Ways to say it
| Lao | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ແມ່ນ | mǣn | [mɛːn˧] (narrow) [mɛːn˧˨] (narrow) |
| ແມ່ນແລ້ວ | mǣn lǣu | |
| ໂດຍ | dōi | [doːj˩(˧)] (narrow) [doːj˩˨] (narrow) |
The word ແມ່ນ is used to indicate agreement or acceptance. It can function as a particle for 'yes' to confirm a fact or identity, equivalent to saying 'It is so' or 'That is correct.' Additionally, ແມ່ນ can function as the verb 'to be' (is/am/are) in affirmative sentences.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ແມ່ນແລ້ວ includes the particle ແລ້ວ, which means 'already' or 'finished', to emphasize that a state is already confirmed or completed.
Which one should you use?
Use ແມ່ນ to confirm a fact or identity. Use ແມ່ນແລ້ວ to emphasize that a state is already confirmed or completed, effectively meaning 'yes, already'. In contrast, ໂດຍ is used specifically as a polite way to acknowledge a person or say 'yes'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ໂດຍ is a polite and formal way to say 'yes' or to acknowledge a person, typically used when responding to a superior or in formal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'no' or to say 'it is not/that is not correct', use the negative form ບໍ່ແມ່ນ.
How do you pronounce it?
mǣn
Did you know?
- In Lao culture, the word ໂດຍ is often accompanied by a nop, a gesture where the palms are pressed together in a prayer-like position.
- The formal 'yes', ໂດຍ, shares the same linguistic roots as the Chinese word 对, which means 'correct' or 'to face'.
- In some contexts, responding with ໂດຍ serves as a 'listener response' to show the speaker you are paying attention, even if no question was asked.
Example sentences for Lao are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie.
- Aເຈົ້າມັກຮູບເງົາເລື່ອງນີ້ບໍ່?chao mak hup ngao lueang ni bo?Do you like this movie?
- Bແມ່ນ, ຂ້ອຍມັກຫຼາຍ.maen, khoy mak lai.Yes, I like it a lot.
- Aມັນມ່ວນຫຼາຍແມ່ນບໍ່?man muan lai maen bo?It is very fun, right?
- Bແມ່ນ, ມັນມ່ວນແທ້ໆ.maen, man muan thae thae.Yes, it is really fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries ແມ່ນ, ໂດຍ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ແມ່ນ, ໂດຍ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
