ຜີ
phī[pʰiː˩(˧)]
The Lao word for devil is ຜີ (phī).
The word ຜີ is a broad term that can mean ghost, spirit or devil depending on the context. While it can mean 'devil', ຜີ is most commonly used to refer to ghosts or spirits in general.
Meaning: evil creature (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
phī
Did you know?
- The word ຜີ is used in common slang to describe someone who is exceptionally skilled or 'wicked' at a particular task.
- Traditional Lao villages often have a ຜີ of the land who must be appeased with offerings to ensure a good harvest.
- Lao spiritual practice involves 'spirit houses' designed to give ຜີ a place to stay so they do not disturb the people inside the main house.
Examples in context
- ຢ່າໄປໃກ້ຜີນັ້ນ.ya pai kai phi nan.Don't go near that devil.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a scary movie.
- Aເຈົ້າເຫັນຜີໃນໜັງບໍ່?Chao hen phi nai nang bo?Did you see the devil in the movie?
- Bເຫັນ, ມັນໜ້າຢ້ານຫຼາຍ.Hen, man na yan lay.Yes, it was very scary.
- Aຂ້ອຍບໍ່ມັກຜີເລີຍ.Khoy bo mak phi loey.I don't like devils at all.
- Bຂ້ອຍກໍຄືກັນ.Khoy ko khu kan.Me neither.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ຜີ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
