Meaning
Someone who is never satisfied with leaders.
Cultural Background
In Lao offices, loyalty to a 'Nai' (boss) is highly valued. Leaving too soon is often seen as a character flaw rather than a career move. The story of the frog choosing a master is taught in primary schools across Laos to instill values of contentment and respect for authority. During periods of political transition, this proverb is often used by traditionalists to argue for stability over radical change. On Lao TikTok and Facebook, 'Kop Leuak Nai' is a popular tag for memes about people who are never happy with their romantic partners.
Use it carefully
Only use this with people you know well, as it can be quite insulting to call someone a 'frog'.
The Stork Reference
If you want to sound very native, just mention the 'stork' (nok-yang) when someone complains about their boss.
Meaning
Someone who is never satisfied with leaders.
Use it carefully
Only use this with people you know well, as it can be quite insulting to call someone a 'frog'.
The Stork Reference
If you want to sound very native, just mention the 'stork' (nok-yang) when someone complains about their boss.
Not for food
Don't use this if you are at a restaurant and can't decide what to eat!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the proverb.
ກົບເລືອກ____
The proverb is 'ກົບເລືອກນາຍ' (The frog chooses a master).
Match the situation to the proverb.
Somsak has changed his boss 4 times this year and now his new boss is very mean.
Somsak's behavior of constantly changing bosses and ending up with a worse one perfectly fits 'Kop Leuak Nai'.
Fill in the blank with the correct Lao words.
ຢ່າເຮັດໂຕຄື____ ລະວັງຈະໄດ້ນົກຍາງ.
The full warning often mentions the stork (nok-yang).
Complete the dialogue.
A: ຂ້ອຍຢາກປ່ຽນວຽກອີກແລ້ວ. B: ລະວັງເດີ້, ຢ່າເປັນ____.
B is warning A not to be a 'picky frog' regarding their job.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesກົບເລືອກ____
The proverb is 'ກົບເລືອກນາຍ' (The frog chooses a master).
Somsak has changed his boss 4 times this year and now his new boss is very mean.
Somsak's behavior of constantly changing bosses and ending up with a worse one perfectly fits 'Kop Leuak Nai'.
ຢ່າເຮັດໂຕຄື____ ລະວັງຈະໄດ້ນົກຍາງ.
The full warning often mentions the stork (nok-yang).
A: ຂ້ອຍຢາກປ່ຽນວຽກອີກແລ້ວ. B: ລະວັງເດີ້, ຢ່າເປັນ____.
B is warning A not to be a 'picky frog' regarding their job.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt is a criticism. It's not a swear word, but it implies the person is being foolish or ungrateful.
Yes, it's very common to use it for someone who keeps breaking up with people looking for 'the one' but ending up with worse partners.
There isn't a single phrase, but 'hu-chak-phor' (knowing how to be satisfied) is the conceptual opposite.
Primarily yes, but 'Nai' can mean any leader, including political leaders or even a dominant partner in a relationship.
Related Phrases
ໄດ້ຢ່າງເສຍຢ່າງ
similarTo get one thing and lose another.
ຈັບປາສອງມື
similarCatching fish with two hands (being greedy).
ນົກສອງຫົວ
contrastA two-headed bird (a traitor).
ຮູ້ຈັກພໍ
contrastKnowing when enough is enough.
