The official language is Laotian, which has its origins in Sanskrit and Pali.
The Laotian language, originally spoken and not written, is tonal Asian languages, that is to say massive uses of voice and musicality. Westerners, not used to this subtlety that makes the pronunciations so hard to differentiate. The Lao language is simple with no grammar, however.
| Hello : Sabaïdii |
Hôtel : Hong hem |
| Thank you : Khop chai |
Toilettes : Hong nam |
| Please : Kaloona |
Post : Paisanee |
| Goodbye : La Khon |
0 : Soun |
| No problem : Bo pen yang |
1 : Neung |
| Eating : kin Khao |
2 : Song |
| Water : Nam |
3 : Sam |
| Drink : Kin Nam |
4 : See |
| Yes : Doy, Jao |
5 : Ha |
| No : Bo |
6 : Hok |
| Where? : Yoo sai ? |
7 : Tiet |
| How much? : Thao dai ? |
8 : Pet |
| Expensive : Pheng |
9 : Kao |
| Bus : Lot Mae |
10 : Sip |
| Medicine : Than mô |
100 : Neung Hoy |
| Hospital : Hong mô |
1000 : Neung Phan |