ເຈົ້າ
chao[t͡ɕaw˥˨]
The English pronoun "you" is translated into Lao as ເຈົ້າ (chao) or ທ່ານ.
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Ways to say it
| Lao | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ເຈົ້າ | chao | [t͡ɕaw˥˨] (narrow) [t͡ɕaw˧˦] (narrow) |
|
| ທ່ານ | thān | [tʰaːn˧] (narrow) [tʰaːn˧˨] (narrow) |
formal |
Both forms are used to address the person being spoken to. In Lao, it is very common to omit the subject pronoun 'you' entirely if the context makes it clear who is being addressed.
Which one should you use?
ເຈົ້າ is the standard, common way to say "you" in everyday conversation with friends or equals. In contrast, ທ່ານ is a formal version of 'you' used to show respect to elders, superiors or in professional settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ເຈົ້າ is the informal or standard option for daily use. ທ່ານ is a formal form used in respectful or professional contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
chao
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often over-use ທ່ານ in casual settings, which can make the speaker sound overly stiff or distant.
Did you know?
- The word ເຈົ້າ is also the most common way to say 'yes' in Lao. Depending on the context and tone, the same word used for 'you' can be used to agree or acknowledge a statement.
- In very intimate relationships, Lao speakers often replace ເຈົ້າ with family terms like 'older brother' or 'older sister' regardless of actual blood relation. Using ເຈົ້າ in these close bonds can actually feel cold or distant.
- The word ເຈົ້າ originally meant 'master' or 'owner', derived from a Middle Chinese word for a person in control.
Examples in context
- ເຈົ້າເດ?What about you?This sentence is useful for asking the listener's opinion or status using ເຈົ້າ.Tatoeba #8975744 by Analu_Kalaka, translation #1642551 by CK
- ຂ້ອຍຮັກເຈົ້າ.I love you.This sentence is useful for expressing affection using ເຈົ້າ.Tatoeba #8975706 by Analu_Kalaka, translation #1434 by awael58
- ເຈົ້າເມື່ອຍບໍ່?Are you tired?This sentence is useful for asking a question about someone's physical state using ເຈົ້າ.Tatoeba #8975742 by Analu_Kalaka, translation #317830 by CK
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding where to go for lunch.
- Aເຈົ້າຢາກກິນຫຍັງ?chao yak kin nyang?What do you want to eat?
- Bຂ້ອຍຢາກກິນເຂົ້າຜັດ.khoy yak kin khao phat.I want to eat fried rice.
- Aເຈົ້າຈະໄປຮ້ານໃດ?chao cha pai han dai?Which restaurant will you go to?
- Bໄປຮ້ານໃກ້ໆນີ້ກໍໄດ້.pai han kai kai ni ko dai.We can just go to a nearby restaurant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries ເຈົ້າ, ທ່ານ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ທ່ານ, ເຈົ້າ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
