ສູນ
sūn[suːn˩(˧)]
The Lao word for zero is ສູນ (sūn). Wiktionary also lists ໐.
Meaning: cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing (num)
Ways to say it
| Lao | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ສູນ | sūn | [suːn˩(˧)] (narrow) [suːn˥˧˧] (narrow) |
|
| ໐ | numeral |
ສູນ is used to denote the cardinal number before 1, representing the concept of nothing.
Which one should you use?
ສູນ is the written word, while ໐ is the numeral form.
How do you pronounce it?
sūn
Did you know?
- The word ສູນ can also be used to refer to a 'center' or 'hub' in modern Lao, such as in the word for a 'shopping center'.
- In Lao, ສູນ can be used in different contexts to mean 'lost' or 'disappeared'. This usage stems from the word's root meaning of being empty or void.
- In certain traditional Lao contexts, the idea of 'zero' or 'emptiness' is linked to Buddhist notions of Nirvana, where the self is emptied of desire.
Examples in context
- ຄະແນນຂອງລາວແມ່ນສູນ.kha-naen khong lao maen sun.His score is zero.
- ເລກສູນຢູ່ໃສ?lek sun yu sai?Where is the number zero?
Example conversation
A student is checking their test results with a teacher.
- Aຄະແນນສອບເສັງຂອງຂ້ອຍແມ່ນເທົ່າໃດ?kha-naen sop-seng khong khoy maen thao dai?What is my test score?
- Bມັນແມ່ນສູນເດີ້, ເຈົ້າຕ້ອງຕັ້ງໃຈຮຽນກວ່າເກົ່າ.man maen sun der, chao tong tang-chai hian kwa kao.It is zero, you need to study harder.
- Aແທ້ບໍ? ຂ້ອຍເສຍໃຈຫຼາຍ.thae bo? khoy sia-chai lai.Really? I am very sad.
- Bບໍ່ເປັນຫຍັງ, ຄັ້ງໜ້າພະຍາຍາມໃໝ່.bo pen yang, khang na pha-ya-yam mai.It's okay, try again next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zero” translations and entries ສູນ, ໐, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
