47 words and phrases to learn in Khmer to travel

Cambodia stretches your arms and you would like to stretch your ear? Here are 47 words and phrases to learn Khmer and become bilingual!

Cambodia, a small country nestled on the Gulf of Thailand, nearby and bordering Vietnam, breathes peace and purity despite scars left by the red Khmers. Mass tourism is not yet too present in this country despite its cultural and heritage treasures as the temples of Angkor or Phnom Kulen National Park .

Nevertheless, Cambodia does not sum up these fabulous vestiges, its traditional Khmer culture is just as intriguing. The dominant ethnic group of Cambodia, this indigenous people has their own history, language, culture and art.

So if your next trip is in Cambodia, here are a few words and phrases of Khmer vocabulary that will help you get out of any situation.

Pronunciation

Learning a language is long enough and often, it is necessary to be patient. A complex to learn, the Khmer language is all the more difficult to learn for French people who cannot cling to any literary or phonetic resemblance. However, nothing is impossible!

The Khmer alphabet has 33 consonants and 39 vowels. The consonants, like the vowels, are divided into two groups:

• 15 consonants with light tone characters of sound type OR
• 18 consonants with heavy tone characters of sound type O
• 15 autonomous vowels that can be used alone, without being related to consonants, with a significant meaning.
• 24 simple vowels, combining with consonants by placing before or after, which alter the sound.

1. Basic expressions

• Sou sdey : Hello
• Sok sabay: How are you?
• Sok sabay. Tcho nea vegn? : All right, thanks, what about you?
• Teuï neak niyeay baraing te? : Do you speak French/English?
• At jol: I understand/ I don't understand
• Som toh : Excuse me.
• Lee Hai: Goodbye.
• Svakom: Welcome.
• Orkurn (chran): Thank you.
• Som toh : Excuse me/Please
• Knyom Barang: I am French
• Knyom chmoh: My name is
• Attempted, orkurn: No thanks.
• Cha (if you are a girl) or Baat (if you are a boy) / Attachment: Yes/No
• Men ey tei: You're welcome.

2. The expressions to guide

• Khnom Chorng: I'd like to go.
• Rot plen : Train
• Taksai: Taxi
• Lan kron: Bus
• Khnom Chorng: I would like to rent
• Moto: Moto
• Lan: Car
• Tiy naa ...? : Where is...? / How to...?
• Kaket / Tchhngaye? : Is that close?
• Trang: Straight
• Tchveng / Sdam: Left/Droite
• Tchun / Tbon / Kaut / Lek : North / South / East / West

3. Expressions to understand and get understood

Learning the Khmer being quite complex, we recommend buying some books such as a dictionary or a book of expressions. So you can have them in support if you have a memory hole, a difficulty to pronounce or to find a word.

• Teuï neak niyeay baraing te? : Are you speaking French?
• Kniom bann vongveng: I'm misplaced
• Kniom mìn mean prak té : I don’t have money
• Teï tlaï ponmân? : How much does it cost?
• Kniom mïn yuol neak té : I don't understand you.

4. Useful expressions at the restaurant

• Knyom Klean: I’m hungry/I’m thirsty
• Niang bai: Bon appetite
• Chloy moy! : Cheers!
• Chnaing: It was delicious!
• Ter neak yol yang mech der? : What do you recommend?
• Nham bous : I'm a vegetarian.
• Min Hel, Min Yok Mtes: No spice! (I don’t like spices)
• Kdauw! : It's too hot!
• Knyom alaessy : I'm allergic.
• Khnom Chorng: I wish
• Som caut loy : The addition, please

5. Typical expressions

Learning Khmer is also familiar with some typical expressions of the country.

• Chos teuk krorper leung ler klah : Choose between plague and cholera.
• Chak teuk ler kbal tea : It's like pissing in a violin.
• Chma min nov kondol leung reachh : When the cat is not there, the mice dance.
• Sloïkchheu cruh mincserved piikʊ∀l : Dogs don't make cats.

How to learn other expressions and vocabulary in Khmer?

Learning is about the time, but you have to remember. To remember, you have to practice. And to practice Khmer language without congestion, here is a selection of some books that will help you in your approach.

• 1001+ Basic English Expressions – Khmer
• French-Khmer dictionary
• Superpack khmer

Now you're ready to learn Khmer and become bilingual! Saum saamnangol Good luck!