Lao are truly a people of the heart. The list below from a Vientiane Times article, December 9-15, 1994, shows how many expressions include the word chai or "heart." A culture with so many shades of meaning based on the heart is a deeply sensitive culture. One should always bear this in mind before making a strong comment or taking direct action.
-to understand is to enter the heart -khao chai -to be glad is to Feel good at heart -di chai -to be angry is to feel bad in the heart -chai hai -to be sorry is to have lost the heart -sia chai -to have empathy is to see the heart-hen chai -to feel upset is to be unhappy at heart -ouk chai -to be sensitive (touchy) is to have a small heart -chai noy -to be stingy is to have a narrow heart -chai khap khaep -to be startled is to drop the heart -tok chai -to be absent minded is to have a heart which floats -chai loy -to hesitate is to have many hearts -lai chai -to be worried is to have a sick heart -bo sabai chai -to be content is to have a serene heart -sabai chai -to be without worries is to feel cool in the heart-chai yen
-to be generous is to have a large heart -chai kuang -to have a heavy heart -thouk chai -to be happy -souk chai -to be easily persuaded is to have an easy heart -chai ngai -to be decisive -chai det -to be bitter to the point of revenge is to have a black heart -chai dum -to be charitable is to have a festive heart -chai boun -to be generous is to be big hearted -chai nyai -to be impatient is to have a hot heart -chai hon -to be patient is to have a persevering heart -chai ot thon -to be honest is to have a pure heart -chai bolisud -to be brave is to have a daring heart -chai ka -to be timid is to have a cautious heart -chai boh ka -to control one's emotions is to have a strong heart -chai kaeng
