ເປັນຫຍັງ
pen nyang[pen˩(˧).ɲaŋ˩(˧)]
The Lao word for "why" is ເປັນຫຍັງ (pen nyang).
The term ເປັນຫຍັງ is an interrogative adverb used to ask for the reason or cause behind something.
Meaning: (interrogative) for what reason (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ເປັນ (to be) and ຫຍັງ (what), literally meaning "to be what".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Lao, ເປັນຫຍັງ can be used as a standalone question or as a conjunction to connect clauses.
How do you pronounce it?
pen nyang
Did you know?
- Because ເປັນຫຍັງ literally means 'to be what', you can also use it to ask 'what is wrong?' or 'what happened?' when someone looks upset.
- In many contexts, instead of saying 'Why?', Lao speakers might respond to a problem by saying ເປັນຫຍັງກໍໄດ້ which means 'anything is fine' or 'it doesn't matter'.
- While ເປັນຫຍັງ is the standard way to ask 'why', if you use it with a sharp, rising tone, it can sound like you are accusing someone of doing something wrong.
Examples in context
- ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຈຶ່ງບໍ່ມາ?pen yang chao chueng bor ma?Why didn't you come?
- ເປັນຫຍັງລາວຈຶ່ງຮ້ອນ?pen yang lao chueng hon?Why is it hot?
- ເປັນຫຍັງເຈົ້າຮ້ອງໄຫ້?pen yang chao hong hai?Why are you crying?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a cancelled plan.
- Aເປັນຫຍັງພວກເຮົາຈຶ່ງບໍ່ໄປ?pen yang phuak hao chueng bo pai?Why aren't we going?
- Bເພາະວ່າຝົນຕົກໜັກ.phaw va fon tok nak.Because it is raining heavily.
- Aແລ້ວພວກເຮົາຈະເຮັດຫຍັງ?laew phuak hao cha het yang?Then what will we do?
- Bພວກເຮົາຢູ່ບ້ານກັນເຖາະ.phuak hao yu ban kan thao.Let's just stay home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “why” translations and entries ເປັນຫຍັງ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
