Language/Lao/Grammar/Present-Tense

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Lao → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Present Tense

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the present tense in the Lao language. Understanding how to form and use the present tense is essential for expressing actions and states of being in the present moment. We will cover both regular and irregular verbs, providing you with the necessary skills to communicate effectively in Lao.

To fully grasp the present tense, it is important to have a solid foundation in Lao grammar, including knowledge of basic sentence structure, verb conjugation, and vocabulary. If you are new to the Lao language, we recommend starting with the earlier lessons in the "Complete 0 to A1 Lao Course" to ensure a smooth learning experience.

Throughout this lesson, we will provide numerous examples and exercises to reinforce your understanding of the present tense. We will also explore cultural aspects related to the usage of the present tense in Lao, giving you a deeper insight into the language and its connection to Lao culture. So let's dive in and begin our journey into the present tense in Lao!

Forming the Present Tense

The present tense in Lao is relatively straightforward to form. For regular verbs, you simply need to remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate present tense marker. The present tense markers vary based on the verb class, which we will discuss in detail later. Irregular verbs, on the other hand, have distinct patterns that you will need to memorize.

Let's start by looking at regular verbs in the present tense. Regular verbs in Lao fall into three main classes: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. Each class has its own set of present tense markers. Let's examine the formation of the present tense for each class:

Class 1 Verbs

Class 1 verbs in Lao are the most common type of verbs. They are characterized by their infinitive forms ending in -ດ (-d). To form the present tense, we remove the -ດ (-d) ending and add the appropriate present tense marker based on the subject pronoun.

Here is a table that illustrates the formation of the present tense for Class 1 verbs:

Lao	Pronunciation	English
ນອກຈາກລະວັງ	nok jàk lǎo-wǎng	I come from Laos
ມັນຈະມາຫາຍ	mǎn jà mǎ hǎi	He will go to the sea
ພວກເຮົາ	phǔa hǎo	We are a team
ພວກເຮົາຈະທຳມາເຮັດໃນໂທ	phǔa hǎo jà tham mǎ hèt nai tô	We will meet in the park

Class 2 Verbs

Class 2 verbs in Lao are characterized by their infinitive forms ending in -ບ (-b). To form the present tense, we remove the -ບ (-b) ending and add the appropriate present tense marker based on the subject pronoun.

Here is a table that illustrates the formation of the present tense for Class 2 verbs:

Lao	Pronunciation	English
ມາລາງຈາກຕາກ	mǎ lǎng jàk tāk	I read a book
ມາລາງກັບຫຼາຍ	mǎ lǎng gǔa lǎi	He read it already
ມາລາງຈະຂຽນມາເຮົາ	mǎ lǎng jà gǔǎn mǎ hǎo	We will read it
ມາລາງຕົກເບິ່ງ	mǎ lǎng tôk bèng	I read a newspaper

Class 3 Verbs

Class 3 verbs in Lao are characterized by their infinitive forms ending in -ມ (-m). To form the present tense, we remove the -ມ (-m) ending and add the appropriate present tense marker based on the subject pronoun.

Here is a table that illustrates the formation of the present tense for Class 3 verbs:

Lao	Pronunciation	English
ລາງແລ້ວ	lǎng lǔǎ	I walk
ລາງແລ້ວທີ່ລາຍລະອຽດ	lǎng lǔǎ thī lǎi lāo lèot	He walks slowly
ລາງເຮົາຈະຍົກຍ້ອມສຽງ	lǎng hǎo jà yǔk-yǔm sǐang	We will walk together
ລາງຕົກເບີ່ງຮ້ອນ	lǎng tôk bèng hǔǎn	I walk to the market

Cultural Insights

The present tense in Lao is used to describe actions or states of being that are happening in the present moment. It is important to note that Lao culture places a strong emphasis on being present and actively engaged in the current moment. This mindset is reflected in the language, where the present tense is frequently used to convey immediacy and relevance.

In addition to its grammatical usage, the present tense in Lao also reflects cultural values and social norms. Lao people often use the present tense to express politeness and humility, especially when talking to elders or authority figures. By using the present tense, speakers show deference and respect, highlighting the importance of the current moment and the person they are speaking to.

Furthermore, the present tense is commonly used in Lao storytelling and traditional folk songs. Lao people have a rich oral tradition, and many stories and songs are passed down through generations. The present tense brings these narratives to life, creating a sense of immediacy and transporting listeners to the present moment of the story or song.

Exercises

Now that we have explored the formation and usage of the present tense in Lao, let's put our knowledge into practice with some exercises. Complete the following sentences using the appropriate form of the verb in the present tense:

1. ຂ້າງເກີນຈະມາ_____. (I eat) 2. ເຮົາບໍ່____ໃນຫຼາຍສຽງ. (We don't live in the city) 3. ລາງໃດ_____ຫນີ້? (What are you doing now?) 4. ພວກຂ້າ____ໄດ້ຂຽນນາງພົບຫນີ້. (My sister can swim now)

Solutions: 1. ຂ້າງເກີນຈະມາອອກ. (I eat rice) 2. ເຮົາບໍ່ມີຫຼາຍສຽງ. (We don't have a car) 3. ລາງໃດນີ້ເຮົາຈະນຳການຮ້ອນ. (What are you doing now?) 4. ພວກຂ້າສາມາດຂຽນນາງພົບນີ້ໄດ້. (My sister can swim now)

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned how to form and use the present tense in Lao. By understanding the different verb classes and their respective present tense markers, you can confidently express actions and states of being in the present moment. Remember to practice using the present tense in your daily conversations to reinforce your learning.

In this lesson, we delved into the details of the present tense, providing clear explanations, examples, and exercises. We also explored the cultural significance of the present tense in Lao, giving you a deeper understanding of the language and its connection to Lao culture.

As you continue your journey in learning Lao, remember to build upon the knowledge gained in this lesson and explore other aspects of Lao grammar and vocabulary. The "Complete 0 to A1 Lao Course" offers a comprehensive curriculum to guide you from a beginner to an A1 level in Lao proficiency.

Keep up the great work and happy learning!

Table of Contents - Lao Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Pronouns and Verb to be

• Personal Pronouns
• Verb to be

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Plurals

• Nouns
• Plurals

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Common Foods
• Ordering at a Restaurant

  ---

Lao Customs and Etiquette

• Greetings and Social Etiquette
• Festivals and Celebrations

  ---

Questions and Negations

• Question Words
• Negations

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Shopping and Money

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Money and Currency

  ---

Lao Food and Dining

• Traditional Lao Dishes
• Eating Customs and Etiquette

  ---

Tenses and Verb Conjugation

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Weather and Seasons

• Weather Vocabulary
• Seasons

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Comparatives and Superlatives

• Comparatives
• Superlatives

  ---

Hobbies and Interests

• Common Hobbies
• Sports and Activities

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Lao Music and Arts

• Traditional Music
• Arts and Crafts

Sources

• Lao grammar - Wikipedia
• The Most Common Problems Students in Laos Face When Learning ...
• A Grammar of Lao

Other Lessons

• Plurals
• Conditional Mood
• How to Use Have
• Negation
• Adverbs
• Give your Opinion
• 0 to A1 Course
• How to Use Be
• Adjectives
• Verb to be

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