Language/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!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Related Lessons
- Conditional Mood
- Pronouns
- Personal pronouns
- Questions
- Future Tense
- Plurals
- Adjectives
- Demonstrative Pronouns