ນ້າບ່າວ
[nah-bao]
maternal younger uncle Noun
* Note — Lao sentences and phrases are not typically spaced out by syllables. But, this is helpful for recognizing where syllables start and end.
Tips:
This is the word for the younger uncle on your mother’s side.
Also, it can simple be shorten to ບ່າວ [bao]. For example, I call one of my uncles Bao Goy.
Tone Breakdown
ນ້າ [nah] — this syllable has a low-class consonant and a long vowel. This normally produces a high, but this syllable has a ໄມ້ໂທ /mai toh/ tone mark. Therefore, the tone of the syllable is a high-falling tone.
ບ່າວ [bao] — this syllable has a middle-class consonant, a long vowel, and a sonorant final consonant. This normally produces a low, but this syllable has a ໄມ້ເອກ /mai ehk/ tone mark. Therefore, the tone of the syllable is a middle tone.