A1 · Beginner Chapter 7

The Art of Counting

4 Total Rules
1 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the rhythm of Lao quantities by mastering the essential system of numbers and classifiers.

  • Count from zero to infinity using cardinal numbers.
  • Apply the 'Noun + Number + Classifier' structure correctly.
  • Distinguish between classifiers for inanimate objects and people.
Count your way through Laos with precision and grace.

What You'll Learn

Introduction to the classifier system and numbers. Essential for quantifying objects in everyday life.

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Count from 1 to 100 fluently in Lao.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Construct phrases to quantify people and objects using the correct word order.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Identify and use ordinal numbers to describe rankings or sequences.

Tips & Tricks (4)

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Practice Out Loud

Numbers are best learned through muscle memory. Say them while walking.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cardinal Numbers
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When in doubt, use 'an'

If you forget the specific classifier, 'an' is the safest general choice.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introduction to Classifiers
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Default to 'an'

If you don't know the classifier, 'an' is usually safe for objects.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Common Classifiers (An, Khon)
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Consistency

Lao ordinals are 100% regular. If you can count to 100, you can make 100 ordinals.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ordinal Numbers

Key Vocabulary (8)

ໜຶ່ງ (neung) one ສອງ (song) two ສາມ (sam) three ອັນ (an) classifier for general objects/things ຄົນ (khon) person / classifier for people ທີ (thi) ordinal prefix (e.g., -th) ຈັກ (chak) how many ຫຼາຍ (lai) many/much

Real-World Preview

shopping-cart

Ordering at a Street Stall

Review Summary

  • Number Name
  • [Noun] + [Number] + [Classifier]
  • An (Objects) / Khon (People)
  • ທີ (thi) + [Number]

Common Mistakes

English speakers often forget the noun comes first. If you want to say 'two people', you must say the noun 'person' (khon) then the number 'two' (song) then the classifier 'person' (khon).

Wrong: ສອງ ຄົນ (Song khon)
Correct: ຄົນ ສອງ ຄົນ (Khon song khon)

Never omit the classifier. Saying 'Three books' without 'An' sounds broken and incomplete to a native Lao speaker.

Wrong: ສາມ ປຶ້ມ (Sam puem)
Correct: ປຶ້ມ ສາມ ອັນ (Puem sam an)

Using the object classifier 'An' for people is grammatically incorrect and can sound slightly disrespectful. Always use 'Khon' for humans.

Wrong: ໝູ່ ສອງ ອັນ (Muu song an)
Correct: ໝູ່ ສອງ ຄົນ (Muu song khon)

Next Steps

You've just mastered one of the most distinct features of Southeast Asian languages. Classifiers are the heartbeat of Lao grammar—keep practicing and they will become second nature!

Go to a local shop and practice asking for 'three items' in your head.

List your family members and their ages using Lao numbers and classifiers.

Continue to: Simple Sentence Structures

Quick Practice (10)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

pum song

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pum song an
Missing classifier.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Common Classifiers (An, Khon)

What is 11 in Lao?

11 is ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sip-et
11 is sip-et.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cardinal Numbers

Fill in the blank for 'Second chapter'.

ບົດ ___ ສອງ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ທີ
The particle 'ທີ' is used for ordinals.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ordinal Numbers

What is 100?

100 is ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: neung-hoi
100 is neung-hoi.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cardinal Numbers

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

ຄົນສາມອັນ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ຄົນສາມຄົນ
Humans use 'khon'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introduction to Classifiers

Fill in the blank for '20th year'.

ປີ ___ ຊາວ

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ທີ
Ordinal particle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ordinal Numbers

What is 35?

35 is ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sam-sip-ha
30+5.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cardinal Numbers

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ລົດສາມຄັນ
Noun-Number-Classifier order.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introduction to Classifiers

Which is 'Third house'?

Choose the correct one:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ເຮືອນທີສາມ
Noun + ທີ + Number.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ordinal Numbers

Which is 20?

20 is ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sao
20 is sao.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cardinal Numbers

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Yes, it helps with reading signs and menus.
It's an irregular form common in Tai languages.
Yes, they are essential for grammatical correctness in Lao.
Use 'an' as a general placeholder.
A word used to categorize nouns when counting.
Use it for people.
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Who is Who: Pronouns
Next Chapter
Simple Sentence Structures
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