How to create a to-do list in Lao
Ever thought about combining your daily routine with language practice? I love using my to-do list as a way to sneak in a little Lao practice. It’s quick, easy, and helps me stay consistent while learning. Let me show you how you can do the same.
Why use to-do lists for Lao practice?
Think of your to-do list as a mini workout for your brain but in Lao. Just like working out builds strength, this simple habit helps you grow your vocabulary and pronunciation skills in a way that feels natural.
Language learning isn’t just about studying. It’s about making Lao a part of your day, living it and using words you actually need! Plus, every time you check something off your list, you’re celebrating progress in both your tasks and your learning.
What if I don’t know how to write in Lao?
That's okay too. You can write your to-do list in Lao karaoke/transliteration. There’s no right or wrong way to do it since it’s not standardized. Just write it the way you hear it to start.
Tips
The key is to small with tasks from your daily routine and make it fun.
- Use What You Know: Start with simple verbs or words you already know. This reinforces learning.
- Keep It Quick: spend just 5 minutes on it. The goal is consistency, not perfection.
- Have Fun: add colors, doodles, or special categories to make your to-do list uniquely yours!
- Celebrate Wins: every completed task is a step forward. Be proud of the effort you’re putting in.
Creating your first Lao to-do list
1. 📝 Grab your tools
Use a notebook, pen, or your favorite digital notes app. Whatever works best for you. Then write: Things to do - ສິ່ງທີ່ຕ້ອງເຮັດ singthee tohng hed.
2. 📖 Keep a dictionary handy
Have a reliable Lao dictionary nearby for quick translations if needed.
3. 📅 Write the date
Write the date in DD/MM/YYYY format, which is the standard format we use. You can also write it out fully to practice reading it in Lao.
For example, if today’s date is Monday, the 1st of January 2025, here are different ways you can write it down:
| With the day of the week | Without the day of the week |
|---|---|
| ວັນຈັນ ທີ ໑ ເດືອນ ໑ ປີ ໒໐໒໕ | ວັນທີ ໑ ເດືອນ ໑ ປີ ໒໐໒໕ |
| ວັນຈັນ ທີ ໜຶ່ງ ເດືອນ ໜຶ່ງ ປີ ສອງພັນຊາວຫ້າ | ວັນທີໜຶ່ງ ເດືອນ ໜຶ່ງ ປີ ສອງພັນຊາວຫ້າ |
| ວັນຈັນ ທີ 1 ເດືອນ 1 ປີ 2025 | ວັນທີ 1 ເດືອນ 1 ປີ 2025 |
| vanchan thee 1 deuan 1 pee 2025 | vanthee 1 deuan 1 pee 2025 |
| vanchan thee neung deuan neung pee song-phan-saaohaa | vanthee neung deuan neung pee song-phan-saaohaa |
| ວັນຈັນ ທີ 1 ເດືອນມັງກອນ ປີ 2025 | ວັນທີ 1 ເດືອນມັງກອນ ປີ 2025 |
| vanchan thee 1 deuan mangkohn pee 2025 | vanthee 1 deuan mangkohn pee 2025 |
| vanchan thee neung deuan mangkohn pee song-phan-saaohaa | vanthee neung deuan mangkohn pee song-phan-saaohaa |
If you want to challenge yourself to another level, try using the Buddhist year: 2567 ໒໕໖໗
4. ☑️ List your tasks in Lao
Adjust your to-do list based on your Lao level. The more advanced you are, the more detailed your list can be.
When you’re just starting, write your list in English first and then translate it to Lao. As you get more comfortable, you can write it directly in Lao.
- ◻︎ Wake up - ຕື່ນ teun
- ◻︎ Take a shower - ອາບນ້ຳ aab naam
- ◻︎ Cook - ເຮັດກິນ hed kin
- ◻︎ Eat food - ກິນເຂົ້າ kin khao
- ◻︎ Go to work - ໄປເຮັດວຽກ pai hed viak
- ◻︎ Go to school - ໄປໂຮງຮຽນ pai hong-hian
- ◻︎ Go to the market - ໄປຕະຫຼາດ pai talaad
- ◻︎ Workout - ອອກກຳລັງກາຍ ohk kamlang kaai
- ◻︎ Read a book - ອ່ານປຶ້ມ aan peum
- ◻︎ Meet a friend - ໄປຫາໝູ່ pai haa moo
- ◻︎ Meet my parents - ໄປຫາພໍ່ແມ່ pai haa phoh mae
- ◻︎ Wake up at 6 - ຕື່ນ 8 ໂມງ teun paed mong
- ◻︎ Take a shower by 7 - ອາບນ້ຳກ່ອນ 7 ໂມງ aab naam kohn 7 mong
- ◻︎ Cook for the kids - ເຮັດກິນໃຫ້ລູກ hed kin hai look
- ◻︎ Eat breakfast - ກິນເຂົ້າເຊົ້າ kin khao sao
- ◻︎ Go to work and drop off the kids at school - ໄປເຮັດວຽກ ແລະ ສົ່ງລູກຢູ່ໂຮງຮຽນ pai hed viak lae song look yoo honghian
- ◻︎ Go buy vegetables at the market - ໄປຊື້ຜັກຢູ່ຕະຫຼາດ pai seu phak yoo talaad
- ◻︎ Workout with a friend - ອອກກຳລັງກາຍກັບໝູ່ ohk kamlang kaai kab moo
- ◻︎ Read 1 page of the book - ອ່ານປຶ້ມ 1 ໜ້າ aan peum 1 naa
- ◻︎ Meet my parents on Monday - ໄປຫາພໍ່ແມ່ວັນຈັນ pai haa phoh mae vanchan
Want more verbs for your to-do list? My Daily Routine in Lao is your go-to guide with 338 action verbs, audio support.
5. 🗣️ Read it outloud
Get that speaking practice in by reading your tasks outloud to improve your pronunciation.
Ready to start?
Take 5 minutes today to create your first Lao to-do list. It’s a simple, fun, and effective way to make Lao a part of your daily life. Every word you write and say brings you closer to fluency. You’ve got this!
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