ເຂົ້າໃຈ
khao chai[kʰaw˧˩.t͡ɕaj˩(˧)]
The English phrase 'understand' is translated into Lao as ເຂົ້າໃຈ (khao chai).
ເຂົ້າໃຈ is used to express the act of grasping the meaning of something. To indicate that you have successfully reached a state of understanding, you can add the particle ແລ້ວ (already) after the verb to form ເຂົ້າໃຈແລ້ວ, which means 'understand already'.
Meaning: to grasp the meaning of (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ເຂົ້າໃຈ is a compound of two parts: ເຂົ້າ, which means 'to enter' and ໃຈ, which means 'heart' or 'mind'. Together, they literally mean 'to enter the heart/mind'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To negate the verb and say you do not understand, place the particle ບໍ່ (not) before ເຂົ້າໃຈ to form ບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ.
How do you pronounce it?
khao chai
Did you know?
- The word ໃຈ (heart) appears in dozens of compound words to describe different emotional states, such as ດີໃຈ (good heart) for 'happy' and ເສຍໃຈ (lost heart) for 'sad'.
- While ເຂົ້າໃຈ is the standard verb, Lao speakers often use a polite nod or a soft ເຈົ້າ (yes) to signal they understand, even if they are still processing the information.
- The structure of ເຂົ້າໃຈ is almost identical to the Thai word 'เข้าใจ', reflecting the close linguistic and cultural ties between the two nations.
Examples in context
- ບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ(I) don't understandThis sentence is useful for expressing that you do not understand using the form ເຂົ້າໃຈ.
- ບໍ່ເຂົ້າໃຈ.I don't understand.This is another way to state that you do not understand using the form ເຂົ້າໃຈ.Tatoeba #1897946 by LanguageExpert, translation #376611 by CK
- ອາຈານຕ້ອງເຂົ້າໃຈນັກສຶກສາຂອງລາວ.The professor must understand his students.This sentence demonstrates a context where a professor must understand their students using the form ເຂົ້າໃຈ.Tatoeba #8993595 by Analu_Kalaka, translation #8993596 by Analu_Kalaka
Example conversation
Two people are discussing instructions for a task.
- Aເຈົ້າເຂົ້າໃຈທີ່ຂ້ອຍເວົ້າບໍ່?chao khao chai thi khoy vao bo?Do you understand what I am saying?
- Bຂ້ອຍເຂົ້າໃຈແລ້ວ, ຂອບໃຈຫຼາຍໆ.khoy khao chai laew, khop chai lai lai.I understand now, thank you very much.
- Aດີແລ້ວ, ເລີ່ມເຮັດໄດ້ເລີຍ.dee laew, lerm het dai loey.Great, you can start doing it now.
- Bຕົກລົງ, ຂ້ອຍຈະເຮັດດຽວນີ້.tok long, khoy cha het diao nee.Alright, I will do it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “understand” translations and entries ເຂົ້າໃຈ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ເຂົ້າໃຈ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
