Useful Khmer Words & Phrases For Travelling in Cambodia

Khemer is general a lot easier to learn than other languages in Asia like Thai or Vietnamese due to the tones and easier pronunciation. If you are planning to travel, work, study or volunteer in Cambodia you really should make the effort to learn the language. Local people will also be really impressed if you make the effort to speak to them in their own language.

Check out our essential Khmer phrases to use when travelling in Cambodia below.

Greetings

Hello (formal) - Choum Reap Sue
Hello (informal) - Sues'day
How are you? - Ta neak soksabay teh?
I’m fine thanks - Khnyom soksabay awkuhn
Good bye - Lea hay
See you soon - Choub knea chhab chhab

Basics

Yes - Bat (men) / Chaas (women)
No - Teh
I don’t understand - Khnom men yol teh
Excuse me / Sorry - Som tos
Thank you - Awkuhn

Conversational

What is your name? - Ta neak chhmos ey?
My name is... - Khnom chhmos...
Where are you from? - Tar neak mok pi protes na?
I’m from ... - Khnom mok pi prates...
How old are you? - Tar neak ayu bun man?

Time

Time - Moung
What time is it? - Moung bon maan?
Minute - Natii
Day - T’ngai
Week - Aa-dteut
Month - Kai
Year - Ch’nam
Yesterday - M’serl-meign
Tomorrow - Sa-aik
Last week - Aa-dteut moohn
Next week - Aa-dteut grao-ee
Morning - Bpayl-bpreuk
Afternoon - Roh-see-ul
Evening - Bpayl l’ngee-ij
Night - Bpayl yuhp
Tonight - Yuhp-nih

Useful Verbs

Like - Joal-jet
Speak - Nee-yay
Eat - N’yam / pbi-saa / hoap
Drink - Peuk
Sick - Cheu
Help - Joo-ay

Food & Drink

Restaurant - Haang bai
I would like - K’nyom jang baan ...
Water - Soht
Ice - Dteuk kok
Plate - Jahndtiap
Glass - Kaehu
Beer - Bia
Tea - Dtae
Coffee - Kahfeh
Milk - Dteuk daco
Sugar - Sko
Rice - Bai
Chicken - Moan
Fish - Dt’ray
Beef - Saich koh
Pork - Saich jruk
Bread - Nom-pang
Egg - Bporng
Butter - Beu
Cheese - Froh-mah

Directions & Getting Around

Where is…..? - Nov er na?
I want to go to - K’nyom jong dtao
Tourist office - Gah-ree-ah-lai dtay-sa-jor

Accommodation

You will find most accommodation staff will be able to converse in English especially in tourism hotspots like Phnom Penh and Siem Riep. These words and phrases will come in handy though: