Culture note
Asking someone if he/she ate already is very common in Lao culture (and Asian culture for that matter). It has a deep meaning and can act as a form of greeting as well.⠀⠀
The conversation is about greeting one another, asking for coffee, and giving thanks.⠀
ສະບາຍດີ ນ້ອຍ⠀⠀
/Sabaidee Noy/⠀⠀
Hello, Noy.⠀⠀
⠀⠀
ສະບາຍດີ⠀⠀
/Sabaidee/⠀⠀
Hello⠀⠀
⠀⠀
ສະບາຍດີບໍ່
/Sabaidee baw/⠀⠀
How are you?⠀⠀
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ເຈົ້າ,ຂ້ອຍສະບາຍດີ⠀⠀
/jow, khawi sabaidee/⠀⠀
Yes, I’m fine.⠀⠀
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ເຈົ້າກິນເຂົ້າແລ້ວບໍ່⠀⠀
/jow gin kow laaeo baw/⠀⠀
Did you eat already?⠀⠀
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ຍັງບໍ່ທັນໄດ້ກິນເລີຍ⠀⠀
/nyang baw tan dai gin lerrui/⠀⠀
Not yet – haven’t eaten.⠀⠀
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ຂ້ອຍຂໍກາເຟໄດ້ບໍ່⠀⠀
/khawi kaw gaafae dai baw/⠀⠀
May I ask for coffee?⠀⠀
⠀⠀
ເຈົ້າ,ຂ້ອຍໃຫ້ເຈົ້າໄດ້⠀⠀
/jow, khawi hai jow dai/⠀⠀
Yes, I can give it to you.⠀⠀
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ຂອບໃຈເດີ⠀⠀
/kawb jai derr/⠀⠀
Thank you (endearing)