ລານຕີສະຫວັດ
lantri savat
The English phrase 'good night' is translated into Lao as ລານຕີສະຫວັດ (lantri savat).
This phrase is used as a farewell.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
Which one should you use?
While ລານຕີສະຫວັດ is formal, ຝັນດີ (meaning 'sweet dreams') is the more common, informal way to say 'good night' to friends and family.
How do you pronounce it?
lantri savat
Did you know?
- While ຝັນດີ means 'sweet dreams', the word ຝັນ can also refer to a prophetic vision or a premonition in Lao culture.
- The word ສະຫວັດ in ລານຕີສະຫວັດ is derived from the Sanskrit word 'svasti', which means 'well-being' or 'luck'. It is the same root used in the Thai greeting ສະຫວັດດີ.
- If you are speaking to an elder, you should not use the casual ຝັນດີ on its own. To maintain respect, you must attach a polite particle to the phrase to avoid sounding too blunt.
Example conversation
A parent is putting their child to bed.
- Aໄດ້ເວລາໄປນອນແລ້ວ.dai vela pai non laew.It is time to go to sleep.
- Bຂ້ອຍຢາກອ່ານປຶ້ມອີກໜ້ອຍໜຶ່ງ.khoy yak an puem ik noy nueng.I want to read a book a little more.
- Aບໍ່ໄດ້ແລ້ວ, ລານຕີສະຫວັດ.bor dai laew, lan tee sawat.No more, good night.
- Bລານຕີສະຫວັດ, ພໍ່.lan tee sawat, phor.Good night, Dad.
