Work and studyTake leave in Thai
“Take leave” in Thai is ลาlaa; you'll also hear ลาป่วยlaa-bpùay (sick leave).
to take leave, say goodbye verb
- laa mid
- Mid: level, in your normal speaking voice.
ขอลาkǎw laa = (formal) may I take my leave; ลาก่อนlaa gàwn = goodbye (for a long time); ลาป่วยlaa bpùay = to take sick leave.
to take sick leave verb
- laa mid
- bpùay low
- Low: flat and lower than your normal voice, dropping a little at the end.
You'll hear it in Lao Duang Duean (ลาวดวงเดือน).
How to use it
At work ลาlaa means to ask for time off: you ขอลาkǎw laa, ask your boss for leave. Sick leave is ลาป่วยlaa-bpùay, personal leave ลากิจlaa-gìt and your paid holiday ลาพักร้อนlaa pák-ráwn. The same word is a formal goodbye, and quitting a job is ลาออกlaa-àwk, "to take leave and go out".
Other spellings you'll see
There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:
- la puay
More work and study in Thai
All work and study- ประชุม bprà-chum Meeting
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones