A1 · Beginner Chapter 10

Asking for Information

4 Total Rules
1 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power of conversation by mastering the essential art of asking questions in Lao.

  • Construct basic yes/no questions using particles.
  • Identify key interrogative words for people, objects, and locations.
  • Verify information using natural tag questions.
Master the curiosity of Lao communication.

What You'll Learn

Using question particles and interrogative words. Covers basic 'yes/no' and 'wh-' question structures.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Form natural questions to engage with native speakers.

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Listen for the tone

The particle 'bo' is short and low. Listen for the drop in pitch.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Question Particle 'Bo'
💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the word order. Just say the sentence as if you were answering, but replace the answer with the question word.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Who, What, Where
💡

Rising Intonation

Always raise your pitch at the end of the sentence. It makes the question sound natural.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Question Particle 'Nai'
💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the word order. Just add 'bor'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Tag Questions

Key Vocabulary (6)

bo question marker phai who yang what sai where nai clarification marker แม่นบ่ (maen bo) isn't it?

Real-World Preview

users

Meeting a Friend

Review Summary

  • [Statement] + bo
  • [Subject] + [Verb] + [Wh-word]
  • [Noun/Verb] + nai
  • [Statement] + maen bo

Common Mistakes

The particle 'bo' must go at the end of the sentence, not the beginning.

Wrong: บ่ เจ้ากินข้าว?
Correct: เจ้ากินข้าวบ่?

Lao uses specific question words like 'sai' instead of borrowing from Thai/other languages.

Wrong: เจ้าไปที่ไหน?
Correct: เจ้าไปໃສ?

Using 'bo' alone as a tag is less natural than the full phrase 'maen bo'.

Wrong: ເຈົ້າຫິວ, ບໍ່?
Correct: ເຈົ້າຫິວ, ແມ່ນບ່?

Next Steps

You have mastered the art of inquiry! Keep practicing your questions to open up new conversations.

Listen to a Lao podcast and count the number of times you hear 'bo'.

Continue to: Describing the World

Quick Practice (10)

Add the correct particle.

ເຈົ້າໄປ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ບໍ່
Use 'ບໍ່' for yes/no questions.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Tag Questions

Fill in the blank.

An ni khong ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: phai
Whose is this?

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Who, What, Where

Which particle is for yes/no?

Which is the question particle?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nai
Nai is the particle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Question Particle 'Nai'

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

ບໍ່ເຈົ້າໄປ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່
Bo goes at the end.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Question Particle 'Bo'

Select the best fit.

ເຈົ້າເປັນນັກຮຽນ ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ແມ່ນບໍ່
Confirmation tag fits best.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Tag Questions

Fill in the blank.

Chao kin ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: yang
Yang is for objects (food).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Who, What, Where

Add 'bo' to the end.

ເຈົ້າໄປຕະຫຼາດ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ບໍ່
Bo is the question particle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Question Particle 'Bo'

Which is correct?

Which is a question?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຈົ້າໄປບໍ່
Particle goes at the end.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Tag Questions

Which is correct?

A: Nai jao pai? B: Jao pai nai?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
Particle must be at the end.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Question Particle 'Nai'

Find the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Nai jao kin khao?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nai
Nai should be at the end.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Question Particle 'Nai'

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

No, it only changes the sentence type to a question.
No, 'who' (ໃຜ) is already a question word.
No, verbs in Lao do not conjugate for person or number.
Yes, but add 'than' (you) and polite particles.
It is for yes/no questions. For specific info, use question words.
No, keep the statement order.
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Negating Everything
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Describing the World
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