The Cambodian Language, also called Khmer, is thought to be one of the oldest languages in South East Asia. The written Khmer script looks beautiful and has ancient origins, it is related to the ancient Brahmi script from India. Very old Khmer inscriptions have been found dating from around the 7th century.

Khmer is a non tonal language, but it is still impossibly difficult for English speakers to master the pronunciation of Khmer vowels and consonant sounds which are simply not used in English.

Did you know Khmer has the longest alphabet in the world?
Khmer alphabet has 74 letters compared to 26 in English. Khmer has 33 consonants, some of them in tongue twisting combinations, and 24 vowels and diphthongs.

While you are in Cambodia you can buy a pretty cool t-shirt with the letters of the Khmer alphabet- the consonants on one side and the vowels on the other.

It is not necessary for travelers to know any of the local language, as most Cambodians working in the tourism industry know at least a little English.

Cambodians do not expect you to know any of their language, so they will certainly be impressed and supportive if you try a few Khmer words, even if your pronunciation is terrible.

Basic Khmer Phrases

how to say hello
in Cambodia… sua s’dei

or… johm riab sua

thank you…aw kohn

yes… jaa (used by women)

yes… baat (used by men)

goodbye… lia suhn hao-y

you’re welcome… awt ei te / sohm anjoe-in

please… sohm

how are you?… niak sohk
sabaay te?

how much?… nih th’lay pohnmaan?

where is_?…. _neuv ai naa?

This entry was posted on Friday, February 27th, 2009 at 2:58 am and is filed under Cambodian Language. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.