ເດັກ
dek[dek̚˧˥]
The English word child can be translated into Lao as ເດັກ (dek). Wiktionary also lists ເດັກນ້ອຍ (dek nǭi) and ລູກ (lūk).
Meaning: son or daughter, someone's child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lao | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ເດັກ | dek | [dek̚˧˥] (narrow) [dek̚˩˨] (narrow) |
| ເດັກນ້ອຍ | dek nǭi | [dek̚˧˥.nɔːj˥˨] (narrow) [dek̚˩˨.nɔːj˧˦] (narrow) |
| ລູກ | lūk | [luːk̚˥˨] (narrow) [luːk̚˧˦] (narrow) |
In Lao, the word you choose depends on whether you are talking about a biological relationship or a person's age.
What does it mean word for word?
The term ເດັກນ້ອຍ is composed of ເດັກ (child) and ນ້ອຍ (small), literally meaning small child.
Which one should you use?
Use ລູກ when referring to a person's biological offspring or the specific relationship between a parent and their son or daughter. Use ເດັກນ້ອຍ to refer to a child or young person in a general sense based on their age or developmental stage rather than their family connection.
How do you pronounce it?
dek
Did you know?
- The distinction between ລູກ and ເດັກ is so strict that a parent might refer to their 40-year-old son as ລູກ but never as ເດັກ.
- Lao speakers may use ລູກ to refer to their students, reflecting a cultural view of teachers as parental figures.
- Because ລູກ can also mean 'fruit', a person might colloquially refer to the 'fruits' of their hard work using the same word used for children.
Examples in context
- ເດັກ ຄົນນີ້ຮຽນເກັ່ງຫຼາຍ.dek khon ni hian keng lai.This child is very smart at studying.
- ລາວເປັນ ເດັກ ທີ່ໃຈດີ.lao pen dek thi chai di.He is a kind child.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a neighbor's new baby.
- Aເບິ່ງ ເດັກ ຄົນ ນັ້ນ ດູ.beung dek khon nan du.Look at that child.
- Bເຂົາ ມີ ຕາ ທີ່ ກົມ ຫຼາຍ.khao mi ta thi kom lai.He has very round eyes.
- Aເດັກ ຄົນ ນີ້ ຍິ້ມ ເກັ່ງ.dek khon ni yim keng.This child smiles a lot.
- Bແມ່ນແລ້ວ, ເຂົາ ໜ້າຮັກ ແທ້ໆ.maen laew, khao na hak tae tae.Yes, he is truly cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “child” translations and entries ເດັກ, ເດັກນ້ອຍ, ລູກ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
