Speaking Khmer
The Cambodia language, or Khmer as it is known, is spoken by nearly 2/3 of the population. The remainder of the Cambodian population will speak local minority dialects although in many cases some members of these communities will speak some basic Khmer.
Khmer is understood by many people from the bordering countries of Laos and Vietnam - this is due in part to the shared faith in Theravada Buddhism as well as many centuries of cultural interaction.
English is fast becoming the favoured second language within Cambodia despite its French colonial past; however you will find that many day-to-day items still retain their French names to this day. You will also find a basic grounding in French to be very useful as many of the older generations will have studied French whilst at school.
The following is a phonetic translation.
(m) - when spoken by male
(f) - when spoken by female
English |
Cambodia |
Hello |
Johm riab sua |
Goodbye |
Lia suhn hao-y |
Yes |
Baat (m)
jaa (f) |
No |
te |
Please |
Sohm |
Thank you |
Aw kohn |
I do not understand |
Kh'nyhom muhn yuhl te |
|
….kh'mai tha mait? |
I am from |
Khnyohm mao pii |
England |
Prateh Awn gle |
Europe |
Oerohp |
Australia |
Prateh Owstraalii |
USA |
Prateh Saharawt khaang Amerik |
Canada |
Prateh Caanaadaa |
My name is |
Kh'nyohm ch'muah |
What is your name? |
Niak ch'muah ei? |