The prospect of picking up such an uncommon language from scratch upon arriving in Cambodia may seem like a mountain, and leave you feeling apprehensive. To ease your nerves, here is a brief guide (with Khmer words written in a familiar alphabet) to get you started.
Hello (formal) - Johm Riab Sua
Hello (informal) - Sua s’dei
How are you? - Sohk sabbye tey?
I’m fine - Khnyohm sohk sabbye
Excuse me - Som toh
Sorry - Ot toh
Yes - Baat (used by men), Jaa (used by women)
No - Ot yet
Thank you - Ahr coon
Do you speak English? -Ta neah nieh yey anglay?
Do you have…?-Ta neah mean…?
How much..? (Price)- Tlai bon mahn?
Have - meanh
Go - tau
See - keunj
Buy - teng
Eat - njahm
Understand - yol
Speak - nieht yey
Want - djong
Hot - k'dau
Cold - troh chey
Beautiful - s’aat
Big - tom
Small - toit
Happy - sabbye
Hungry - klearn
Thirsty - srea dtuhk
Taxi -Ta-xi
Bus - laan krong
Drink - puc
Water - dtuhk
Food - mahobe
Restaurant - resturawn
Hotel - ohtel
Room - samruhp
TV - tou-ra-tour
Straight - trong
Left - chaweng
Right - s’dam