'''Khmer''' is the main and official language of Cambodia.
Pronunciation guide
Knowing a few Khmer words, while unnecessary, will help you earn some respect while in Cambodia.
If you are male the word for 'yes' is pronounced 'baht' as in the sound of a sheep followed by a hard T.
If you are female the word for 'yes' is pronounced 'jah' as in the first part of 'jar'.
The word for 'no' is pronounced 'otDay' with a short 'ot with an emphasis on the D following.
The word for 'thank you' is pronounced 'awkunh' sounds a little like raccoon.
To express greater thanks (thank you very much), use the word 'awkunh ch'ran'.
The word for 'hello' is pronounced 'sue-saw-day' with sue as in a woman's name, saw as in a thing you cut with, and day as in sunday.
The word for 'sorry' is pronounced 'somtoh'.
The word for 'toilet' is pronounced 'dakuhn' or 'pahkuhn' Similarly to how you would pronounce the kunh in thank you, but with a short 'ba' in front.
Scooter/mopeds with carriages pulled behind are called a 'tuk-tuk' better pronounced with the U sound from the back of your throat, like tulk-tulk.
Scooter/mopeds by themselves are pronounced 'moto' with an emphasis on 'mo'.
Rickshaws are called 'cyclo'. The cy is pronounced like the word see.
Vowels
Consonants
Common diphthongs
Phrase list
Basics
; Hello. : . (''Chum riep sueh'')
; Hello. (''informal'') : . (''sues dei'')
; How are you? : ? (''sok sabbai te?'')
; Fine, thank you. : . (''la'or, arkhun'')
; What is your name? : ? (''Lok chmuah ey?'')
; My name is ______ . : ______ . (''Knyom chmuah _____ .'')
; Nice to meet you. : . ('' '')
; Please. : . (''Soum'')
; Thank you. : . (''Aw khun'')
; You're welcome. : . (''Muhn ay te'' or ''Unjuhn'')
; Yes. : . (''ja'' female) (''baaht'' men)
; No. : . (''ot te'')
; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : . (''soum doh'')
; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'') : . (''soum doh'')
; I'm sorry. : . (''soum doh'')
; Goodbye : . (''chum riep leah'')
; Goodbye (''informal'') : . (''leah sen heuy'')
; I can't speak ''name of language'' [well]. : [ ]. (''khnyom ot seu cheh niyeay pia'saa khmae te'')
; Do you speak English? : ? (''Cheh niyeay pia'saa Anglais baan te?'')
; Is there someone here who speaks English? : ? (''Mean neak nass cheh Anglais te?'')
; Help! : ! (''Chouay!'')
; Look out! : ! (''Moul sen!'')
; Good morning. : . (''arun sour sdei '')
; Good afternoon. : . (''tiveah sour sdei '')
; Good evening. : . ('' '')
; Good night. : . (''reah-trey sour sdei '')
; Good night (''to sleep'') : . ('' '')
; I don't understand. : . (''Min yul dtey'')
; Where is the toilet? : ? (''Bangkun now ey nah?'')
Problems
Numbers
Although Khmer uses base-10 numbers, the numbers for 1-9 are effectively spoken as base-5. Thus, six (bpram mouy) literally means five (bpram), one (mouy); whereas sixteen (dop bpram mouy) is ten (dop), five (bprum), one (mouy).
In practice, the word 'sep' is often omitted from the numbers for 30-90. However, it is generally considered more proper to include the word.
; 0 : ? (''soun'')
; 1 : ? (''mouy'')
; 2 : ? (''pii'')
; 3 : ? (''bey'')
; 4 : ? (''bourn'')
; 5 : ? (''pbram'')
; 6 : ? (''pbram muoy'')
; 7 : ? (''pbram pii'')
; 8 : ? (''pbram bey'')
; 9 : ? (''pbram bourn'')
; 10 : ?? (''dop'')
:20 = m'pai
:30 = sam sep
:40 = sae sep
:50 = ha sep
:60 = hok sep
:70 = chet sep
:80 = bpet sep
:90 = gow sep
:100 = mouy roy (or m'roy)
:1000 = mouy poan (or m'poan)
:10,000 = mouy meun (or m'meun)
:100,000 = mouy sen (or m'sen)
Time
:Time = Moung
Clock time
:What time is it? = Moung bon maan?
:Moung mouy tngai (day) = 1 pm
:Moung mouy yup (night) = 1 am
Duration
:Hour = moung
:Minute = natii
Days
:Day = tngai (????)
:One day = mouy tngai (? ????)
:Monday = Chunn (?????)
:Tueday = Onkear (??????)
:Wednesday = Pourt (???)
:Thursday = Pror-hoah (????????????)
:Friday = Sok (?????)
:Saturday = Sau (????)
:Sunday = A-dtut (???????)
Months
:Month = Khae
Year
:Year = Chnam
Writing time and date
Year - Chnam
Colors
:Red- Ga'Hom
:Blue- Kiew
:Yellow- Leung
:White- Saw
:Black- Kmao
:Green- BeyDong
:Orange- Kruoit
:Pink- Pikah-Chook
Transportation
:Ride = Cheeh
Bus and train
:Train = Ah-teh-plung
Directions
:Right = st-daam
:Left = ch-veng
Taxi
Accommodation
Money
:Money- Loii
Eating
Ngam
(to eat)
mahop
(food)
Baii
(rice)
Bars
Shopping
ne ke ghtu
Driving
baaww (to direct)
laan (car)
Authority