I have not updated this website in a long time, and have been teaching a lot. I recently hired another teacher to go along with me, so I should have more time to try to update the website and to create new content like videos to help learn the Khmer alphabet, vocabulary sheets like I did in the past, and also some Khmer conversations for advanced learners.
Here is a simple story I wrote in Khmer, that should be easy to translate for beginners. The vocab focus’ on parts of the body. I am going to list ten words before the story to help give a refresher on some of the words that appear in the story.
Friend – ពួកម៉ាក [Puk-mak]
Age – អាយុ [ara-yu]
Height – កំពស់ [ gom-bpuah]
Weight – ទម្ងន់ [dtom-ngon]
Most , Greatest – ជាងគេ [jiang-ge]
Thin – ស្តើង [sdaung]
Skinny – ស្គម [sgoom]
More,Greater – ជាង [jiang]
Rental – ជួួល [jewel]
Explain – ពន្យល់ [bpon-yul]
Homework – កិច្ចការសាលា [kech-kaa-sa-la]
lazy – ខ្ជិល [kjil]
Poor – ក្រ [graaw]
Rich – មាន [mian]
Standard of living – ជីវភាព [jii-vbpiab]
Love – ស្រលាញ់ [sro-lanh]
ខ្ញុំមានពួកម៉ាកពីរនាក់ បូផា និងសុភាព។ យើងមានអាយុដូចគ្នា ប៉ុន្តែ កំពស់និង ទម្ងន់ខុស
គ្នា។ បូផា កំពស់ មួយម៉ែត្រហុកសិប ចំនែកសុភាពមានកំពស់មួយម៉ែត្រហុកសិបប្រាំ និង ខ្ញុំ
មានកំពស់ មួយម៉ែត្រហាសិបប្រាំមួួយ ដូច្នេះសុភាពខ្ពស់ជាងគេ ប៉ុន្តែគាត់ស្តើង និង ស្គម។ បូ
ផាមានកំពស់ទាបជាងសុភាពបន្តិច ប៉ុន្តែគាត់ធាត់ និងមានទម្ងន់ធ្ងន់ជាងគេ។
យើងទាំងបីស្គាល់គ្នា បីឆ្នាំហើយ នៅសកលវិទ្យាល័យ និងជួលផ្ទះជាមួយគ្នា ដោយសារមកពីខេត្តដូចគ្នា ។
យើង យកចិត្តទុកដាក់រៀននៅសាលា និងស្តាប់គ្រូពន្យល់។ នៅពេលថ្នាក់រៀនចប់ យើងដើរ
មកផ្ទះជាមួយគ្នា និយាយគ្នាលង និងធ្វើកិច្ចការសាលាជាមួយគ្នា ។ ដោយសារយើងនៅផ្ទះតែមួយ
ដូច្នេះយើងជួយធ្វើការងារផ្ទះគ្នា ដូចជា លាងចាន បោកខោអាវ សំអាតផ្ទះ …..
ប៉ុន្តែពេលខ្លះសុភាពខ្ជិលអត់ចង់ធ្វើអ្វីទេ គាត់ចូលចិត្តមើលទូរទស្សន៍ និងគេងច្រើន។
គ្រួសារបូផាក្រ ប៉ុន្តែគ្រួសាររបស់សុភាពមានណាស់។ ទោះបីយើងមានជីវភាពខុស
គ្នា ប៉ុន្តែយើងនៅតែស្រលាញ់គ្នា ដូច បងប្អូន។
I have two friends named Bopah and Sopeap. We are all the same age, but the height and weight are different. Bopah’s is 160 centimeters tall. Sopeap is 165 centimeters tall, and I am 156 centimeters tall. So Sopeap is the tallest, but she is thin and skinny. Bopah is shorter then sopeap a little bit, but she is fat and heaviest.
The three of us have known each other for three years at university. Also ,we rent a house together because we come from the same province. We pay attention at school, and listen to the teacher. When we finish class, we walk home together while talking with each other. We also do homework together.
