Essential Khmer phrases

The words that make your first weeks in Phnom Penh smoother — with pronunciation you can actually say.

Greetings

ជំរាបសួរ
chum-riap-suor
Hello (formal, with the sampeah)
សួស្តី
suo-sdei
Hi (casual)
អរគុណ
aw-kun
Thank you

Social

បាទ / ចាស
baat (m) / jaa (f)
Yes / I'm listening (polite particle)

Daily life

សុំទោស
som-toh
Sorry / excuse me
ថ្លៃណាស់
thlai nas
That's too expensive
ប៉ុន្មាន
pon-maan
How much?
បង្គន់នៅឯណា
bong-kun nov ae-naa
Where is the toilet?

Food

ឆ្ងាញ់
chnganh
Delicious
គិតលុយ
kit luy
The bill, please

Emergency

ជួយផង
chuoy phong
Help!

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