Significado
Confirming that something is correct.
Contexto cultural
Nodding while saying 'Maen laew' is common, but the nod should be slight and respectful, not overly vigorous. In this northern region, you will hear 'Chao' (ເຈົ້າ) used as a polite prefix much more often than 'Doi'. In meetings, 'Maen laew' is used to show alignment. Disagreeing directly is rare; people often say 'Maen laew' followed by a 'but' (ແຕ່ - tae). On platforms like TikTok or Facebook, Lao youth often use 'ແມ່ນລະ' (Maen la) as a shorter, punchier version of agreement.
The Mirror Rule
If the question has 'Maen', your answer should have 'Maen'. It's the easiest way to remember!
Avoid the 'Yes' Trap
Don't use this for 'Can you...?' or 'Will you...?' questions. Repeat the verb instead.
Significado
Confirming that something is correct.
The Mirror Rule
If the question has 'Maen', your answer should have 'Maen'. It's the easiest way to remember!
Avoid the 'Yes' Trap
Don't use this for 'Can you...?' or 'Will you...?' questions. Repeat the verb instead.
Politeness First
Always add 'Doi' or 'Chao' when talking to someone older. It makes a huge difference in how you are perceived.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank to confirm that this is a Lao book.
A: ນີ້ແມ່ນປຶ້ມພາສາລາວບໍ່? B: ________, ນີ້ແມ່ນປຶ້ມພາສາລາວ.
Since the question asks 'Is it...?' (Maen... bo?), the correct affirmative answer is 'Maen laew'.
Which is the most polite way to say 'Yes, that's right' to an elder?
Choose the correct polite form:
'Doi' is the polite particle used with elders and superiors.
Complete the dialogue at the market.
Vendor: ໝາກກ້ວຍນີ້ ສິບພັນກີບ ແມ່ນບໍ່? You: ________.
The vendor is confirming the price; 'Maen laew' confirms they are correct.
Match the response to the question.
Question: ເຈົ້າຊື່ ສົມພອນ ແມ່ນບໍ່? (Your name is Somphone, right?)
The question is about identity (name), so 'Maen laew' is the appropriate confirmation.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosA: ນີ້ແມ່ນປຶ້ມພາສາລາວບໍ່? B: ________, ນີ້ແມ່ນປຶ້ມພາສາລາວ.
Since the question asks 'Is it...?' (Maen... bo?), the correct affirmative answer is 'Maen laew'.
Choose the correct polite form:
'Doi' is the polite particle used with elders and superiors.
Vendor: ໝາກກ້ວຍນີ້ ສິບພັນກີບ ແມ່ນບໍ່? You: ________.
The vendor is confirming the price; 'Maen laew' confirms they are correct.
Question: ເຈົ້າຊື່ ສົມພອນ ແມ່ນບໍ່? (Your name is Somphone, right?)
The question is about identity (name), so 'Maen laew' is the appropriate confirmation.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, in informal settings, 'Maen' is a perfectly fine short version of 'Yes'.
Yes, they are direct cognates and used in almost identical ways.
You say 'Bo maen' (ບໍ່ແມ່ນ).
'Doi' is a polite particle. It's like saying 'Yes, sir/ma'am, that is correct.'
Yes, it works for both facts and opinions.
People will still understand you, but it will sound 'foreign' or slightly robotic.
Yes, it is very common in dialogue in books and formal reports.
Absolutely. Lao is tonal. If you say 'Maen' with a high tone, it might not be understood.
Youth often say 'Maen la' (ແມ່ນລະ) or 'Maen loey' (ແມ່ນເລີຍ).
Yes, but always prefix it with 'Doi' and a slight bow (Nopp).
Frases relacionadas
ແມ່ນບໍ່
specialized formRight? / Is it?
ຖືກແລ້ວ
similarCorrect / True
ໂດຍ
builds onPolite yes
ແມ່ນຄວາມເຈົ້າ
similarYou are right
ບໍ່ແມ່ນ
contrastNo / It is not
