뜻
Literally 'selling face'; to lose face or reputation.
문화적 배경
In Laos, 'saving face' is often more important than being right. If you argue with an elder in public, you are the one who 'khai na' for being disrespectful. In Lao business, criticizing a colleague in a meeting is a major 'khai na' offense. Feedback is usually given privately. Children are taught from a young age that their behavior reflects on their parents. 'Khai na' is a powerful tool for discipline. The rise of TikTok in Laos has changed 'khai na.' Now, people often 'khai na' themselves on purpose for views, which is a shift from traditional values.
Smile it off
If you 'khai na' in Laos, the best way to recover is to smile and laugh at yourself. It shows you are 'chai yen' (cool-headed).
Don't point it out
If someone else is 'khai na', don't point it out loudly. That will only make you look bad too.
뜻
Literally 'selling face'; to lose face or reputation.
Smile it off
If you 'khai na' in Laos, the best way to recover is to smile and laugh at yourself. It shows you are 'chai yen' (cool-headed).
Don't point it out
If someone else is 'khai na', don't point it out loudly. That will only make you look bad too.
Use with 'Het Hai'
Master the 'Het hai khoy khai na' pattern early. It's the most natural way to use the phrase in stories.
The 'Face' hierarchy
Remember that making a boss or elder 'khai na' is much worse than making a friend 'khai na'.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct Lao phrase for 'embarrassed'.
ຂ້ອຍຮູ້ສຶກ _______ ຫຼາຍທີ່ລືມກະເປົາເງິນ.
The sentence means 'I feel very embarrassed that I forgot my wallet.'
Which sentence correctly says 'Don't make me lose face'?
Choose the best option:
You must use 'het hai' (make/cause) to indicate someone else is causing the embarrassment.
Match the situation to the feeling.
You trip and fall in front of your crush at a cafe.
Tripping in front of someone you like is a classic 'khai na' moment.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຄືໜ້າແດງ? B: _________.
A red face (blushing) is a sign of being 'khai na'.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제ຂ້ອຍຮູ້ສຶກ _______ ຫຼາຍທີ່ລືມກະເປົາເງິນ.
The sentence means 'I feel very embarrassed that I forgot my wallet.'
Choose the best option:
You must use 'het hai' (make/cause) to indicate someone else is causing the embarrassment.
You trip and fall in front of your crush at a cafe.
Tripping in front of someone you like is a classic 'khai na' moment.
A: ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຄືໜ້າແດງ? B: _________.
A red face (blushing) is a sign of being 'khai na'.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it's not a swear word. It's a standard idiom used by everyone from children to grandmothers.
Yes! It's very common to say 'Khoy khai na' when you make a mistake.
'Ai' is the feeling of shyness. 'Khai na' is the social situation of being embarrassed.
You can say 'Khoy khai na thaen' (I'm embarrassed on your behalf).
Yes, but be careful. It's a strong term. In formal business, 'sia na' or 'sia kiat' might be used.
Technically no, because no one saw your 'face'. You'd just be 'tok chai' (startled).
Yes, it can mean both 'embarrassment' and 'shame' depending on the severity of the situation.
The phrase is 'huak sa na' (ຮັກສາໜ້າ).
Yes, 'na taek' (broken face) is the popular slang version for younger people.
Yes, if you forgot your homework, you can say 'Khoy khai na lai'.
관련 표현
ເສຍໜ້າ
synonymTo lose face
ໜ້າແຕກ
similarBroken face / Epic fail
ອາຍ
builds onShy / Ashamed
ຮັກສາໜ້າ
contrastTo save face
ເສຍກຽດ
specialized formTo lose honor
