ສີຂາວ
si khao
The Lao word for white is ສີຂາວ (si khao).
The term is used as a noun to refer to the color white.
Meaning: color (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the noun for a specific color, the Lao word for color (ສີ) precedes the name of the color (ຂາວ). Therefore, ສີຂາວ literally translates to white color.
How do you pronounce it?
si khao
Did you know?
- In certain traditional Lao contexts, the color white can be associated with mourning or the afterlife, much like in other Southeast Asian cultures.
- The word ຂາວ is closely related to terms used in other Tai-Kadai languages, showing a prehistoric linguistic link across Southeast Asia and Southern China.
- While ສີຂາວ refers to the color, the word ຂາວ can also be used to describe someone who is 'fair-skinned' as a compliment.
Examples in context
- ຂ້ອຍມັກສີຂາວ.khoy mak si khao.I like white.
- ເສື້ອໂຕນີ້ແມ່ນສີຂາວ.seu to ni maen si khao.This shirt is white.
- ເຈົ້າຢາກໄດ້ສີຂາວ ຫຼື ສີດໍາ?chao yak dai si khao reu si dam?Do you want white or black?
Example conversation
Two people are looking at house paint samples.
- Aເຈົ້າຢາກໄດ້ສີຫຍັງ?chao yak dai si nyang?What color do you want?
- Bຂ້ອຍຢາກໄດ້ສີຂາວ.khoy yak dai si khao.I want white.
- Aສີຂາວເບິ່ງສະອາດດີ.si khao boeng sa-at di.White looks very clean.
- Bແມ່ນແລ້ວ, ມັນງາມຫຼາຍ.maen laew, man ngam lai.Yes, it is very beautiful.