Because we stay at the same house, we have housework together such as: wash the dishes, do laundry, clean the house, etc. But sometimes Sopeap is lazy and doesn’t want to do anything. She likes to watch television, eat a lot and sleep a lot. Bopah’s family is poor, but Sopeap’s family is very rich. Even we have difference in standard of livings, we still love each other like siblings.
This lesson comes from my intermediate book, Learn Khmer Now. The chapter starts off with a vocabulary list with some important Cambodian transportation words. The Khmer words are written in a romanization script which is not perfect, and then there is the perfect Khmer script.
Then after the vocabulary list there are mini conversations. Most words have already been introduced, but there are a few new words. After that there is a quick multiple choice section and matching. Then matching the picture to the Khmer word, and then writing English to Khmer or Cambodian to English. Finally there is a section for those that can read Khmer script. I hope you enjoy this chapter from my book. Feel free to share on facebook!
| Jor-raa-jor ចរាចរ | traffic |
| Stias-jor-raa-jor ស្ទះចរាចរ | traffic jam |
| Plaung-jor-raa-jor ភ្លើងចរាចរ | traffic light |
| Juas-jul ជួសជុល | repair |
| Dtro-lop-kaoy ត្រឡប់ក្រោយ | turn back |
| Duam-plov តាមផ្លូវ | on the way |
| Som-bot សំបុត្រ | ticket |
| Dtii-nih ទីនេះ | here |
| Dtii- nuh ទីនោះ | there |
| Bprau-bpeel-os-bon-maan?ប្រើពេលអស់ប៉ុន្មាន? | How long does it take? |
| Kon-laeng-jot-laan កន្លែងចតឡាន | car park |
| Bauk/bauk-bor បើក/បើកបរ | drive |
| Kon-laeng-naa-muay កន្លែងណាមួយ | somewhere |
| Kon-laeng-ong-kuy កន្លែងអង្គុយ | seat |
| Spian ស្ពាន | bridge |
| Bat បាត់ | lost |
| Knom-vwoong-vweeng haoy ខ្ញុំវង្វេងហើយ | I’m lost |
| Kon-sao កូនសោរ | key |
| Jaak-sao ចាក់សោរ | lock a door |
| Jong-iat ចង្អៀត | narrow (road) |
| Plov-kaang-kaoy ផ្លូវខាងក្រោយ | back street |
| Gum-roong / paen-kar គម្រោង/ផែនការ | plan |
| Plov-dtiang-os ផ្លូវទាំងអស់ | all the street |
| Kanh-jok កញ្ចក់ | mirror |
| Kau-ey-mok កៅអីមុខ | front seat |
| Kau-ey-kaoy កៅអីក្រោយ | back seat |
| Kos-plov ខុសផ្លូវ | wrong way |
| Jiay-krong ជាយក្រុង | suburb |
| Bpol-laan ពុលឡាន | car sick |
Srey Tol: How long does it take to your house?
ស្រី តូល ប្រើពេលអស់ប៉ុន្មានទៅផ្ទះអ្នក?
Bprau bpeel os bon-maan tov ptaeh nek?
Chan: If have traffic jam, it will take a long time. I really hate traffic jams.
ចាន់ ប្រសិន បើ ស្ទះចរាចរ វានឹងចំនាយពេលយូរ . ខ្ញុំ ស្អប់ ស្ទះចរាចរណាស់.
Bro-sen bau stias-jor-raa-jor, vwia neng jom-naay bpeel yoor. Knom saorb stias-jor-raa-jor nas.
Srey Tol: Me too….If traffic is bad, can go on back street.
ស្រីតូល ខ្ញុំដែរ…… ប្រសិនបើ ស្ទះចរាចរ អាចទៅតាមផ្លូវក្រោយ.
Knom del……bro-sen-bau stias-jo-rah-jo arch tov taam plov kraoy.
Chan: Yes, but the back streets are very narrow.
ចាន់ ចាស, ប៉ុន្តែ ផ្លូវក្រោយចង្អៀតណាស់.
Jaa, bun-dtee plov-kraoy jong-iat nas.
Lina: Where are you?
លីណា អ្នកនៅណា?
Nek nov naa?
Panuth: I am on the way, I went the wrong way at first.
ផានុត ខ្ញុំ នៅ តាមផ្លូវ ខ្ញុំ ទៅ ខុសផ្លូវ លើកដំបូង.
Knom nov dtaam-plov, knom tov kos plov lauk dom boong.
Lina: Sorry you go the wrong way.
លីណា សុំទោស ដែល អ្នក ទៅ ខុសផ្លូវ.
Som-dtoos del nek tov kos plov.
Panuth: It is okay. I did not see the bridge, and I don’t know the back streets in the suburb too.
ផានុត មិន អី ទេ. ខ្ញុំ មិន ឃើញស្ពាន ហើយខ្ញុំ ក៏ មិនស្គាល់ផ្លូវក្រោយនៅជាយក្រុងដែរ.
Min ey dtee. Knom min kaun spian hoy knom kor min sgoal plov kraoy nov jaiy-krong del.
Lina: Why not call me when you were lost?
លីណា ហេតុអ្វីមិន តេ មកខ្ញុំ នៅពេលអ្នកវង្វេងផ្លូវ?
Het a-wey min tee mok knom nov bpeel nek vwoong-vweeng plov?
Panuth: Because Ally get carsick and I had to help her and clean my seat.
ផានុត ពីព្រោះ អាលី ពុលឡាន ហើយ ខ្ញុំ ត្រូវ ជួយ នាង នឹង សំអាត កន្លែងអង្គុយ
Bpii bprua Ally bpol-laan hoy knom trov juay niang neng som-art kon-laeng-ong-kuy.
Lina: Sorry I can not help you.
លីណា សុំទោស មិនអាចជួយអ្នកបាន.
Som-dtoos min arch juay nek baan.
Chunn: It is okay because I am not lost now.
មិនអីទេ ពីព្រោះ ឥឡូវ នេះ ខ្ញុំ មិន វង្វេង ផ្លូវ ទេ
Min-ey-dtee bpii-bros ey-lov nih knom min vwoong-vweeng plov dtee .
Q: How is the traffic?
ចរាចរយ៉ាងម្តេចដែរ?
Jor-raa-jor yaang-mij del?
Chunn: Easy, but the traffic light is always red.
ងាយស្រួល ប៉ុន្តែ ភ្លើង ចរាចរ តែងតែ ពណ៌ក្រហម
Ngiay srol, Bun-dtee plaung-jor-raa-jor dtaeng-dtae poul kro-horm.
Q: I hate red lights.
ខ្ញុំ ស្អប់ ភ្លើង ពណ៌ក្រហមណាស់
Knom sa-orb plaung poul-kro-horm.
2. Bprau bpeel os bon maan? ប្រើពេលអស់ប៉ុន្មាន?
3.What does kon-sao mean in English?
ពាក្យ កូនសោរ ភាសាអង់គ្លេសមានន័យដូចម្តេច?
Bpiak kon-sau pbia-saa ong-glee mian nai doj mdej?
Please write or speak the Cambodian word under the picture it belongs to:
ស្ពាន កន្លែងចតឡាន ភ្លើងចរាចរ ស្ទះចរាចរ
SPIAN KON KAENG JOT LAAN PLAUNG JOR RAA JOR STIAS JOR RAA JOR
_____ ________________ _________________ ________________
All men and women always want to have prospective partners who understand and love each other. Wedding preparation is very important to confirm that both are now a couple and will take care of each other until death.
The wedding ceremony is very meaningful for each individual as it who follows their tradition and the laws of the country. In western countries, they have different weddings depending on local tradition, culture and religion. Cambodia also has different weddings depending on the family’s local tradition, culture, and religion too.
