Conversing with Khmers

Here’s one question I am often asked by my family and friends back home and also some blog readers who email me. “Is it hard to converse with Khmers in English? Do I have to learn Khmer language when visiting or if I live there?

My answer to the first question is.. No it’s not. I actually find it easy to converse with Khmers in English. Yes, they do have an accent when they speak, but most people do anyway. Even in the Philippines, though a lot of people are considered fluent in English but the regional dialects and accents still come in. It’s the same way here. Remember, English is not their native language and also  not all can speak English but those who can are generally easy enough to understand.

For a new expat or a Phnom Penh visitor, it may take a little adjustment. I must admit I had to train myself to listen well and if I really can’t understand then I just politely ask them to repeat what they said. When I first visited Cambodia in 2004 I found it a bit hard to look for people to talk to in English but now its a great thing that most youngsters can converse in English. Even some tuk-tuk and motodup drivers knows some basic English.

It also helps to be polite and understanding of other peoples English and grammar errors. I, for one is not super fluent in English, and that doesn’t give me the right to be critical of how others speak in English. Never, never laugh at someone’s speaking flaws and that applies to all settings, in any place. Here’s what I always remind myself of..Everyone makes mistakes, and you will find it more enjoyable to just let go of your inhibitions and connect with them. Do not be too rigid and place too high expectations on their English usage. Just go with the flow, so to speak.

On the second question, Do I have to learn Khmer when visiting or I live there? My answer, it depends. If you’re visiting, you can get by without learning any Khmer although knowing even just the very Basic Khmer will go a really long way. At the very least you need to know how to say hello (“jum reap sour”), thank you (“ow-kohn”).Check out my previous post for some more phrases..

If you’re living here, then I would say its essential to know more than the basics. For one, you will need to get around and if you plan to take moto-dups or tuktuks its much easier to tell them where to go if you know some Khmer. Another reason is that it give syou more haggling power during your regular market hopping jaunts so brush up on your Khmer numbers and amounts. Third, you can learn more about the Khmer culture and can have more local friends if you know Khmer. And those are my reasons why I’m trying hard to be at least conversant in Khmer language. For now, I know the very basics, counting and numbers (most!) and I know a lot of kids playing terms courtesy of my daughter.

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Khmer Language: Counting and Amounts the Cambodian Way..

I’ve been amiss writing posts about learning the Khmer language. Truth is, I haven’t progressed that much but I can now (though I’m hardly an expert yet) get a ride on a motodup, bargain in wet markets..

I’ve been trying hard to learn some basic Khmer so I could get around and I decided to share this to everyone. So learn with me Aside from the basic greetings and form of addresses (see my previous post – Basic Khmer Language for the Traveler) , I believe its a must for any expat living here in Cambodia to learn about the numbers, amounts and their counting system. Why?

• Majority of the streets in Phnom Penh are in numbers. So if you want to be more mobile or you want to easily learn your way around, then first learn the numbers. Check out Canby Publications map and you’ll get what I mean.
• Yes, there are plenty of supermarkets now where prices of goods are tagged in dollars and you don’t need to haggle but all markets and some restaurants quote their prices in Khmer. I’m sure you don’t want to miss the opportunity to haggle and score bargains.

** Note that these are just approximate ‘English’ translations so we can get the closest sounds to Khmer words. These are less than perfect so to improve pronunciation and to get ourselves easily understood, its best to listen well to Khmer native speakers and practice..

• 1  -   muuy
• 2  -   pii
• 3  -   bai
• 4  -   buhn
• 5  -   phrum
• 6  -   phrum muuy
• 7  -   phrum pii
• 8  -   phrum bai
• 9  -   phrum buhn
• 10 – dop
• 11 – dop muuy
• 15 – dop phrum
• 16 – dop phrum muuy
• 20 – m’pai
• 21 – mpai muuy
• 30 – saam-suhp
• 40 – sai-suhp
• 50 – haa-suhp
• 60 – hok-suhp
• 70 – jeut-suhp
• 80 – paet-suhp
• 90 – kau-suhp
• 100 – muuy roy (* hundreds use ‘roy‘)
• 101 – muuy roy muuy
• 200 – pii roy
• 1000 – muy puan (thousands use ‘puan‘)
• 1,000,000 – muuy lian (millions use ‘lian‘)

Tips:

• Cambodians count in increments of five. After you reach the number 5 (phrum), you just then add one to five (phrum muy for 6) and so on. When you reach 10 (dop) , the cycle begins again by adding one (dop muy for 11).
• You will also often encounter some Khmers who reverses the orders of the numbers especially for numbers between 10-20 and they usually insert dun between the numbers. Example, for 12 – instead of saying dop pii, they usually say pii dun dop.
• Khmers usually also use shortcuts like instead of saying ‘muuy roy‘ for 1,000 they would say ‘ma’puan‘..
• The trick is to listen well. If you simply don’t get it, you can ask them to speak slowly, say ‘Sohm, niyeay yeut yeut..’

Phnom Penh Fun Finds: There’s a Mine!

Cambodia is the Land of Mines.. See I saw this sign in an internet shop here in Phnom Penh..

Lol! The ceiling was low and the sign was just a kind warning. I’ve now decided to be on the constant lookout for funny signs like this, uniquely Khmer!

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Basic Khmer Language for the Traveler

The Khmer (or Cambodian) language is the official language of Cambodia and it is spoken by majority of Khmers. Though English is fast becoming the second language specially of younger Khmers, it is still great if those taking Cambodia vacations know a little of Khmer. It’s a great help in learning and gaining more understanding of Cambodia culture. This is particularly helpful if you are traveling independently and it goes a long way when you are bargaining in the markets.

A little intro: The Khmer language has 33 consonants and about 24 vowels and diphthongs. The Khmers have also retained French pronunciation of the Roman alphabet and of some words. When it comes to grammar, the language is quite simple. Adding a few words can make a sentence tense to past, present or future.

Learning the language can be a bit tricky and difficult but a little Khmer will really go a long way. The Khmers just love it when foreigners show the effort to speak in their language. Here’s some basics for every Cambodian visitor:

Greetings and other Basics:

Hello – jum reap sour (formal) | sua s’dei (casual)
Goodbye – jum reap lear (formal) | lia suhn hao-y
See you later – juab kh’nia | th’ngay krao-y
Thank you – ow-kohn | ow-kohn charan
You’re welcome – awt ei te | sohn anjoe-in
Excuse me / I’m Sorry – sohm-toh
Yes – baat (for men) | jaa (for women)

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