ນ້ອຍ
nǭi[nɔːj˥˨]
The English word 'small' is translated into Lao as ນ້ອຍ (nǭi). Wiktionary also lists ນ້ອຽ (nǭi).
Meaning: not large (adj)
Ways to say it
| Lao | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ນ້ອຍ | nǭi | [nɔːj˥˨] (narrow) [nɔːj˧˦] (narrow) |
| ນ້ອຽ | nǭi |
Both ນ້ອຍ and ນ້ອຽ are used to describe something that is not large.
Which one should you use?
While both forms are available, ນ້ອຍ is the standard and most common way to express 'small' in modern Lao.
How do you pronounce it?
nǭi
Did you know?
- Lao uses ນ້ອຍ in phrases to describe a 'small' heart, which is a common way to describe someone who is timid or shy.
- In Lao culture, ນ້ອຍ is often used as an affectionate term for children or younger siblings, regardless of their actual physical size.
- The word ນ້ອຍ is part of a large family of related words across Southeast Asia, appearing in languages like Thai, Shan, and Zhuang with nearly identical sounds.
Examples in context
- ສັດໂຕນີ້ກໍນ້ອຍຫຼາຍ.sat to ni ko noy lai.This animal is also very small.
- ຂ້ອຍຢາກໄດ້ເຮືອນນ້ອຍໆ.khoy yak dai huean noy noy.I want a small house.
- ມັນເປັນບັນຫາທີ່ນ້ອຍຫຼາຍ.man pen ban ha thi noy lai.It is a very small problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small” translations and entries ນ້ອຍ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ນ້ອຍ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
