Khmer, the official language of Cambodia, possesses a rich and intricate vowel system that contributes to its unique linguistic identity. Vowels play a vital role in the Khmer language, shaping the pronunciation and meaning of words. They differentiate between similar-sounding words, convey meaning, and enhance the overall fluency and expressiveness of spoken and written Khmer.
In the Khmer alphabet, there are a total of 37 vowels, comprising both dependent and independent vowels. Recognizing each vowel character and mastering its correct pronunciation can be quite challenging. It will take some time and effort to remember all of them accurately. Therefore, it is important to approach the learning process patiently and allow yourself time to absorb and comprehend these diverse Khmer vowels. Take your time, embrace the journey, and strive to learn as much as you can.
 |
| Khmer Vowels |
Khmer Dependent Vowels
In the Khmer alphabet, there are 24 dependent vowels in Khmer alphabet. These vowels are positioned before, after, above, below or around consonants. The dotted circle indicates the placement of the consonant, as shown in the image above.
Khmer dependent vowels, just as their name implies, rely on consonants to be pronounced. When standing alone, they are voiceless. As you may recall from previous lesson, all Khmer consonants have either the inherent aw sound or the inherent ow sound. The pronunciation of these dependent vowels is influenced by the inherent sound of the consonant. As a result, these dependent vowels have two sets of pronunciation: one for the first series consonants and another for second series consonants.
 |
| Khmer Dependent Vowels Pronunciation With First Series Consonants |
 |
| Khmer Dependent Vowels With Second Series Consonants |
Khmer Independent Vowels
Khmer independent vowels, are also known as complete vowels, possess both an embedded consonant and vowel sound. These vowels stand independently and are always positioned before consonants.
There are a total of 13 Khmer independent vowels. Some say that there are 15 independent vowels, including the consonant aw អ and the consonant-vowel combination ah អា. However, we exclude them from the count since one is part of the consonants and the other one is merely a phonetic spelling.
This letter អ aw holds a distinctive and significant role in the Khmer alphabet as it functions as both a consonant and a vowel. Without the inherent aw អ sound, the dependent vowels remain voiceless. This is why we can say letter aw អ is like an invisible vowel, given its crucial role in voicing the dependent vowels.
 |
| Khmer Independent Vowels |
