How Do You Say “Kiss” in Lao?
The Lao word for “to kiss” is ຈູບ joob.
But here’s the interesting part: in Lao culture, people rarely ຈູບ joob in public. Affection is often kept private, either out of modesty or shyness.
What Is the Lao Kiss?
Instead of the Western lip-to-lip kiss, traditional Lao culture has something unique: the ຫອມແກ້ມ hohm kaem, often described as “sniffing cheeks.”
Loved ones gently press their nose against a cheek or neck, sometimes with the phrase: ມາໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍຫອມ maa hai khoi hom, let me smell you. It’s a tender gesture that expresses warmth, family closeness, and modesty.
Parents especially love to ຫອມ hom their children, savoring the sweet baby scent that reminds them of innocence and love.
Can You Show Love in Public?
In Laos, public displays of affection like hugging or kissing are uncommon. To maintain social harmony and respect, physical affection is usually kept private.
How Do Lao People Show Kisses Through Texting?
Among younger Lao speakers, digital affection has found its own playful form. In text messages, people often type “ຈຸບຈຸບ jub jub” or “ຈຸບຸຈຸບຸ jubu jubu” to send kisses similar to how English speakers use “xxx” or "xoxo".
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