뜻
Circumstances determine who has the advantage.
문화적 배경
Most Lao people traditionally live near the Mekong. The flood cycle isn't just a metaphor; it's a life-altering event that dictates when they plant rice and when they fish. The proverb aligns with 'Anicca' (impermanence). It teaches that attachment to power is foolish because power is as transient as the floodwaters. Laos is a 'face-saving' culture. This proverb allows people to criticize someone's arrogance indirectly and poetically without causing a direct confrontation. This proverb is frequently used in 'Mor Lam' (traditional Lao folk music) lyrics to describe unrequited love or social climbing.
The Half-Phrase Trick
You can sound very native by just saying 'Nam ma pa kin mot...' and trailing off. Everyone knows the rest.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Nam' with the wrong tone, it might sound like 'leading' or 'dark.' Practice the high-falling tone.
뜻
Circumstances determine who has the advantage.
The Half-Phrase Trick
You can sound very native by just saying 'Nam ma pa kin mot...' and trailing off. Everyone knows the rest.
Tone Matters
If you say 'Nam' with the wrong tone, it might sound like 'leading' or 'dark.' Practice the high-falling tone.
Humility is Key
Use this phrase to show you are humble. It's a highly respected trait in Lao culture.
Visualizing the Mekong
When you say it, picture the brown water of the Mekong. It helps with the emotional weight of the proverb.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the missing animal in the proverb.
ນ້ຳມາປາກິນມົດ ນ້ຳລົດ...ກິນປາ
The proverb contrasts fish (ປາ) and ants (ມົດ).
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Nam ma pa kin mot'?
A rich businessman loses all his money and his former assistant becomes his boss.
This is a classic 'reversal of fortune' where the 'ant' (assistant) now has the advantage over the 'fish' (boss).
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: ຂ້ອຍເສຍໃຈຫຼາຍທີ່ເສຍເກມນີ້. B: ບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງເດີ, ...
Using the proverb here encourages the person that they will have another chance to win.
What is the literal meaning of 'ນ້ຳລົດ' (nām lot)?
Choose the correct translation.
'ລົດ' (lot) means to decrease or recede in this context.
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시각 학습 자료
Fish vs. Ants
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제ນ້ຳມາປາກິນມົດ ນ້ຳລົດ...ກິນປາ
The proverb contrasts fish (ປາ) and ants (ມົດ).
A rich businessman loses all his money and his former assistant becomes his boss.
This is a classic 'reversal of fortune' where the 'ant' (assistant) now has the advantage over the 'fish' (boss).
A: ຂ້ອຍເສຍໃຈຫຼາຍທີ່ເສຍເກມນີ້. B: ບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງເດີ, ...
Using the proverb here encourages the person that they will have another chance to win.
Choose the correct translation.
'ລົດ' (lot) means to decrease or recede in this context.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it is also very common in Thailand (in Thai: น้ำมาปลากินมด น้ำลดมดกินปลา) because of the shared cultural and ecological history of the Mekong.
Yes, but it might sound a bit dramatic. It's usually reserved for more significant life or social changes.
In this context, 'lot' (ລົດ) means to decrease, recede, or drop in level. It's the same word used for 'reducing' a price in a shop.
Not inherently, but it can be seen as a 'threat' if said directly to someone in power. It's safer to use it as a general observation.
Because they represent the two extremes of the Lao environment: the dry land and the floodwaters.
Technically yes, but the standard order is 'Fish eat ants' first, following the natural arrival of the rainy season.
The vocabulary (water, fish, ant, eat, come) is A1, but the metaphorical meaning is more advanced. It's a great 'bridge' phrase.
ນ້ຳມາປາກິນມົດ ນ້ຳລົດມົດກິນປາ.
It isn't a religious text, but it perfectly illustrates the Buddhist concept of impermanence.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'Pa yai kin pa noi' (Big fish eat small fish) describes a permanent state of inequality rather than a cycle.
관련 표현
ຂຶ້ນກໍ່ຢ່າຟ້າວດີໃຈ ລົງກໍ່ຢ່າຟ້າວເສຍໃຈ
similarWhen rising don't be too happy, when falling don't be too sad.
ໝຸນວຽນປ່ຽນໄປ
synonymTo rotate and change.
ມື້ໃຜມື້ມັນ
similarTo each their own day.
ຊົ່ວເຈັດທີ ດີເຈັດຫົນ
similarBad seven times, good seven times.
