Language Primer: Khmer

The predominant language of Cambodia, characterised by nuance and subtlety.

Sixteen million speakers employ Khmer, which predates its Austrosciatic counterparts Mon and Vietnamese on account of being the official language of the Chenla and Angkor kingdoms.  Like its counterparts, Khmer constitutes a rarity in this region of Southeast Asia on account of its reliance on stress rather than tone.


Read more: Madura is an invisible island off the northeast corner of Java. If you ever find it, try using some Madurese.


Visitors should recognise the importance of Som Pas in Cambodia. This traditional greeting is characterised by palms pressed together in an attitude of prayer; the hands are then lifted to chest level, accompanied by a bow. The higher the hands and lower the bow, the greater the show of respect. Som Pas tends to be used in tandem with saying hello and goodbye and fulfils the same role as a handshake.

It is thus:

EnglishKhmer
Sorry / Excuse meSuom dtoh 
HelloChoum reap sur (formal) / Soo sdai (informal)
How are you?Sok sabai?
I’m fineSok sabai
Thank youAw khun
WelcomeSoum swa-khom
GoodbyeLee hai
PleaseSaum
YesBaat / Baa (m); Chaa (f)
NoOt teh
MaybeBrahel
What’s your name?Nyek chmua ai? 
My name is (Thomm)Knyohm chmua (Thomm)
Where is (the temple)?(Brasaeat) noh ai nah? 
I don’t knowKnyohm aht duong  
I want to go to …Knyohm jang toh … 
How far?Chhngay bonna
How long?Rypel bonman? 
TempleBrasaeat
AirportPr​ lean​ yontohaoh
HotelSanthakar
RestaurantPhochniyodthan
BarBar
How much is this?Thlai puon maan? 
CheapThaok
ExpensiveThlai
Very (cheap)(Thaok) nasa
Do you have a (room)?Tae anak mean (bantob) te?
RoomBantob
BeerSrabier
WaterTuk
CigarettesBari
LighterSral cheang moun
FoodAhar
DrinkPhoek
ChickenSach mean
FishTrei
RiceBay
What’s the score?Tae avei tow chea pintou
I like your noseKhnhom chaulchett chramouh robsa anak
0Soon
1Muy
2Pi
3Bai
4Buhn prum
5Prum
6Prum Muy
7Prum pi
8Prum bai
9Prum buhn
10Dop
11Dop muy
12Dop pi
20Mphai
30Saam
40Sai
50Hay
60Hok
70Chet
80Paet
90Kau
100Muy roy
200Pi roy
300Bai roy

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