What is Kip?
Kip (LAK) is the official currency of Laos. Unlike many other currencies, Kip is not subdivided into smaller units like cents. The most commonly used denominations are 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 Kip notes. Coins are rarely used, and most transactions are conducted with banknotes.
Essential Lao Vocabulary for Counting Money
Before you start counting, it’s important to know the Lao words for numbers and currency. Here are some basic words and phrases you will use frequently:
- Kip (ກີບ) – Kip (currency)
- Ngeun (ເງິນ) – Money
- Nueng (ໜຶ່ງ) – 1
- Song (ສອງ) – 2
- Sam (ສາມ) – 3
- Sii (ສີ່) – 4
- Ha (ຫ້າ) – 5
- Sip (ສິບ) – 10
- Sao (ຊາວ) – 20
- Sam Sip (ສາມສິບ) – 30
- Saen (ແສນ) – 100,000
How to Say and Count Money Amounts in Lao
When counting money in Lao, you simply state the number followed by the word “Kip”. For example:
- 1,000 Kip – Nueng pan kip (ໜຶ່ງພັນກີບ)
- 10,000 Kip – Sip pan kip (ສິບພັນກີບ)
- 100,000 Kip – Nueng saen kip (ໜຶ່ງແສນກີບ)
For amounts that are not rounded, you combine the numbers. For example, 25,000 Kip would be Sao ha pan kip (ຊາວຫ້າພັນກີບ), which literally means “twenty five thousand Kip.”
Examples of Counting Money in Daily Life
- How much is this? – Ni thao dai? (ນີ້ເທົ່າໃດ?)
- It costs 15,000 Kip – Sip ha pan kip (ສິບຫ້າພັນກີບ)
- I have 50,000 Kip – Khoy mi haa sip pan kip (ຂ້ອຍມີຫ້າສິບພັນກີບ)
Tips for Handling Kip in Laos
- Always check the denomination of your notes, as Lao banknotes can look similar in color and design.
- When shopping or paying for services, it is common to round prices to the nearest 1,000 or 500 Kip in casual settings.
- Get familiar with the larger denominations for high-value purchases and smaller notes for daily expenses.
- Practice listening to and saying amounts in Lao to improve your fluency and confidence.
Practice Counting Money with Talkpal
Mastering money-related vocabulary and counting in Kip is an important step for any Lao language learner. With Talkpal, you can practice real-life scenarios, such as shopping or bargaining, with AI-powered conversations tailored to your current level. This immersive approach helps you build confidence in both spoken and written Lao, especially when dealing with financial transactions.
Conclusion
Learning how to count money in Kip not only enhances your language skills but also prepares you for practical situations in Laos. By understanding numbers, key phrases, and cultural tips, you will find it much easier to navigate daily life, whether you are a tourist, an expat, or a language enthusiast. For more language tips, resources, and interactive exercises, visit Talkpal – AI language learning blog and start your journey to mastering Lao today!