In the past, wedding cerebration lasted for 3 days. The bride (កូនក្រមុំ kon kro-mom) and groom (កូនកំលោះ kon kom-lous)cannot decide to choose someone that he or she loves by themselves. They only follow from their parents’ choice.
If both families have decided already, parents would then carefully find the best date for the wedding of their sons and daughters. This date is important as it brings good luck and harmony for the couple. Some families do not allow their children to marry in the rainy season and some delay it for two years after the engagement ceremony because the fortune teller (គ្រូទាយ groo dtiay) says to wait.
Presently, Khmer wedding ceremony is only celebrated for only one day and a half. The wedding ceremony generally is celebrated at the bride’s house. In the evening, the monks (ព្រះសង្ឃ prearh song) bless the bride and groom, while the parents, neighbors(អ្នកជិតខាង nek jiit kaang) and close friends watch.
After the blessing, they have to prepare 36 different kinds of fruits, meats, and, Khmer cakes (Nom Arn Sorm, Nom Korm, Nom Bort…). Also there will be a lot of different types of flowers on display. Early morning, the traditional Khmer songs will start to play.
The bride has two or three bridesmaids(អ្នកកំដរ nek kom dor) behind her, and she has to wait for the groom that will bring 36 fruits to her house. The wedding ceremony has many activities to complete such as:
Preah Thoung Taung Sbey Neang Neak, which is a Khmer scarf the bride wears and the groom has to hold up so it doesn’t touch the floor. The reason for this comes from a story about a dragon bride and the human male that has to hold on to the dragons scarf so they can be together.
Bach Juk Pley Cher, which is the ritual of the bride feeding fruit to the groom and then the groom feeding fruit to the bride. In the picture below shows bach juk pley cher but with a famous old Cambodian actor,
Kat Sork, is the process of close friends and family members that cut a small piece of hair from both the bride and groom.
In the evening, they will have a wonderful party at the bride’s house or a hall. At the hall the couple will sit at the front to welcome all incoming guests to their wedding reception. Also they usually have a little gift for the guests who join their wedding. Furthermore the bride and groom have to change clothes many times. During the party there are fantastic foods, fresh fruits, dancing, and singing.
Some wedding ceremonies have adopted the western practice of a western cake and then cutting the cake. Before they cut the cake, many wedding guests will throw flowers to give wishes to the new couple. After the cake is cut, the bride and groom will also throw a bunch of flowers back at the guests. Sometimes this flower will have some small money in a red pocket (អាំងប៉ាវ ang pauvl). Sometimes the bride will throw the flower specifically to one girl who is close to being married. Then after these events, there is only drinking and dancing around the center stand of fruit.
| Khmer Wedding Ceremony | Bpii Tii Mong-kol-kaa | ពីធីមង្គលការ |
| Bride | Kon kro-mom | កូនក្រមុំ |
| Groom | Kon kom-lous | កូនកំលោះ |
| Fortune teller | Groo dtiay | គ្រូទាយ |
| Monk | Prearh song | ព្រះសង្ឃ |
| Cake | Nom | នំ |
| Guy hold scarf of the bride | Preah Thoung Taung Sbey Neang Neak | ព្រះថោងតោងស្បៃនាងនាគ |
| Neighbor | Nek jiit kaang | អ្នកជិតខាង |
| bridesmaids | Nek kom dor | អ្នកកំដរ |
| Cutting the hair | Kat Sork | កាត់សក់ |
| Red pocket | Ang pauvl | អាំងប៉ាវ |
Here is a small preview of my intermediate book for Khmer. The first section introduces some new vocabulary, then some English conversations that are translating into Cambodian script and Khmer romanization. Next there are some multiple choice questions to practice. Finally there are some repetitive exercises like matching or word searches. This lesson was copied and pasted from word, so if there are some formatting issues, I apologize. Enjoy!
Mee-rian dtii dop មេរៀនទី10 |
Lesson 10 |
| Sra lahn ស្រលាញ់ | love |
| Song-saa សង្សារ | Sweetheart |
| Hae-jom-noon | Morning wedding |
| procession | |
| Jom-naay ចំណាយ | spend |
| Som-raaj-jet សំម្រេចចិត្ត | decide |
| Pi-chaa-ro-naa ពិចារណា | consider |
| Yok យក | bring/take |
| Kjey ខ្ចី(លុយ) | borrow (money) |
| Bong-kom បង្ខំ | to force |
| Sar-saer /koot-sar-saer សរសើរ/ កោតសរសើរ | to admire |
| Rok-luy រកលុយ | to earn money |
| Sdtey-bon-dtoos ស្តីបន្ទោស | to blame |
| Tiak-torng ទាក់ទង | to contact |
| Joh-chhmuah ចុះឈ្មោះ | to register |
| Saok-sdaay សោកស្តាយ | to regret |
| Nae-noam ណែនាំ | to introduce |
| Tver-tam ធ្វើតាម | to follow |
| Bpjiab-bpiak ភ្ជាប់ពាក្យ | engagement |
| Koo-don-deng គូរដណ្តឹង | fiance |
| Riab-kaa រៀបការ | to marry, married |
| Jon-jian ជញ្ជៀន | ring |
| Bpeej ពេជ្រ | diamond |
| Le-ket-anh-jaunh លិខិតអញ្ជើញ | invitation |
| Sraom-som-bot ស្រោមសំបុត្រ | envelope |
| Jol-ruam ចូលរួម | to join/ to attend |
| A-wey អ្វី | what |
| Bpeel-naa ពេលណា | when (question) |
| Nov-bpeel នៅពេល | when (statement) |
| Nek-naa អ្នកណា | who |
| Ro-biab-naa របៀបណា | how |
| Yang-meej-del យ៉ាងម៉េចដែរ | how was |
Practice Conversation |
|
| Sovan : | Do you have fiancé? |
| សុវណ្ណ | តើអ្នកមានគូរដណ្តឹងទេ? |
| Dtau nek mian koo-don-deng dtee? | |
| Dara: | No. |
| ដារ៉ា | អត់ទេ. |
| Ort dte. | |
| Sovan: | Why not? |
| សុវណ្ណ | ហេតុអ្វីអត់មាន? |
| Het-awey ort mian? | |
| Dara: | My sweetheart hates me now. |
| ដារ៉ា | សង្សារខ្ញុំស្អប់ខ្ញុំឥឡូវនេះ. |
| Song-saa knom sa-orb knom ey-lov nih. | |
| Sovan: | Why? |
| សុវណ្ណ | ហេតុអ្វី? |
| Het-awey? | |
| Dara: | She wants to marry this year, but I want to wait 5 years more. |
| ដារ៉ា | នាង ចង់រៀបការឆ្នាំនេះ ប៉ុន្តែ ខ្ញុំ ចង់រៀបការ 5 ឆ្នាំទៀត. |
| Niang jong riab-kaa jnam nih bun-dtee knom jong riab-kaa bram jnam tiat. | |
| Sovan: | I see… |
| សុវណ្ណ | ខ្ញុំយល់ . |
| Knom yul. | |
| Dara: | How is your fiancé? |
| ដារ៉ា | គូរដណ្តឹងរបស់អ្នកយ៉ាងម៉េចដែរ? |
| Koo-don-deng ro-bos nek yang meej del? | |
| Sovan: | She is very good. |
| សុវណ្ណ | នាងល្អណាស់. |
| Niang la-or nas. | |
| Dara: | You buy ring yet? |
| ដារ៉ា | អ្នកទិញជញ្ជៀនហើយ រឺ នៅ? |
| Nek tin jon-jian hoy ruu nov? | |
| Sovan: | Yes I buy a big diamond ring. |
| សុវណ្ណ | បាទ ខ្ញុំទិញ ជញ្ជៀនពេជ្រធំមួយ. |
| baat knom tinh jon-jian bpeej thom muay. | |
| Dara: | Is it expensive? |
| ដារ៉ា | តើវាថ្លៃទេ? |
| Dtau vwia tlai dtee? | |
| Sovan: | Of course. |
| សុវណ្ណ | ជាការពិតណាស់ |
| Jia kaa bpet nas. | |
| Dara: | When do I get my invitation? |
| ដារ៉ា | ពេលណាខ្ញុំទទួលបានលិខិតអញ្ជើញ? |
| Pel-na knom dtor-dtua ban le-ket anh-jaunh? | |
| Sovan: | Soon. I hope you join my wedding with your sweetheart. |
| សុវណ្ណ | ឆាប់ៗ. ខ្ញុំសង្ឃឹមថា អ្នក ចូលរួមពីធីមង្គលការខ្ញុំជាមួយសង្សារអ្នក. |
| Chab chab. knom song-kem tha nek jol-ruam bpii-tii mong-kul-kaa knom jia-mouy song-saa nek. |
|
1) Which word does not belong?
