ບໍ່
bǭ[bɔː˧]
In Lao, 'no' is expressed using the particle ບໍ່ (bǭ).
The word ບໍ່ is used to express negation or disagreement. While it can function as a standalone response meaning 'no', it is more frequently used within a sentence as a particle meaning 'not'.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
As a standalone response, ບໍ່ means 'no'. However, it is most commonly employed as a negative particle within a sentence to mean 'not'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used to negate a verb or an adjective, the particle ບໍ່ is typically placed before the word it is negating. To turn a statement into a yes/no question, the particle is placed at the end of the sentence in the form ບໍ່…ບໍ? Additionally, combining the particle with other words can change its meaning. For instance, ບໍ່ໄດ້ translates to 'cannot' or 'not possible'.
How do you pronounce it?
bǭ
Did you know?
- The Lao word ບໍ່ can also mean 'pond' or 'well' when used as a different noun, creating a homonym that depends entirely on context.
- While ບໍ່ means 'no', many Lao people avoid using it as a standalone answer because it can sound too blunt or aggressive.
- The Lao word ບໍ່ is a linguistic cousin to the Chinese character '不' (bù) used for 'no', making it part of a massive family of negation across East and Southeast Asia.
Examples in context
- ບໍ່, ອາຍຸລາວບໍ່ແມ່ນສິບປີ.No, she isn’t ten years old.This sentence demonstrates the use of ບໍ່ in a negative statement.Tatoeba #8986508 by Analu_Kalaka, translation #8986509 by Analu_Kalaka
- ບໍ່, ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຮູ້.bo, khoy bo hu.No, I don't know.
- ລາວບໍ່ໄດ້ໄປຮຽນ.lao bo dai pai hian.He did not go to school.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding whether to eat spicy food.
- Aເຈົ້າຢາກກິນເຜັດບໍ່?chao yak kin phet bo?Do you want to eat spicy food?
- Bບໍ່, ຂ້ອຍກິນເຜັດບໍ່ໄດ້.bo, khoy kin phet bo dai.No, I cannot eat spicy food.
- Aງັ້ນກິນອາຫານອື່ນກໍໄດ້.ngan kin a-han eun kor dai.Then we can eat something else.
- Bຕົກລົງ, ໄປກັນເລີຍ.tok long, pai kan loei.Okay, let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries ບໍ່, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ບໍ່, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
