Signification
Engaging in professional tasks.
Contexte culturel
Work hours in Laos typically include a long lunch break (12:00-13:30), reflecting a culture that values rest and family time. In countries like the USA or France, Lao communities often use 'het wiak' to refer to overtime or multiple jobs, reflecting the immigrant work ethic. When starting to 'het wiak' with someone new, a 'Nop' (traditional greeting) is often more important than a handshake. With the rise of cafes in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, 'ເຮັດວຽກຢູ່ຮ້ານກາເຟ' (working at a cafe) has become a common phrase among young people.
The 'Do' Rule
Always remember that in Lao, you don't just 'work', you 'do work'.
Tone Matters
If you say 'wiak' with the wrong tone, it might sound like 'viak' (to turn), though context usually saves you.
Signification
Engaging in professional tasks.
The 'Do' Rule
Always remember that in Lao, you don't just 'work', you 'do work'.
Tone Matters
If you say 'wiak' with the wrong tone, it might sound like 'viak' (to turn), though context usually saves you.
Adding 'Kam-lang'
Add 'kam-lang' before 'het wiak' to sound more natural when saying you are currently busy.
Asking about work
It's not rude to ask someone's job in Laos; it's a standard way to show interest.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I work at a school.'
ຂ້ອຍ____ວຽກຢູ່ໂຮງຮຽນ.
The verb 'ເຮັດ' (het) must accompany 'ວຽກ' (wiak) to mean 'to work'.
How do you ask 'Where do you work?'
Which sentence is correct?
The correct structure is Subject + Verb + Location Question.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ມື້ນີ້ເຈົ້າຫວ່າງບໍ່? B: ບໍ່ຫວ່າງ, ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງ_______.
If someone is 'not free' (bo wang), 'working' is the most logical reason among the choices.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'ຄອມພິວເຕີບໍ່ເຮັດວຽກ.'
'Het wiak' can describe the functioning of machines.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Work vs. Play
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesຂ້ອຍ____ວຽກຢູ່ໂຮງຮຽນ.
The verb 'ເຮັດ' (het) must accompany 'ວຽກ' (wiak) to mean 'to work'.
Which sentence is correct?
The correct structure is Subject + Verb + Location Question.
A: ມື້ນີ້ເຈົ້າຫວ່າງບໍ່? B: ບໍ່ຫວ່າງ, ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງ_______.
If someone is 'not free' (bo wang), 'working' is the most logical reason among the choices.
Sentence: 'ຄອມພິວເຕີບໍ່ເຮັດວຽກ.'
'Het wiak' can describe the functioning of machines.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNo, 'wiak' is a noun. You need 'het' to make it an action.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.
Use 'loek wiak' (ເລີກວຽກ).
'Het kan' is more informal and common in the south or near Thailand.
Yes, but 'wiak ban' is more specific for chores.
Say 'het dai di' (ເຮັດໄດ້ດີ) - you did well.
No, use 'dai' or 'tok long' for that.
Say 'khoy kam-lang shok wiak'.
Use 'than' (ທ່ານ) for very formal or 'chao' (ເຈົ້າ) for neutral.
Yes, 'computer bo het wiak' means the computer is broken/not running.
'Phak phon' (to rest) or 'lin' (to play).
Most Lao people just say 'O-T'.
Expressions liées
ວຽກບ້ານ
builds onHomework
ຊອກວຽກ
similarTo look for a job
ພັກຜ່ອນ
contrastTo rest
ເພື່ອນຮ່ວມງານ
specialized formColleague
ເຮັດການ
synonymTo work (casual)
