ເອື້ອຍ
eūay
The Lao phrase for big sister is ເອື້ອຍ (eūay).
ເອື້ອຍ is used to refer to a female sibling who is older than the speaker. It is also used as a polite way to address any woman who is slightly older than you, even if you are not biologically related.
How do you pronounce it?
eūay
Did you know?
- While ເອື້ອຍ is used for an older sister, a person may still call them ເອື້ອຍ even if the 'big sister' is actually younger in age, provided the social or family hierarchy dictates that role.
- When a younger sibling speaks to an ເອື້ອຍ, they will often omit the pronoun 'I' entirely, as the relationship is already implied by the use of the kinship term.
- If you use ເອື້ອຍ too often with someone who is actually much older than you, it might accidentally imply they look younger than they are, which can be a compliment or a faux pas.
Examples in context
- ເອື້ອຍຂອງຂ້ອຍຮຽນເກັ່ງຫຼາຍ.euay khong khoy hian kaeng lai.My big sister is very good at studying.
- ເຈົ້າເອື້ອຍຢູ່ໃສ?chao euay yu sai?Where is your big sister?
- ເອື້ອຍກຳລັງເຮັດອາຫານຢູ່ໃນຄົວ.euay kam lang hed a han yu nai khua.Big sister is cooking in the kitchen.
Example conversation
A younger person is asking about their sibling's whereabouts at home.
- Aເອື້ອຍຢູ່ໃສ?euay yu sai?Where is big sister?
- Bເອື້ອຍໄປຕະຫຼາດ.euay pai ta lat.Big sister went to the market.
- Aລາວຈະກັບມາຕອນໃດ?lao cha kab ma ton dai?When will she come back?
- Bເອື້ອຍຈະກັບມາໃນຕອນແລງ.euay cha kab ma nai ton laeng.Big sister will be back in the evening.
