Language/Lao/Grammar/Negation

Lao Grammar - Negation

Hi Lao learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn about negation in the Lao language. Negation is an important part of any language, and it is essential to understand how to use it correctly. We will look at the different ways to express negation in Lao, as well as some examples of how to use them. Let's get started!

Negation in Lao

Negation in Lao is expressed using a variety of words and phrases. The most common way to express negation is by using the word ບໍ່ (baw). This word can be used to negate verbs, adjectives, and nouns. For example:

Lao	Pronunciation	English Translation
ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ	koi baw khao jai	I don't understand
ນັກສຶກສາບໍ່ດີ	nak seuk saa baw dee	Students are not good
ນິກສູດບໍ່ມີຄວາມສຸກສາ	nik suut baw mee kwaa m sok saa	Smoking does not bring happiness

Another way to express negation is by using the word ແມ່ນ (maen). This word is used to negate statements or questions. For example:

Lao	Pronunciation	English Translation
ມັນແມ່ນບໍ່ຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້	man maen baw yuu thee nee	It is not here
ເຘີນີ້ແມ່ນບໍ່ຖືກຕ້ອງ	thee nee maen baw theuk dtong	This is not correct
ເຈົ້າແມ່ນບໍ່ໄດ້ຮັບອະໄຣ	jao maen baw dai hap arai	You didn't get anything

Finally, the word ບໍ່ແມ່ນ (baw maen) can be used to negate a statement or question. For example:

Lao	Pronunciation	English Translation
ມັນບໍ່ແມ່ນຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້	man baw maen yuu thee nee	It is not here
ເຘີນີ້ບໍ່ແມ່ນຖືກຕ້ອງ	thee nee baw maen theuk dtong	This is not correct
ເຈົ້າບໍ່ແມ່ນໄດ້ຮັບອະໄຣ	jao baw maen dai hap arai	You didn't get anything

It is important to note that the words ບໍ່ (baw) and ແມ່ນ (maen) cannot be used interchangeably. They have different meanings and must be used accordingly.

Examples

Now let's look at some examples of how to use negation in Lao.

Lao	Pronunciation	English Translation
ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ	koi baw khao jai	I don't understand
ພວກເຮົາບໍ່ໄດ້ເດີນທາງ	phuak hoe baw dai deen taang	We are not going
ເຘີນີ້ແມ່ນບໍ່ຖືກຕ້ອງ	thee nee maen baw theuk dtong	This is not correct
ມັນບໍ່ແມ່ນຢູ່ທີ່ນີ້	man baw maen yuu thee nee	It is not here
ນັກສຶກສາບໍ່ດີ	nak seuk saa baw dee	Students are not good
ນິກສູດບໍ່ມີຄວາມສຸກສາ	nik suut baw mee kwaa m sok saa	Smoking does not bring happiness

As you can see, negation in Lao is quite simple. With a little practice, you will be able to use it correctly in no time!

Practice

To improve your Lao Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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Related Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Pronouns
• Personal pronouns
• Questions
• Future Tense
• Plurals
• Adjectives
• Demonstrative Pronouns