ບໍ່ດີ
bǭ dī
The Lao word for "bad" is ບໍ່ດີ (bǭ dī).
ບໍ່ດີ is used as an adjective to express that something is unfavorable or negative. It is often used to describe quality or behavior.
Meaning: unfavorable, negative (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of ບໍ່ (not) and ດີ (good).
Which one should you use?
While ບໍ່ດີ means "not good" in a general sense, it is often used to describe quality or behavior, whereas more intense words for 'bad' or 'evil' might be used for moral wickedness.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, ບໍ່ດີ does not change its form based on the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
bǭ dī
Did you know?
- While ບໍ່ດີ describes a lack of quality, the word ຊົ່ວ (evil) is rooted in the concept of being 'rotten'. This associates moral badness with physical decay rather than just the opposite of 'good'.
- In Lao, the word ດີ (good) can be used as a verb meaning 'to heal' or 'to recover'. Therefore, saying someone is ບໍ່ດີ (not good) can be a common way to say they have not yet recovered from an illness.
- In Lao culture, calling someone 'bad' directly can cause them to 'lose face', so people often use indirect descriptions of 'difficult' behavior instead.
Examples in context
- ນິໄສນີ້ບໍ່ດີ.nisai ni bo di.This habit is bad.
- ຂ່າວນີ້ບໍ່ດີເລີຍ.khao ni bo di loei.This news is not good at all.
- ມັນເປັນຄວາມຄິດທີ່ບໍ່ດີ.man pen khwam khit thi bo di.It is a bad idea.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a recent decision.
- Aເຈົ້າຄິດວ່າແຜນນີ້ດີບໍ່?chao khit wa phaen ni di bo?Do you think this plan is good?
- Bຂ້ອຍວ່າມັນບໍ່ດີ.khoy wa man bo di.I think it is bad.
- Aເປັນຫຍັງເດ?pen yang de?Why is that?
- Bມັນມີຄວາມສ່ຽງຫຼາຍ.man mi khwam siang lai.It is very risky.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bad” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
