sabai dee' means 'I am well'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Meeting a close friend casually.
'Pen chang dai' is the casual 'How's it going?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to ask 'How are you?'
Formal
- • ທ່ານສະບາຍດີບໍ່?
- • ສະບາຍດີຫຼືບໍ່?
Neutral
- • ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ່?
- • ສະບາຍດີບໍ່?
Informal
- • ເປັນຈັງໃດ?
- • ກິນເຂົ້າແລ້ວບໍ່?
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesສະບາຍດີ, ເຈົ້າ_______ບໍ່?
The full phrase is 'ສະບາຍດີ' (well/good).
Chao sabai dee ____?
'Bo' is the standard question particle in Lao.
A: ເຈົ້າສະບາຍດີບໍ່? B: ________, ຂອບໃຈ.
'Khoy sabai dee' means 'I am well'.
Meeting a close friend casually.
'Pen chang dai' is the casual 'How's it going?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsThe most common answer is 'Sabai dee, khop chai' (I'm well, thank you).
Yes, but you might say 'Thuk khon sabai dee bo?' (Is everyone well?).
Yes, 'Bo' means 'No' or 'Not', but at the end of a sentence, it's a question mark.
You can say 'Bo koy sabai' (Not very well) or 'Pen khai' (I have a fever).
In Thai, they say 'Sabai dee mai?'. The 'mai' and 'bo' are the main difference.
A slight head nod while doing the Nop is perfect.
Yes, it's a very common and polite way to start an email.
In Romanization, both are used. In Lao script, it is ບໍ່.
No, it's often dropped in casual conversation.
It means comfortable, relaxed, or healthy.
Yes, it's perfectly fine and very sweet.
Say 'Chao de?' or 'Laeo chao de?'.
Expressions liées
ສະບາຍດີ
builds onHello / I am well
ເປັນຈັງໃດ?
similarHow's it going?
ກິນເຂົ້າແລ້ວບໍ່?
specialized formHave you eaten yet?
ບໍ່ສະບາຍ
contrastNot well / Sick
