Signification
Used to direct someone in a specific direction.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often accompanied by a slight bow of the head, especially if the person being guided is older or of higher status. In Thailand, the equivalent is 'Choen thang nee.' The languages are mutually intelligible, but the Lao 'Sern' has a distinct soft 's' sound compared to the Thai 'ch'. The use of 'Sern' reflects Buddhist values of hospitality and making others feel at ease (Sabaay). In Lao luxury hotels, staff are trained to say this while keeping their other hand behind their back or at their side to show humility.
The Palm Rule
Always keep your fingers together and palm open when gesturing. Never point!
Add 'Chao'
Adding 'Chao' at the end makes you sound like a pro in the service industry.
Signification
Used to direct someone in a specific direction.
The Palm Rule
Always keep your fingers together and palm open when gesturing. Never point!
Add 'Chao'
Adding 'Chao' at the end makes you sound like a pro in the service industry.
Don't use with friends
Using this with your best friend might make them think you're joking or being sarcastic.
Eye Contact
Make brief eye contact and smile before gesturing toward the path.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing polite verb.
[____] ທາງນີ້ເຈົ້າ.
'ເຊີນ' (Sern) is the correct polite verb for inviting someone this way.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You are a waiter leading a family to their table.
This is the standard polite phrase for service staff.
Complete the dialogue.
Guest: 'ຂໍໂທດ, ຫ້ອງນັ່ງຫຼິ້ນຢູ່ໃສ?' -> Host: 'ໂອ້, [____].'
The host should politely guide the guest to the living room.
Which gesture should accompany 'ເຊີນທາງນີ້'?
An open palm is the culturally respectful way to show direction in Laos.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to use 'Sern Thang Nee'
Hospitality
- • Hotels
- • Restaurants
- • Cafes
Home
- • Welcoming Guests
- • Showing Rooms
- • Parties
Public
- • Museums
- • Airports
- • Offices
Banque d exercices
4 exercices[____] ທາງນີ້ເຈົ້າ.
'ເຊີນ' (Sern) is the correct polite verb for inviting someone this way.
You are a waiter leading a family to their table.
This is the standard polite phrase for service staff.
Guest: 'ຂໍໂທດ, ຫ້ອງນັ່ງຫຼິ້ນຢູ່ໃສ?' -> Host: 'ໂອ້, [____].'
The host should politely guide the guest to the living room.
An open palm is the culturally respectful way to show direction in Laos.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's perfect. It shows you respect your guests and take your role as a host seriously.
Usually, no. For driving, you'd use 'ລ້ຽວຊ້າຍ' (turn left) or 'ໄປຊື່ໆ' (go straight). This phrase is for physically leading someone.
'Sern' is an invitation to an action; 'Kalu na' is a request for a favor. 'Sern' is more common for directions.
A full Nop isn't required, but a slight head nod makes it much more authentic.
Yes, if you are pointing to a path further away from you, but 'thang nee' is more common as you are usually leading them.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. Both men and women use it.
Just say 'ທາງນີ້' (Thang nee) or 'ມາພີ້' (Ma phee).
Just say 'ທາງນີ້' with a smile and a gesture. The gesture carries 50% of the meaning!
Yes, it's almost identical in Thai ('Choen thang nee'), so it's a 'buy one get one free' phrase for travelers.
Yes, it's the standard phrase for inviting someone to enter.
Expressions liées
ເຊີນນັ່ງ
similarPlease sit down
ເຊີນດື່ມນ້ຳ
similarPlease have a drink
ຕາມຂ້ອຍມາ
builds onFollow me
ທາງນັ້ນ
contrastThat way
