Signification
Ending the workday.
Contexte culturel
The 'Beer Lao' culture is deeply tied to 'lerk viak'. It is common for offices to head to a 'suan arharn' (garden restaurant) immediately after work. Junior staff often wait for the senior manager to 'lerk viak' first as a sign of respect, though this is changing in modern startups. In rural areas, 'lerk viak' coincides with the 'khao lang' (evening rice) preparation, a vital family bonding time. Traffic in Vientiane peaks at 5:00 PM. People often use 'lerk viak' as an excuse for being late to evening appointments.
The 'Already' Particle
Always add 'ແລ້ວ' (laew) if you want to sound natural when saying you're done for the day.
Don't use for school!
Remember, teachers 'lerk viak', but students 'lerk hian'.
Signification
Ending the workday.
The 'Already' Particle
Always add 'ແລ້ວ' (laew) if you want to sound natural when saying you're done for the day.
Don't use for school!
Remember, teachers 'lerk viak', but students 'lerk hian'.
Asking for Closing Times
You can use 'lerk viak' for shops and markets too, not just people.
Social Invitations
If someone asks when you 'lerk viak', they are often about to invite you for food or drinks.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'I finish work at 5:00'.
ຂ້ອຍ _______ ຫ້າໂມງ.
ເລີກວຽກ is the correct phrase for finishing work.
Which sentence is correct for a student finishing class?
A student just finished their last lesson. They say:
Students use 'lerk hian' (finish school), not 'lerk viak' (finish work).
Complete the dialogue.
A: ມື້ນີ້ເຈົ້າເລີກວຽກຈັກໂມງ? B: ___________.
The answer should match the question about finishing work time.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are stuck in traffic at 5:30 PM. Why?
Rush hour is called 'suang lerk viak' (the time work finishes).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Lerk Viak vs. La Ok
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍ _______ ຫ້າໂມງ.
ເລີກວຽກ is the correct phrase for finishing work.
A student just finished their last lesson. They say:
Students use 'lerk hian' (finish school), not 'lerk viak' (finish work).
A: ມື້ນີ້ເຈົ້າເລີກວຽກຈັກໂມງ? B: ___________.
The answer should match the question about finishing work time.
You are stuck in traffic at 5:30 PM. Why?
Rush hour is called 'suang lerk viak' (the time work finishes).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it applies to any form of employment, whether full-time, part-time, or freelance.
It's better to use 'ທ່ານຈະເລີກການຈັກໂມງ?' to be more respectful to a superior.
'Lerk viak' is about the time/shift ending. 'Laew viak' is about the task being completed.
Usually, yes, but it primarily means you've stopped working. You could still be in the building chatting.
You can say 'ມື້ນີ້ຂ້ອຍເລີກວຽກເດິກ' (Today I finish work late).
Young people often just say 'ເລີກລະ' (Lerk la) in texts.
No, for the weekend use 'ຢຸດພັກຜ່ອນ' or 'ວັນຢຸດ'.
You still use 'lerk viak' to signal the end of your professional day.
In formal reports, 'ການສິ້ນສຸດເວລາເຮັດວຽກ' is used, but 'ເລີກວຽກ' is fine for emails.
Generally, yes! It has a positive, relieved connotation in Lao culture.
Expressions liées
ເລີກຮຽນ
similarTo finish school
ເລີກການ
specialized formTo finish official/government work
ລາອອກ
contrastTo resign/quit permanently
ເຂົ້າວຽກ
contrastTo start work/clock in
ເຮັດວຽກລ່ວງເວລາ
builds onTo work overtime (OT)
