Planning a trip to Cambodia?
Immerse yourself in the local culture and make the most of your experience by mastering a few key phrases in the Khmer language. While English is spoken in some tourist areas, knowing some basic Khmer phrases will go a long way in fostering connections, showing respect, and enhancing your overall travel experience.
In this article, we will introduce you to essential phrases that will help you navigate your way through Cambodia with ease and connect with the friendly local population.
Greetings and Basic Expressions:
- Hello *informal (សួស្តី) - [sues'day]
- Hello *formal (ជំរាបសួរ) - [chom reap sour]
- Thank you (អរគុណ) - [aw koon]
- Yes *male (បាទ) - [baht]
- Yes *female (ចាស) - [jah]
- No (ទេ) - [tay]
- Excuse me/sorry (សុំទោស) - [som tos]
- Goodbye (ជំរាបលា) - [chom reap lea]
Getting Around:
- Where is...? (តើនៅឯណា...?) - [ter nov ae na]
- How much is it? (តើថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន?) - [ter thlai bpon marn]
- I would like... (ខ្ញុំចង់) - [knyom jong]
- I don't understand. (ខ្ញុំមិនយល់) - [knyom min yul]
- Can you help me? (តើអ្នកអាចជួយខ្ញុំបានទេ?) - [ter nak arch chuy knyom ban te?]
Eating and Drinking:
- Please bring the menu (ខ្ញុំសូមមុឺនុយ។) - [knyom som meu nouy]
- I want to order... (ខ្ញុំចង់កម្មង់...) - [knyom jong k'mong]
- Water, please. (សូមទឹក។) - [som teuk]
- Delicious (ឆ្ងាញ់) - [chhnganh]
- I'm full. (ខ្ញុំឆ្អែត) - [knyom ch'ate]
- The bill, please. (សូមគិតលុយ។) - [som kit luy]
Basic Numbers:
- One (១) - [muy]
- Two (២) - [pee]
- Three (៣) - [bai]
- Ten (១០) - [dop]
- Hundred (១០០) - [muy roy]
- Thousand (១០០០) - [muy puan]
- Ten Thousand (១០០០០) - [muy meun]
Directions:
- Left (ឆ្វេង) - [chvang]
- Right (ស្ដាំ) - [sdarm]
- Straight ahead (នៅមុខ) - [nov mok]
- Go straight (ទៅមុខ) - [tov mok]
- Stop (ឈប់) - [chob]
Emergencies:
- Help (ជួយផង!) - [choy porng]
- Where is the hospital? (តើមន្ទីពេទ្យនៅឯណា?) - [ter montipet novenea]
- I need a doctor. (ខ្ញុំត្រូវការគ្រូពេទ្យ។) - [knyom trov ka kroo phet]
- I'm sick. (ខ្ញុំឈឺ។) - [knyom chheu]
Cambodia is a beautiful country with a warm and welcoming population. By mastering these essential Khmer phrases, you'll not only navigate the practicalities of your trip more smoothly but also forge connections and create lasting memories.
So, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and embrace the Khmer language during your travels in Cambodia!
