Signification
Returning the remaining balance.
Contexte culturel
In traditional markets, change is often handed back with both hands as a sign of respect. It is polite to receive it with both hands as well. In rural areas, if a vendor lacks small notes (500 or 1,000 Kip), they might offer a small piece of candy or a fruit instead. This is a common and accepted practice. While tipping isn't mandatory, leaving the 'ngoen thon' is a common way to show appreciation in cafes and for transport. It is not considered rude to count your change in front of the vendor. In fact, many vendors will count it out loud for you to ensure transparency.
Check your change
Always count your change before leaving the stall. It's expected and prevents awkward returns later.
Large bills
Small vendors often don't have change for 100,000 Kip notes early in the morning. Try to carry smaller notes.
Signification
Returning the remaining balance.
Check your change
Always count your change before leaving the stall. It's expected and prevents awkward returns later.
Large bills
Small vendors often don't have change for 100,000 Kip notes early in the morning. Try to carry smaller notes.
The 'No Change' smile
If a vendor says 'Bo mee thon,' they aren't being rude. They literally don't have the cash. Just buy an extra water or snack!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'change'.
ແມ່ຄ້າ, ກະລຸນາ ___ ເງິນໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍແດ່.
'Thon' is the verb used for giving change.
Complete the dialogue between a customer and a driver.
Customer: ນີ້ເງິນຫ້າໝື່ນກີບ. Driver: ໂດຍ, ___ ສາມໝື່ນກີບເດີ້.
The driver is returning the balance, so 'thon' is the correct verb.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You want to tell the waiter to keep the change.
'Bo tong thon ngoen' means 'No need to give change'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to ask for change?
Choose one:
Adding 'Ka lou na' (Please) and 'hai dae' makes it polite.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to use 'Thon Ngoen'
Places
- • Market
- • Tuk-tuk
- • Cafe
- • Shop
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesແມ່ຄ້າ, ກະລຸນາ ___ ເງິນໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍແດ່.
'Thon' is the verb used for giving change.
Customer: ນີ້ເງິນຫ້າໝື່ນກີບ. Driver: ໂດຍ, ___ ສາມໝື່ນກີບເດີ້.
The driver is returning the balance, so 'thon' is the correct verb.
Situation: You want to tell the waiter to keep the change.
'Bo tong thon ngoen' means 'No need to give change'.
Choose one:
Adding 'Ka lou na' (Please) and 'hai dae' makes it polite.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in Lao, 'thon ngoen' (ຖອນເງິນ) is also used for withdrawing money from a bank or ATM. The context makes the difference.
Not at all. It is a standard part of any transaction. Just add 'dae' at the end to be polite.
Politely say 'Thon bo khop' (Change not complete). Most Lao people will apologize and fix it immediately.
No, in casual settings like a market, just saying 'thon' is perfectly fine.
Lao doesn't use coins anymore, only paper notes. So 'ngoen thon' always refers to paper bills.
Say 'Bo tong thon' (No need to change) or 'Kep vai loey' (Keep it).
Usually no. For digital errors, people use 'khuên ngoen' (return money).
Usually 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, or 10,000 Kip notes.
Yes, it can mean to 'withdraw' or 'take out', like withdrawing a name from a list.
This happens when the vendor lacks very small notes (500 Kip). It's a friendly substitute.
Expressions liées
ເງິນຍ່ອຍ
similarSmall change / small notes
ຄືນເງິນ
similarTo return money (full amount)
ແລກເງິນ
similarTo exchange money
ເສຍເງິນ
contrastTo lose money
ຈ່າຍເງິນ
builds onTo pay money
