Meaning
Literally 'black heart'; being mean or unkind.
Cultural Background
In Laos, 'Nam Jai' (generosity) is the most important social currency. 'Jai Dam' is the ultimate social failure. The Isan people speak a dialect very similar to Lao and use 'Jai Dam' in the exact same way, often in 'Mor Lam' folk songs. The concept of a 'black heart' aligns with the idea of a mind clouded by greed (Lobha) and hate (Dosa). Lao communities abroad still use this term to maintain social standards of helping one another in a foreign land.
Use it playfully
You can use it with friends when they don't share food to sound more like a native speaker.
Avoid with elders
It is too strong for people you need to respect.
Meaning
Literally 'black heart'; being mean or unkind.
Use it playfully
You can use it with friends when they don't share food to sound more like a native speaker.
Avoid with elders
It is too strong for people you need to respect.
Pair with 'Lai'
Adding 'Lai' (very) at the end makes your complaint sound more natural: 'Jai dam lai!'
The Opposite
Always remember 'Jai Dee' is the goal. If you call someone 'Jai Dam,' you are saying they are the opposite of a good person.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct idiom.
ລາວບໍ່ແບ່ງເຂົ້າໜົມໃຫ້ໝູ່, ລາວເປັນຄົນ ______.
Since he is not sharing snacks, he is being 'mean/selfish' (Jai Dam).
Which situation best describes 'Jai Dam'?
Which of these is 'Jai Dam'?
Jai Dam refers to a lack of kindness or generosity.
Match the Lao phrase to its English meaning.
Match the opposites:
These are common 'Jai' opposites.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ຂ້ອຍຂໍຢືມບິກແດ່? B: ບໍ່ໃຫ້! A: ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຄື ______ ແທ້?
The person is refusing to lend a pen, so they are being called mean.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Jai Dam vs Jai Rai
Practice Bank
4 exercisesລາວບໍ່ແບ່ງເຂົ້າໜົມໃຫ້ໝູ່, ລາວເປັນຄົນ ______.
Since he is not sharing snacks, he is being 'mean/selfish' (Jai Dam).
Which of these is 'Jai Dam'?
Jai Dam refers to a lack of kindness or generosity.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common 'Jai' opposites.
A: ຂ້ອຍຂໍຢືມບິກແດ່? B: ບໍ່ໃຫ້! A: ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຄື ______ ແທ້?
The person is refusing to lend a pen, so they are being called mean.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNo, it is not a swear word, but it is a strong insult to someone's character.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. You can use it for anyone.
The most common opposite is 'Jai Dee' (Good heart).
Usually, it describes a person, but you can say 'Karn ka thum tee jai dam' (A heartless act).
It includes being stingy, but it's broader—it's about a general lack of kindness.
You say 'Ya jai dam' (ຢ່າໃຈດຳ).
Yes, if a cat scratches you for no reason, you might jokingly call it 'Jai Dam'.
It can, but usually it's for smaller social things like not sharing.
Yes, it is identical in Thai (ใจดำ).
No, that would mean you are calling yourself a mean person!
It's a slang version meaning 'mean as a duck's liver,' used for extra emphasis.
No, it's mostly informal and neutral.
Related Phrases
ໃຈດີ
contrastGood-hearted/Kind
ນ້ຳໃຈ
contrastGenerosity
ໃຈຮ້າຍ
similarAngry/Mean
ໃຈແຄບ
similarNarrow-minded/Stingy
ໃຈດຳອຳມະຫິດ
specialized formCruel and heartless
ໃຈກວ້າງ
contrastBroad-minded/Generous
