'''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