ສາວຂາວ
sao khao
The Lao phrase for white girl is ສາວຂາວ (sao khao).
This phrase is commonly used to refer to Westerners or people of Caucasian descent.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word for 'young woman' (ສາວ) and the word for 'white' (ຂາວ).
How do you pronounce it?
sao khao
Did you know?
- In Lao culture, the word ຂາວ (white) is often used as a synonym for 'pure' or 'clean' when describing character, extending the phrase's connotation beyond just physical appearance.
- Because skin tone is a major beauty standard in Southeast Asia, the phrase ສາວຂາວ can carry an unintended compliment regarding beauty and status.
- The word ສາວ (young woman) is a staple in Lao romantic poetry and song titles to evoke youthful beauty.
Examples in context
- ນັ້ນແມ່ນ ສາວຂາວ.nan mae sao khao.That is a white girl.
- ນາງເປັນ ສາວຂາວ ທີ່ງາມຫຼາຍ.nang pen sao khao thi ngam lai.She is a very beautiful white girl.
Example conversation
Two friends are observing people at a cafe.
- Aເບິ່ງ ສາວຂາວ ຄົນນັ້ນແມ໋.beung sao khao khon nan mae.Look at that white girl.
- Bລາວເບິ່ງດີຫຼາຍ.lao beung di lai.She looks very good.
- Aລາວມາຈາກປະເທດໃດ?lao ma chak prathet dai?Where does she come from?
- Bຂ້ອຍບໍ່ຮູ້ຄືກັນ.khoy bo hu khue kan.I don't know either.
