Signification
Asking if someone has specific information.
Contexte culturel
Lao people are generally very helpful. If you ask 'Chao hou bo?' for directions, they might point you in a direction even if they aren't 100% sure, just to avoid being unhelpful. In the capital, 'Chao hou bo?' is frequently used to discuss new cafes, restaurants, or events, reflecting the city's growing modern social scene. In Luang Prabang, the language can be more formal. You might hear 'than' (formal you) instead of 'chao' in official contexts. Among the diaspora, the phrase is often mixed with English or French, but 'hou bo' remains a core linguistic anchor.
Drop the Subject
With close friends, just say 'Hou bo?' to sound more natural.
The Person Rule
Always remember: People = Hou-chak. Facts = Hou.
Signification
Asking if someone has specific information.
Drop the Subject
With close friends, just say 'Hou bo?' to sound more natural.
The Person Rule
Always remember: People = Hou-chak. Facts = Hou.
The 'Wa' Connector
Master the word 'wa' (ວ່າ) to ask complex questions like 'Do you know that...'.
Smile
Lao is a tonal language, but a smile helps convey your polite intent regardless of tone errors.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask 'Do you know?'
ເຈົ້າ___ບໍ?
'ຮູ້' (hou) means 'to know'.
Which sentence is correct for asking 'Do you know Somchai?'
Asking about a person named Somchai:
You must use 'hou-chak' for people.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເຈົ້າຮູ້ບໍວ່າຮ້ານອາຫານເປີດຈັກໂມງ? B: ________.
'ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຮູ້' means 'I don't know', which is a logical response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to tell your friend a secret.
'ເຈົ້າຮູ້ບໍ?' is often used to introduce news or secrets.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesເຈົ້າ___ບໍ?
'ຮູ້' (hou) means 'to know'.
Asking about a person named Somchai:
You must use 'hou-chak' for people.
A: ເຈົ້າຮູ້ບໍວ່າຮ້ານອາຫານເປີດຈັກໂມງ? B: ________.
'ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຮູ້' means 'I don't know', which is a logical response.
You want to tell your friend a secret.
'ເຈົ້າຮູ້ບໍ?' is often used to introduce news or secrets.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsMostly, but only for information. For people, use 'hou-chak'.
Say 'Khoy bor hou' (ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຮູ້).
It's better to use more formal language and add 'doi' at the end.
ບໍ is for questions, ບໍ່ is for 'no/not'.
Only with elders or superiors. With friends, it's normal.
No, Lao verbs don't change. Add 'laeo' for 'already knew'.
Say 'Chao hou bo wa pen yang?'.
Yes, but they say 'Rúu mái?' (รู้ไหม).
Yes, as a hook like 'Did you know...?'
Context usually helps, but try to keep 'bo' high for questions.
Expressions liées
ເຈົ້າຮູ້ຈັກບໍ?
similarDo you know (familiarity)?
ເຈົ້າເຂົ້າໃຈບໍ?
similarDo you understand?
ແມ່ນບໍ?
builds onRight? / Is it?
ເຈົ້າຄິດວ່າແນວໃດ?
contrastWhat do you think?
ຂ້ອຍຮູ້ແລ້ວ
specialized formI already know.
