ແຟນ
faen
The Lao word for girlfriend is ແຟນ (faen).
Depending on the context, it can mean a boyfriend, a girlfriend or even a spouse.
Meaning: a female partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Which one should you use?
The Lao word ແຟນ is gender-neutral and can mean either 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' depending on the context.
How do you pronounce it?
faen
Did you know?
- If you want to specify a 'female' friend who is not a romantic partner, you would not use ແຟນ, as it almost always implies a romantic connection.
- In very formal or legal documents, the term ຄູ່ສົມລົດ is used instead of ແຟນ to specify a legally married spouse.
- In some contexts, if you refer to someone as your ແຟນ, people may assume you are more seriously committed than a casual 'dating' relationship in English.
Examples in context
- ລາວມີແຟນແລ້ວ.lao mi faen laeo.He already has a girlfriend.
- ແຟນຂອງຂ້ອຍເປັນຄົນໃຈດີ.faen khong khoy pen khon chai di.My girlfriend is a kind person.
- ເຈົ້າຢາກພົບແຟນໃໝ່ບໍ?chao yak phop faen mai bo?Do you want to meet a new girlfriend?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a party.
- Aເຈົ້າຈະພາແຟນມາບໍ່?chao cha pha faen ma bo?Are you bringing your girlfriend?
- Bແມ່ນ, ລາວຈະມາດ້ວຍ.maen, lao cha ma duay.Yes, she will come along.
- Aດີແລ້ວ, ຂ້ອຍຢາກພົບລາວ.di laew, khoy yak phop lao.Great, I want to meet her.
- Bຂອບໃຈ, ແລ້ວເຈິຈັກັນເດ.khop chai, laew choe chak kan de.Thanks, see you then.
