ພວກແປງເພດ

[phuak-bpaeng-pheht]

transgender people 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:

Literally breaks down to:

  • ພວກ [phuak] — group
  • ແປງ [bpaeng] — metamorphose, transform, change, alter
  • ເພດ [phet] — gender

Although people may still used the word ກະເທີຍ [ga-tery], it’s becoming pejorative as time goes on. Like any language, Lao grows and develops new words that matches the time.

Tone Breakdown

ພວກ [phuak] — this syllable has a low-class consonant, long vowel, and unreleased-stop final consonant. As a result, this produces a high-falling tone.

ແປງ [bpaeng] — this syllable has a middle-class consonant, a long vowel, and a sonorant final consonant. As a result, this produces a low tone.

ເພດ [phet] — this syllable has a low-class consonant, long vowel, and unreleased-stop final consonant. As a result, this produces a high-falling tone.