laos
B2Formal
Definition
Meaning
A landlocked country in Southeast Asia, officially known as the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Refers to the nation, its culture, people, language, and things originating from there.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a proper noun. When referring to the language, it is 'Lao', not 'Laos'. The people are 'Lao' or 'Laotians'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in pronunciation; no significant spelling or lexical differences.
Connotations
Neutral geographical/political reference in both.
Frequency
Similar frequency in geographical, political, and travel contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[country name as subject/object][prepositional phrase: in/from/to ~]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The company is exploring investment opportunities in Laos.'
Academic
'The study focuses on agrarian reform in post-colonial Laos.'
Everyday
'We're planning a holiday to Laos next year.'
Technical
'The Mekong River forms a large part of the western border of Laos.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Laos is in Asia.
- The capital of Laos is Vientiane.
- I have never been to Laos.
- Laos is famous for its waterfalls and Buddhist temples.
- Laos, which is one of the few remaining socialist states, has experienced significant economic growth.
- Tourism in Laos has developed rapidly over the past decade.
- The geopolitical significance of Laos, situated between more powerful neighbours, has shaped much of its modern history.
- French colonial architecture in Laos offers a stark contrast to the traditional Lao wooden dwellings.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LAOS: Land Always Of Serenity (a common travel slogan).
Conceptual Metaphor
A country as a container (e.g., 'in Laos'), a destination on a journey.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лаос' (the Lao language/people). The country name in Russian is 'Лаос'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'Laos' as an adjective (use 'Lao' instead, e.g., Lao food).
- Pronouncing it as 'Lay-os'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is correct when referring to something from Laos?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are acceptable. 'Lao' often refers to the ethnic majority, while 'Laotian' is a nationality term for any citizen.
Most common: /laʊs/ (rhymes with 'house'). Also common in American English: /ˈlɑːoʊs/ (LAH-ohs). The 's' is pronounced.
The official language is Lao. It is not called 'Laos'.
The 's' is a French colonial-era addition to the name of the kingdom of Lan Xang. It remains in the English exonym.