When traveling to another country, it’s always a good idea to learn a bit of the language. Most Cambodians in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampot, and Koh Rong Samloem speak at least a bit of English, but that doesn’t mean you should always revert to your native tongue. Attempting to speak the language will show the locals that you appreciate their culture and will mostly likely evoke plenty of smiles and laughs. We know it’s overwhelming learning so many different languages while traveling around Southeast Asia, so we’ve translated the most useful phrases from English to Khmer. So take a few minutes to learn a bit of Cambodian (or bookmark for later use!) so you’re ready to order a beer or direct a tuk-tuk once you’ve landed in the Kingdom of Wonder.
English to Khmer:
A Few Tips
The official language of Cambodia is called Khmer, pronounced “Khe-my”. Even though the Khmer script might look like hieroglyphics, the language is relatively easy to pick up because there aren’t a ton of grammar rules or tones. There are many different ways to say these phrases (depending on who you’re talking to), so these will be mostly informal expressions that are most commonly used. As in any language, adding “please” will make whatever you’re saying more polite!
English to Khmer:
Phonetics
Because you probably don’t have time to learn the Khmer script, we’ve written the translations out phonetically.
Words written with…
- “uo”: this sound is in between a short u (like in “gun”) and a long o (like in “go”)
- “ai”: this sound is a long i (like “tie”) with a bit of a long e sound at the end
- “aa”: this sound is like the a in “father” but more drawn out
- “dt”: this sound is between a “d” and “t” sound
- “ch” and “j” are very similar, try to say it in between these two sounds
- the “r” is often rolled like in Spanish
- “Knyohm”, which means “I”, sounds kind of like “koon-yohm” but it’s said so quickly to where it’s only one syllable. You’ll obviously see this word in a lot of phrases!
English to Khmer:
The Basics
| Hello (formal) | Chom reap suor (it’s also good to bring your hands together and bow – the higher your hands, the more formal/respectful) |
| Hello (informal) | Soo sdai |
| How are you? | Suok suobai? (The inflection at the end is important!) |
| I’m fine | Suok suobai (The same as “How are you?” but without inflection!) |
| Goodbye | Lee hai |
| Yes | For males: Baat or Baa. For females: Chaa |
| No | Aw dteh |
| Thank you | Aw kuon |
| Thank you very much | Aw kuon cheh-rran |
|
Please |
Suom |
|
Sorry/Excuse me |
Suom dtoh |
|
I don’t understand |
Knyohm aht yohl |
|
I don’t know |
Knyohm aht duong |
|
Do you speak English? |
Tah nyek neeyay preesah ahng-lay tay? |
| Bathroom |
Bahn tuop tuk |
|
How much is this? |
Tlai puon maan? |
|
Expensive |
Tlai! |
|
What’s your name? |
Nyek chmua ai? |
|
My name is _____ |
Knyohm chmua _______ |
|
What time is it? |
Tahl maong puon maan? |
English to Khmer:
Restaurant Phrases
| Restaurant | Puo-ja-nee-tahn |
| Delicious | Chnang |
| Spicy | Haal |
| I am hungry | Knyohm klee-en |
| I am a vegetarian | Knyohm ot cheh nyam sach teh (literally, I’m not able to eat meat) |
| One water, please | Suom tuk muy |
| One beer, please |
Suom beer muy |
|
The check, please |
Suom ket loy |
English to Khmer:
Giving Directions
| Where is…? | … noh ai nah? |
| I want to go to… | Knyohm jang toh… |
| Go straight | Tao trahng |
| Turn left | Bot chwaing |
| Turn right | Bot sdam |
| Stop here, please | Suom chuop teenee |
| I’m lost | Knyohm vohng vang |
English to Khmer:
Dating/Romantic Phrases
| I am single | Khnohm aht mee-en suongsah |
| I have a boyfriend/girlfriend | Knyohm mee-en suongsah |
| I’m married | Knyohm reap kah |
| What’s your number? | Tahl too-roh-sahp nyek leh puon maan? |
| You are beautiful | Nyek saat |
| I love you | Knyohm sra laing nyek (gender-neutral). If you are addressing a male: Knyohm sralaing bahng. If you are addressing a female: Knyohm sralaing ahwn. |
| I miss you | Knyohm nuok nyek |
| Term of endearment for a male | bahng (sohm laim) |
| Term of endearment for a female | ahwn (sohm laim) |
Want a few more Khmer tips?
Then watch this video!
More English to Khmer Resources
Did this article get you excited to learn Khmer? If you’re heading to Cambodia soon or already here, check out these articles and you’ll be speaking basic Khmer in no time!
- Basic Khmer for Travellers: Essential Phrases You Need to Know by Becky Rogers from Adventure in You
- 12 Useful Khmer Phrases For Traveling in Cambodia by Marissa Carruthers from The Culture Trip
- Cambodia: Useful Phrases in Khmer from Insight Guide
- Cambodia Travel Guide: Khmer Phrasebook from World Interpreting
- 6 Reasons to Bother Learning Khmer from Move to Cambodia
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