ເອື້ອຍ
ē ʼư̄ ʼa nya
The Lao word for "older sister" is ເອື້ອຍ (ē ʼư̄ ʼa nya).
ເອື້ອຍ means "older sister". Beyond biological siblings, it is used as a polite honorific when addressing a woman slightly older than yourself, even if you are not related.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
ē ʼư̄ ʼa nya
When do people say it?
The word for older sister is used as a polite honorific when addressing a woman slightly older than yourself, even if you are not related.
Did you know?
- In much of Laos, children might call their teachers or female authority figures ເອື້ອຍ to soften the power dynamic and show closeness.
- In traditional Lao family structures, an ເອື້ອຍ often carries a cultural expectation of mentorship and care for her younger siblings that exceeds the typical Western 'sister' role.
- In a market or shop, addressing a female seller as ເອື້ອຍ can actually help you secure a better price or friendlier service through social rapport.
Examples in context
- ເອື້ອຍຂ້ອຍບໍ່ເຮັດວຽກ.My older sister doesn’t work.This sentence shows how to use ເອື້ອຍ to refer to one's own older sister.Tatoeba #8981602 by Analu_Kalaka, translation #8981603 by Analu_Kalaka
- ເອື້ອຍຂອງຂ້ອຍສວຍຫຼາຍ.euay khong khoy suay lai.My older sister is very beautiful.
- ເອື້ອຍກຳລັງເຮັດກິນຢູ່.euay kam lang het kin yu.Older sister is cooking right now.
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking at home.
- Aເອື້ອຍໄປໃສ?euay pai sai?Where did older sister go?
- Bເອື້ອຍໄປຕະຫຼາດ.euay pai ta lat.Older sister went to the market.
- Aເອື້ອຍຈະມາໄວບໍ່?euay cha ma vai bo?Will older sister come back soon?
- Bເອື້ອຍກໍຈະມາໄວໆນີ້.euay kor cha ma vai vai ni.Older sister will be back very soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older sister” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
