ເດັກນ້ອຍ
dek noi[dek̚˧˥.nɔːj˥˨]
The English phrase 'baby' can be translated into Lao as ເດັກນ້ອຍ (dek noi).
This phrase is used to refer to a very young child.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of ເດັກ, meaning child and ນ້ອຍ, meaning small.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is dek noi.
Did you know?
- In traditional Lao beliefs, some parents avoid using the child's real name and instead call them ເດັກນ້ອຍ or other generic terms to protect the baby from evil spirits.
- In Lao culture, the term ເດັກນ້ອຍ is sometimes used as a playful or mild insult toward adults who are acting immaturely or being naive.
- In many Lao households, a baby might be addressed with the honorific prefix ນ້ອງ meaning 'younger sibling' even if they are not part of the immediate family.
Examples in context
- ເດັກນ້ອຍຄົນນີ້ໜ້າຮັກຫຼາຍ.dek noi khon ni na hak lai.This baby is very cute.
- ມີເດັກນ້ອຍນອນຢູ່ເທິງຕຽງ.mi dek noi non yu thang tiang.There is a baby sleeping on the bed.
- ເດັກນ້ອຍກຳລັງຮ້ອງໄຫ້.dek noi kam lang hong fai.The baby is crying.
Example conversation
A mother and father talking about their newborn in the living room.
- Aເດັກນ້ອຍນອນຫຼັບແລ້ວບໍ?dek noi non lap laeo bo?Is the baby asleep?
- Bແມ່ນແລ້ວ, ເຂົາຫຼັບສະບາຍດີ.maen laeo, khao lap sa bai di.Yes, he is sleeping peacefully.
- Aເດັກນ້ອຍຄົນນີ້ເປັນແນວໃດແດ່?dek noi khon ni pen naew dai dae?How is the baby doing?
- Bເຂົາແຂງແຮງດີຫຼາຍ.khao khaeng haeng di lai.He is very healthy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ເດັກນ້ອຍ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
