Laos Language: What Do They Speak in Laos?
The official language of Laos is Lao. In Lao, the country is called ລາວ. Lao is used in government, education, media and everyday life across the country.
🗣️ Language at a Glance
About the Lao Language
Lao is the official and dominant language of Laos and the everyday language of government, schooling, broadcasting and Buddhist religious life. It belongs to the Lao-Phutai group of the Tai language family and developed alongside Thai from a common Southwestern Tai ancestor. Lao spread through the Lan Xang kingdom from the 14th century onward, and modern standard Lao is based on the dialect of the capital, Vientiane. Lao is very closely related to Thai. The two share a large amount of vocabulary and grammar and are partially mutually intelligible, especially in their spoken forms, which is why many Lao speakers can follow Thai television and music with little difficulty.
The Lao script (Akson Lao): How Lao is Written
Lao is written in the Lao script, an abugida descended from the ancient Khmer script, which in turn traces back to the Brahmic writing systems of India. It runs left to right, and traditionally words are written with no spaces between them: spaces mark the end of a clause or sentence instead. Each consonant carries an inherent vowel, and vowel signs can attach above, below, before or after the consonant they modify.
Is Lao a Tonal Language?
Lao is a tonal language. In the standard Vientiane variety a syllable can carry one of roughly six tones, and changing the pitch contour changes the meaning of an otherwise identical word.
🗨️ Useful Lao Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Lao, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Lao to Learn?
For English speakers Lao is challenging mainly because of its tones and unfamiliar script, both of which take dedicated practice. The grammar, by contrast, is comparatively simple: there is no verb conjugation, no grammatical gender, no plurals and no articles, so once the sound system is learned, sentence building is straightforward.
Language Tips for Visitors to Laos
The official language of Laos is Lao, which may be unfamiliar to many international travellers. While English speakers can often be found in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas, it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to use the local language, even if imperfect. Simple greetings, thank-yous and asking for directions in Lao will go a long way. The country is officially known as ລາວ in Lao, and the international dialling code is +856.
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Laos
What language do they speak in Laos?
The official language of Laos is Lao.
Is English spoken in Laos?
English is not an official language in Laos. The main language is Lao. English may be spoken in tourist areas.
What is Laos called in its own language?
Laos is called "ລາວ" in Lao.
What writing system does Lao use?
Lao is written in the Lao script (Akson Lao). Lao is written in the Lao script, an abugida descended from the ancient Khmer script, which in turn traces back to the Brahmic writing systems of India. It runs left to right, and traditionally words are written with no spaces between them: spaces mark the end of a clause or sentence instead. Each consonant carries an inherent vowel, and vowel signs can attach above, below, before or after the consonant they modify.
Is Lao a tonal language?
Lao is a tonal language. In the standard Vientiane variety a syllable can carry one of roughly six tones, and changing the pitch contour changes the meaning of an otherwise identical word.
How do you say hello in Lao?
"Hello" in Lao is "sabaidee".
Is Lao hard to learn?
For English speakers Lao is challenging mainly because of its tones and unfamiliar script, both of which take dedicated practice. The grammar, by contrast, is comparatively simple: there is no verb conjugation, no grammatical gender, no plurals and no articles, so once the sound system is learned, sentence building is straightforward.
How many official languages does Laos have?
Laos has one official language: Lao.
Do I need to speak Lao to visit Laos?
It is not required but learning basic phrases in Lao is strongly recommended and appreciated.
What is the calling code for Laos?
The international dialling code for Laos is +856.
What is the population of Laos?
Laos has a population of approximately 7.4M, all of whom use Lao as the official language.