Meaning
A filler phrase to confirm agreement informally.
Cultural Background
Lao people avoid direct confrontation. Using 'no' at the end of 'Okay' makes a request feel like a joint decision, which preserves 'face' for both parties. On Facebook and WhatsApp, 'O-khe no' is often shortened to 'OK no' or even just 'OK' with a 'no' emoji if one existed. It's the standard way to acknowledge messages. Many Lao speakers are bilingual in Thai. While Thai uses 'na', Lao speakers take pride in using 'no' as a distinct marker of their own identity. Older generations might find 'O-khe' too Westernized, but the addition of 'no' makes it acceptable even in their eyes as it follows Lao rhythmic patterns.
The 'No' Lilt
Slightly lengthen the 'no' to sound more persuasive or friendly.
Elder Alert
Never use this with someone who looks significantly older than you unless they use it first.
Meaning
A filler phrase to confirm agreement informally.
The 'No' Lilt
Slightly lengthen the 'no' to sound more persuasive or friendly.
Elder Alert
Never use this with someone who looks significantly older than you unless they use it first.
Texting Style
In texts, you can just write 'ok no' and everyone will understand you perfectly.
Softening Commands
If you have to tell someone to do something, add 'O-khe no?' to make it sound like a request.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to ask your friend if they are okay with meeting at 5 PM.
ເຈີກັນຫ້າໂມງ ____?
Adding 'no' at the end turns the statement into a friendly tag question.
Which response is the most natural way to agree to a plan in a group chat?
Plan: 'Let's go to the market.'
'O-khe no!' is the standard informal way to say 'Agreed!' or 'Alright then!'.
Match the phrase to the correct social context.
Context: You are finishing a phone call with your cousin.
This is the perfect casual closer for family and friends.
Complete the dialogue between a buyer and a seller.
Seller: 'I'll give you this for 20,000 Kip.' Buyer: '20,000 Kip, _______.'
The buyer uses 'O-khe no' to confirm they accept the price.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
O-khe vs. O-khe no
Practice Bank
4 exercisesເຈີກັນຫ້າໂມງ ____?
Adding 'no' at the end turns the statement into a friendly tag question.
Plan: 'Let's go to the market.'
'O-khe no!' is the standard informal way to say 'Agreed!' or 'Alright then!'.
Context: You are finishing a phone call with your cousin.
This is the perfect casual closer for family and friends.
Seller: 'I'll give you this for 20,000 Kip.' Buyer: '20,000 Kip, _______.'
The buyer uses 'O-khe no' to confirm they accept the price.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsIt is friendly and casual, but not 'polite' in a formal sense. Use it with peers, not superiors.
Yes, if the meeting is informal or with colleagues you know well. It's great for wrapping up points.
'No' asks for agreement; 'der' just informs the other person of your decision in a friendly way.
Yes, it is one of the most common loanwords in the Lao language today.
You can say 'O-khe', 'Douy', or 'Eur' (very casual).
Yes, though the accent on 'no' might change slightly, the phrase is universal across Laos.
You can, but it sounds a bit blunt. Adding 'no' makes you sound much more natural and 'Lao'.
Functionally, yes. It acts as a tag question like '..., right?' in English.
People will still understand you, but it might sound a bit robotic or overly serious.
The formal equivalent would be 'Tok long bor?' or 'Hen dee num bor?'.
Absolutely. It's a very common way to get kids to agree to things.
No. For 'Are you okay?', use 'Chao sabai dee bor?' or 'Pen yang bor?'.
Yes, it's very common between couples when making plans.
It is written as ໂອເຄເນາະ.
Related Phrases
ໂອເຄເດີ້
similarOkay (informative)
ແມ່ນແລ້ວ
synonymThat's right
ຕົກລົງ
synonymAgreed / Deal
ບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງ
builds onNo problem
ແມ່ນບໍ່?
contrastIs that so?
