ຫົວ
hūa[huːə̯˩(˧)]
The Lao word for "head" is ຫົວ (hūa).
ຫົວ refers to the head as a part of the body. It is also used as a classifier for many objects that have a rounded or protruding top, such as certain fruits or objects with a distinct head-like shape.
Meaning: part of the body (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
hūa
Did you know?
- In Lao culture, the ຫົວ is considered the most sacred part of the body. Touching someone else's head is generally seen as offensive or disrespectful, especially if done to an elder or a monk.
- In a spiritual context, the 'head' is associated with the highest level of purity, while the feet are associated with the lowest. Consequently, pointing your feet toward someone's ຫົວ is a grave insult.
- While ຫົວ refers to the physical head, Lao has different registers of language to refer to the head of a royal person or a high-ranking monk, using a more formal term instead.
Examples in context
- ລາວເຈັບຫົວຫຼາຍ.Lao chep hua lai.He has a big headache.
- ໃສ່ໝວກປົກປິດຫົວໄວ້.Sai muak pok pid hua vai.Wear a hat to cover your head.
- ເດັກນ້ອຍມີຫົວທີ່ນ້ອຍ.Dek noy mi hua thi noy.The baby has a small head.
Example conversation
A son tells his mother about his headache.
- Aແມ່, ລູກເຈັບຫົວ.Mae, luk chep hua.Mom, my head hurts.
- Bເຈົ້າເປັນຫຍັງຫຼາຍບໍ?Chao pen yang lai bo?Is it very bad?
- Aເຈັບໜ້ອຍໜຶ່ງ.Chep noy nueng.It hurts a little.
- Bໄປນອນພັກຜ່ອນເດີ້.Pai non phak phon der.Go lie down and rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “head” translations and entries ຫົວ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
