ແຊບ
sǣp[sɛːp̚˥˨]
The Lao word for delicious is ແຊບ (sǣp). Wiktionary also lists ນົວ (nūa).
Meaning: pleasing to taste (adj)
Ways to say it
| Lao | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ແຊບ | sǣp | [sɛːp̚˥˨] (narrow) [sɛːp̚˧˦] (narrow) |
| ນົວ | nūa |
ແຊບ is used to describe food that is pleasing to the taste in a general sense. To express that something is very delicious, you can say ແຊບຫຼາຍ by adding ຫຼາຍ (much) after the adjective.
Which one should you use?
While ແຊບ is a general term for delicious, the colloquial form ນົວ is used to describe food that is rich, savory or has a well-balanced, deep flavor, often implying a good amount of seasoning or umami.
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask how delicious something is, you can use the structures ແຊບປານໃດ or ແຊບຫຼາຍປານໃດ.
How do you pronounce it?
sǣp
Did you know?
- In some contexts, repeating the word ແຊບ can emphasize the pleasure of the meal, a common feature of Southeast Asian languages called reduplication.
- The word ນົວ can also be used as a verb in certain contexts to mean 'to mix' or 'to blend', which reflects its use in describing well-blended food flavors.
- The Lao word ແຊບ belongs to a wider family of Tai-Kadai languages, meaning you will find very similar sounding versions in Isan and Northern Thai.
Examples in context
- ໝາກກ້ຽງນີ້ບໍ່ແຊບ.This orange isn’t delicious.This sentence is useful for expressing that an orange is not delicious using ແຊບ.Tatoeba #8980181 by Analu_Kalaka, translation #8980182 by Analu_Kalaka
- ຕຳໝາກຫຸ່ງນີ້ບໍ່ແຊບປານໃດ.This papaya salad isn’t very delicious.This sentence is useful for expressing that a papaya salad is not very delicious using ແຊບ.Tatoeba #8984932 by Analu_Kalaka, translation #8984933 by Analu_Kalaka
- ອາຫານລາວແຊບຫຼາຍ.ahan lao saep lai.Lao food is very delicious.
Example conversation
A and B are eating lunch together.
- Aລອງຊິມເບິ່ງ, ມັນແຊບຫຼາຍ.long sim boeng, man saep lai.Try tasting it, it's very delicious.
- Bແມ່ນແລ້ວ, ແຊບແທ້ໆ.maen laew, saep tae tae.You're right, it's really delicious.
- Aເຈົ້າມັກອາຫານລາວບໍ່?chao mak ahan lao bo?Do you like Lao food?
- Bມັກຫຼາຍ ເພາະວ່າມັນແຊບ.mak lai phaw wa man saep.I like it a lot because it's delicious.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “delicious” translations and entries ແຊບ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ແຊບ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
