Meaning
Plastic card for payments.
Cultural Background
In Laos, BCEL (Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao) is the most common bank. Their credit cards are widely recognized. Having a card from a 'big bank' carries social prestige. While 'ບັດເຄຣດິດ' is used in malls, the 'OnePay' QR system is actually more common for daily transactions. Many Lao people skip credit cards and go straight from cash to mobile apps. Tipping is not mandatory in Laos, but if you pay by credit card in a high-end restaurant, there might not be a 'tip' line on the receipt. People usually leave small cash tips instead. For Lao citizens, getting a credit card often requires a high salary or a deposit. Therefore, owning one is a sign that the person likely travels to Thailand or Vietnam frequently.
Ask First
Always ask 'ຮັບບັດບໍ່?' (Accept card?) before you start shopping in Laos, as many places are cash-only.
Surcharge
Some small shops in Laos may add a 3% fee for credit card transactions. Always check the total.
Meaning
Plastic card for payments.
Ask First
Always ask 'ຮັບບັດບໍ່?' (Accept card?) before you start shopping in Laos, as many places are cash-only.
Surcharge
Some small shops in Laos may add a 3% fee for credit card transactions. Always check the total.
Use the Classifier
Using 'ໃບ' (bai) makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using 'ອັນ' (an).
Visa is King
If you have a choice, get a Visa card for Laos; it has the highest acceptance rate compared to Amex or Discover.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct classifier for credit cards.
ຂ້ອຍມີບັດເຄຣດິດສອງ ____.
The classifier 'ໃບ' is used for flat objects like cards.
How do you ask if a shop accepts credit cards?
Which sentence is correct?
'ຮັບ' means 'to accept'. The first option is the standard way to ask.
Complete the dialogue at the restaurant.
Waiter: 'ທັງໝົດ 50,000 ກີບ.' Customer: 'ຂ້ອຍຈ່າຍດ້ວຍ ________ ໄດ້ບໍ່?'
The customer is asking to pay with a credit card.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You lost your card and need to tell the bank.
'ເສຍ' means 'lost'. This is the correct phrase for the situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Cards in Lao
Banking
- • ບັດເຄຣດິດ (Credit)
- • ບັດເດບິດ (Debit)
- • ບັດເອທີເອັມ (ATM)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesຂ້ອຍມີບັດເຄຣດິດສອງ ____.
The classifier 'ໃບ' is used for flat objects like cards.
Which sentence is correct?
'ຮັບ' means 'to accept'. The first option is the standard way to ask.
Waiter: 'ທັງໝົດ 50,000 ກີບ.' Customer: 'ຂ້ອຍຈ່າຍດ້ວຍ ________ ໄດ້ບໍ່?'
The customer is asking to pay with a credit card.
Situation: You lost your card and need to tell the bank.
'ເສຍ' means 'lost'. This is the correct phrase for the situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, they are identical in meaning and very similar in pronunciation and spelling.
Not necessarily. Cash and QR codes (OnePay) are much more common for daily life.
You say 'ບັດເຄຣດິດຂອງຂ້ອຍໝົດອາຍຸ' (Bat khre-dit khong khoy mot ayu).
The classifier is 'ໃບ' (bai).
Only in the modern indoor shops; the outdoor stalls are cash-only.
It is 'ວົງເງິນ' (vong-nguen).
Yes, if using major bank apps like BCEL One, which use 3D Secure technology.
The slang is 'ຮູດບັດ' (hoot bat), meaning 'to swipe'.
Rarely. Usually, cards are for purchases over 100,000 Kip ($5-10).
You say 'ຂ້ອຍລືມລະຫັດບັດ' (Khoy luem la-hat bat).
Yes, banks like BCEL, LDB, and JDB issue their own branded credit cards.
It is 'ດອກເບ້ຍ' (dok-bia).
Yes, via the 'BCEL One' app or at the electric company office.
Yes, it is the standard term used in all official and banking contexts.
Related Phrases
ບັດເດບິດ
similarDebit card
ບັດເອທີເອັມ
similarATM card
ວົງເງິນ
builds onCredit limit
ດອກເບ້ຍ
builds onInterest
ໃບແຈ້ງໜີ້
builds onStatement/Bill
ຮູດບັດ
specialized formTo swipe a card
