Khmer is the official language of Cambodia, spoken by around 16 million people. A non-tonal Mon-Khmer language, it is written in the longest Brahmic alphabet in the world and carries the Angkorian heritage. With this kit, you have the basics to greet, eat and find your way from Phnom Penh to the temples of Angkor.
Khmer is the official language of Cambodia, spoken by around 16 million people. It belongs to the Austroasiatic family, Mon-Khmer branch, and stands out from its Thai, Lao or Vietnamese neighbours by being non-tonal. This often makes it more accessible to French speakers, who do not have to wrestle with pitch variations.
Khmer is written in a Brahmic alphabet of Indian origin, derived from the southern Indian Pallava script, inherited from the Angkorian empire. This alphabet holds the record for the largest number of letters in the world: around 74 characters including consonants, dependent and independent vowels, and diacritical marks. Reading requires specific learning, but the spoken language remains widely accessible. Grammar is analytic, with no conjugation or agreement: words do not change, meaning is built through word order and the addition of particles for tense, number or politeness.
The language reflects a society deeply marked by Theravada Buddhism, respect for elders and monks, and an Angkorian heritage still alive in literature, classical apsara dance and architecture. The country is also rebuilding after the trauma of the Khmer Rouge (1975-1979), and culture is reborn brilliantly: a renascent cinema, unique pop music blending 1960s rock with contemporary sounds. This kit gathers the essentials to greet, ask for directions, order a meal, handle an emergency and take leave respectfully. Memorize these phrases before leaving and you will be welcomed with the warm smile that gives Cambodia its reputation, from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land in Phnom Penh in the mid-afternoon. The tropical heat welcomes you as soon as you step off the plane. You greet the immigration officer with a respectful "sampeah", say hello in the formal way and thank him when he hands back your passport.
You hop into a tuk-tuk to reach your accommodation. You tell the driver the house where you are staying, the room you have booked, the exact street and the market you want to see along the way. The driver nods and starts the engine.
You sit down in a small neighbourhood restaurant in the early evening. The waitress hands you a laminated menu. You order ice-cold water, coconut milk, a large bowl of cooked rice and a portion of uncooked rice to take away.
You feel unwell after a day in the temples of Angkor. At the pharmacy in Siem Reap, you point to your spinning head, tired eyes, ringing ears and dry mouth. The pharmacist nods and prepares a small bag for you.
On the morning of departure, your hosts walk you to the tuk-tuk. You thank them warmly with an "aakun chraen", reply "baat" or "chaa" depending on your gender when they suggest one last photo, and end with a polite "no" for the takeaway coffee.
What you need to know before travelling to a khmer-speaking country.
The "sampeah", palms joined at chest level and a slight bow, is the traditional greeting. The height of the hands varies with respect: chest for an equal, mouth for a superior, forehead for a monk or member of the royal family.
Khmer distinguishes "yes" by the speaker's sex: a man says "baat", a woman says "chaa". This rule may surprise at first, but is very important to respect.
Remove your shoes before entering a home, a temple or some shops. This rule is strict in all religious sites. Check whether there are shoes lined up at the entrance.
The head is considered the most sacred part of the body, the feet the most impure. Never touch anyone's head, and never point your feet at a person or a Buddha statue.
In Cambodia, meals are often shared dishes at the centre of the table, eaten with a spoon and fork (the fork pushes, the spoon carries to the mouth). Chopsticks are reserved for noodles and soups.
Buddhist monks are highly respected. Women must not touch their hand nor hand them an object directly: place the item on a surface or cloth so they can pick it up.
Bargaining is usual in markets like Phnom Penh's Psar Tuol Tom Poung or the Angkor market. Stay smiling, start at half the asked price and negotiate up to about two thirds.
The topic of the Khmer Rouge and the genocide remains very sensitive. Many Cambodians lost loved ones. If it comes up, listen respectfully and avoid quick judgements or intrusive questions.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Ot
not, no
Som tos
sorry, excuse me
Sok sabbay
I'm fine
Soum
please
Soum svaakum
welcome
Chea
to be
Mean
to have
Tov
to go
Mok
to come
Nyam
to eat
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
No credit card. One-click unsubscribe. GDPR compliant.
Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
All Targumi resources for this language.
Assess your CEFR level in 5 minutes.
Films, music, traditions. How well do you know?
Guides, methods and tips to progress.
Essential words and phrases organised by themes.
Films, series, podcasts and music to immerse yourself.
Live classes with a bilingual native teacher. First lessons free.
The kit is just the start. To really speak the language, join a live class with a native teacher. Small groups, real feedback, fast progress.
30-day money-back guarantee, native teachers