A. Jon-jian ជញ្ជៀន
B. Bpeej ពេជ្រ
C. Bong-kom បង្ខំ
D. Koo-don-deng គូរដណ្តឹង
2) Which is not a verb?
មួយណាមិនមែនជាកិរិយាស័ព្ទ?
Muay naa min maen jia ke-re-yaa-saab?
A. Saok-sdaay សោកស្តាយ
B. Bpjiab-bpiak ភ្ជាប់ពាក្យ
C. Tver-tam ធ្វើតាម
D. Nae-noam ណែនាំ
E. Bong-kom បង្ខំ
3) I ______ my sweetheart. (There are 2 answers)
Knom ______ song-sa ro-bos knom
ខ្ញុំ _____ សង្សារ របស់ខ្ញុំ
A. Sar-saer សរសើរ
B. Saok-sdaay សោកស្តាយ
C. Kout-sar-saer កោតសរសើរ
D. Sdtey-bon-dtoos ស្តីបន្ទោស
4) Your sweetheart who is more then your boyfriend, but not your husband yet. He is your?
A. Tver-tam ធ្វើតាម
B. Pbjiab-bpiak ភ្ជាប់ពាក្យ
C. Nae-noam ណែនាំ
D. Koo-don-deng គូរដណ្តឹង
5) I have no money. Can I _______ some money?
ខ្ញុំ អត់លុយ ខ្ញុំអាច______លុយអ្នកបានទេ?
Knom ort luy. Knom arch _____ luy nek ban-dtee?
A. Bo-ngkom បង្ខំ
B. Pi-cha- ro-na ពិចារណា
C. Yok យក
D. Kjey ខ្ចី(លុយ)
| 1. ___ Som-raaj-jet សំម្រេចចិត្ត | A) consider |
| 2. ___ Pi-chaa- ro-naa ពិចារណា | B) to contact |
| 3. ___ Tiak-torng ទាក់ទង | C) to admire |
| 4. ___ Yok យក | D) bring/take |
| 5. ___ Kjei ខ្ចី(លុយ) | E) borrow |
| 6. ___ Sar-saer /kaot-sar-saur សរសើរ/ កោតសរសើរ | F) to blame |
| 7. ___ Rok-luy រកលុយ | G) to earn money |
| 8. ___ Sdtey-bon-dtoos ស្តីបន្ទោស | H) decide |
| 9. ___ Bong-kom បង្ខំ | I) to force |
1) Engagement = ____________
2) To marry = ____________
3) Diamond = ____________
4) Fiance = ____________
5) Ring = ____________
6) Envelope = ____________
7) Invitation = ____________
Here are some Cambodian environment words that come from my upcoming book, Learn Khmer Now. All of these Khmer words pertain to the environment, which is a hot issue lately in Cambodia. Sorry about the formatting as I copied from microsoft word where it looks nice, but not too nice here, but maybe it helps someone learning Khmer. Anyhow here is the list:
mae-bprai/nek bro-maan sat ព្រានព្រៃ/អ្នកប្រមាញ់សត្វ hunter
pbrai lej tek ព្រៃលិចទឹក rain forest
ro-dov kdau រដូវក្តៅ dry season
ro-dov pliang រដូវភ្លៀង rain season
jom-rok saat ជម្រក(សត្វ) shelter
kaa-bom-pul tek ការបំពុលទឹក water pollution
