Essential Khmer Phrases for Your Trip to Cambodia
In the first post, we talked about Hello and Goodbye, as well as Cambodian greetings. In this post, we are going to explore words commonly used in everyday situations, such as market shopping and simple communication, keeping everything nice and simple.
I used the word Khmer instead of Cambodian language in the first post. You might have wondered about this word if you are hearing it for the first time or have only been in Cambodia for a couple of days. Khmer is the word that Cambodian people call themselves, and it refers to both the language and the people of Cambodia.
Ot Te Orkun / No Thanks
Ot Te Orkun means "I am good thanks" or "No thank you". When travelling, people want to relax and feel free. When you are in Cambodia, you might occasionally feel overwhelmed by tuk-tuk drivers offering rides. To say no politely and effectively so they understand, saying it in Khmer works wonders. They will realize you are familiar with the area—often foreigners living in Cambodia have their own transport. The formal sentence for this is "Nhom min trov ka te orkun", but knowing the short version is plenty to get by!
Tlai Ponman / How much, Thlai Nas / Too Expensive
No matter how long you stay in Cambodia, exploring local markets is one of the best holiday activities. When you enter a market, you will be welcomed by the warm smiles of vendors. Starting a conversation is easy—saying Soksabay is a great way to kick things off!
When you want to purchase something, knowing the cost is essential. Thlai Ponman means "How much is it?" and Thlai Nas means "It is too expensive." A little friendly bargaining is fine, but if an item costs less than $2, it is usually best to accept the price without bargaining. Keep in mind that many local vendors earn modest incomes, so haggling over fifty cents or a dollar means much more to them than it does to you. You can also use these phrases when paying for a meal or tuk-tuk ride. Remember, $1 is roughly equal to 4,000 Riel in Cambodian currency.
Chong Tov / Want To Go
Getting around is much easier when you can state your destination in Khmer. You can check Google Maps for the location name and combine it with Chong Tov (want to go), such as Chong tov P'sa Nat or Chong Tov Angkor Wat. While many people in Cambodia speak English, the bigger challenge is often understanding local directions!
Breaking down the phrasing: Chong means "I want" and Tov means "Go".
- Eat / Nham: Chong Nham (I want to eat)
- Buy / Tinh: Chong Tinh (I want to buy)
- Rent bike / Chul Kong: Chong Chul Kong (I want to rent a bike)
Bat, Ja / Yes
Saying yes in conversation is simple, though it depends on the speaker's gender. Men say Bat for yes, and women say Ja for yes.
Changanh / Delicious
Many travelers are curious about Cambodian food and love trying local dishes. To express your appreciation to the server, Delicious in Khmer is Changanh. Try saying Changanh to your waiter or waitress and watch their reaction—locals are always delighted when visitors speak Khmer!
In Khmer culture, dining is approached with respect and politeness. People typically do not talk loudly during meals. Younger people wait for elders to eat first, and it is customary not to eat alone if companions are present without offering food to them first, even if you know they will decline.
Chul Muy / Cheers
Raising a glass is a universal tradition, and hearing cheers in different languages is always fascinating—from the English "Cheers" and French "Santé" to the Chinese "Ganbei". In Cambodia, people say Chul Muy when sharing a drink at a gathering. It is used when drinking beer or wine together as a group, where everyone takes a sip together.
Working as a guide has taught me so much about different cultures and the importance of respecting local traditions. I hope you enjoy this guide! Feel free to share it with fellow travelers, and if you would like to learn more Khmer words, reach out through the Soksabike Facebook page or website.
