ພໍ່
phǭ[pʰɔː˧]
The Lao word for "dad" is ພໍ່ (phǭ).
The term ພໍ່ functions as both a noun meaning "father" and as a direct address when calling out to one's father as "Dad".
Meaning: informal: a father (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Lao Northeastern Dialect (Isan), people often use ພໍ່ to say "dad".
How do you pronounce it?
phǭ
When do people say it?
In Lao culture, it is common to use kinship terms like ພໍ່ to address older men or people of a similar age to one's father as a sign of respect, even if they are not biological relatives.
Did you know?
- The word ພໍ່ is a cognate with the Ahom language, which was spoken by the founders of the Ahom Kingdom in present-day Assam, India.
- In Lao literature or traditional songs, the word ພໍ່ is often used as a poetic way to refer to a king or a high-ranking leader, personifying the nation as a family.
- When using ພໍ່ as a title for someone not related to you, it acts as a 'social lubricant' to create an immediate sense of warmth and trust in a conversation.
Examples in context
- ພໍ່ຂອງຂ້ອຍໃຈດີຫຼາຍ.pho khong khoy chai dee lai.My dad is very kind.
- ພໍ່ກໍາລັງນອນຢູ່.pho kam lang non yu.Dad is sleeping.
- ຂ້ອຍຢາກໃຫ້ພໍ່ມາຫາ.khoy yak hai pho ma ha.I want dad to come visit.
Example conversation
A daughter is asking her mother about her father's whereabouts.
- Aແມ່, ພໍ່ຢູ່ໃສ?mae, pho yu sai?Mom, where is dad?
- Bພໍ່ຢູ່ສວນ.pho yu suan.Dad is in the garden.
- Aພໍ່ເຮັດວຽກຢູ່ບໍ?pho het viak yu bo?Is dad working?
- Bບໍ່, ພໍ່ກໍາລັງປູກຕົ້ນໄມ້.bo, pho kam lang puk ton mai.No, dad is planting trees.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ພໍ່, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ພໍ່, CC BY-SA 4.0.
