Just like ways to say “yes” in Lao, there’s no direct “no.” So, we’ll learn the different ways to say “no” in different politeness levels.
ບໍ່ /baw/
No⠀
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ບໍ່ /baw/ + verb⠀
Negation of an action by repeating the verb⠀
Ex: ເຫັນບໍ່? ບໍ່ເຫັນ /hen baw? baw hen/ ⠀
“Saw it?” “Did not (see it).” ⠀
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ບໍ່ແມ່ນ /baw maaen/⠀
Not correct⠀
Ex: ແມ່ນບໍ່? ບໍ່ແມ່ນ /maaen baw? baw maaen/⠀
“Correct? Not correct.”⠀
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ບໍ່ + verb + polite ending particle⠀
Not really
Ex: ຢາກກິນບໍ່? /yaak gin baw/ = Want to eat?⠀
ບໍ່ກິນດອກ /baw gin dawk/ = Not + Eat (Not really)⠀
Note: ດອກ /dawk/ = “contrasting” polite ending particle
ບໍ່ເອົາດອກ /baw ow dawk/⠀
No, won’t take it (polite refusal)⠀
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ບໍ່ເອົາ, ຂອບໃຈ /baw ow, kawb jai/⠀
Do not want it. Thank you (No, thank you)⠀
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[Not so polite way]⠀
ບໍ່ນ່າ /baw naa/⠀
No way. Not quite so!