Cambodian Language Basics

Traveling to Cambodia? Here are some phrases to help you started communicating effectively with the locals. For more extensive language practice, visit sites such as Learn Khmer, My Languages, or the Cambodia Tourism website.

General Greetings

  • Hello: Chom-reab-sua (*roll the r in reab)
  • How are you?: Da-nay-ak sok-suh-bye-day?
  • My name is …: Kuh-nyum chu-mwa…
  • I am … years old: Kuh-nyum i-ju …
  • Thank you: Ah-koon
  • Excuse me!: ow-doe!
  • Goodbye: Chom-reab-rea (* the r in rea is a r and l sound mixed together)

Shopping

  • Shop/Market: psah
  • How much is it?: Ta-vea tlie bon-mon
  • Expensive: ohhh ta-lai naah
  • This: niis
  • That: nok
  • There: ti-noh

$1 = 4,000 riel

Numbers

1 – muoy
2 – pbe
3 – bi (i as in ice)
4 – bo-oon
5 – pram (*roll the r)
6 – pram muoy
7 – pram pbe
8 – prom bi
9 – pram bo-oon
10 – dop
50 – ha sub
100 – muoy roy
500 – pram roy
1000 – mouy puant