kaa-bom-pul kyol-ar-kas ការបំពុលខ្យល់អាកាស air pollution
kaa-bom-pul bak-re-dtaan ការបំពុលបរិស្ថាន environment pollution
vwia-rii-aki-sa-nii វារីអគ្គីសនី hydro-electric
pliang ar-siit ភ្លៀងាអាស៊ីត acid rain
bpaak-re-yaa-kaas បរិយាកាស atmosphere
kat-bon-toy កាត់បន្ថយ to reduce
lub-bom-baat លុបបំបាត់ to eliminate
bpom-plaan បំផ្លាញ to destroy
pol-bro-yaoj ផលប្រយោជន៍ advantage
kab-bprai-chhau កាប់ព្រៃឈើ cut down the tree
rot-bal bprai chhau រដ្ឋាបាលព្រៃឈើ forestry administration
ak-pee-rak អភិរក្ស to preserve
bro-kas/psay-dom-neng ប្រកាស/ផ្សាយដំណឹង to announce
ste-dte ស្ថិតិ statistics
bro-paob ប្រភពទឹក water source
som-bak-dtian dei set-ta-kit សម្បទានដីសេដ្ឋកិច្ច social land concession
som-bak-dtian dei song-gom-kej សម្បទានដីសង្គមកិច្ច social land concession
daam ដាំ to grow/ to plant
dom-noam ដំណាំ crop
goo/kro-bey គោក្របី cattle
kak-se-dtaan កសិដ្ឋាន farm
dai ដី land
tung-tek ធុងទឹក pail
daum dnaot ដើមត្នោត palm tree
daum kau-soo ដើមកៅស៊ូ rubber planation
daum om-pau ដើមអំពៅ sugar planation
bro-peet ប្រភេទ species
kaun-laung កើនឡើង to increase
toy-joh ថយចុះ to decrease
sa-hak-kom សហគមន៍ community
srov sa-lei ស្រូវសាលី wheat
son-deek siang សណ្តែកសៀង soya beans
daum-chhuu ដើមឈើ tree
dten-pol ទិន្នផល yield
sa-ma-jek សមាជិក member
krom ក្រុម team/group
bos chnaot បោះឆ្នោត vote
riay-kaa រាយការណ៍ report
nek riay-kaa អ្នករាយការណ៍ reporter
kro-suang ក្រសួង ministry
kro-suang bak-re-tan ក្រសួងបរិស្ថាន Ministry of Environment
staa-baan ស្ថាប័ន institution
kao-nor-yao-bay គោលនយោបាយ policy
nek nor-yao-bay អ្នកនយោបាយ politician
kar truat-traa ការត្រួតត្រា domination
a-na-teb-bak-tai អនាធិបតេយ្យ anarchy
a-son /bon-dtian អាសន្ន/ បន្ទាន់ Emergency
dek nam ដឹកនាំ lead
nek dek nam អ្នកដឹកនាំ leader
mit-pbiab មិត្តភាព friendship
bro-lay tek ប្រឡាយទឹក ditch
ro-dtes kao រទេះគោ cow cart
ro-dtes seh រទេះសេះ horse cart
jon-bot ជនបទ rural /country side
ak-pe-vat អភិវឌ្ឍន៍ develop
ak-pe-vat jon-bot អភិវឌ្ឍន៍ជនបទ rural development
maj-jiak mon-dol មជ្ឃមណ្ឌល Center (Place)
chlong tnol ឆ្លងថ្នល់ cross the street
mee pbrai មេព្រៃ ranger
srav-jriav ស្រាវជ្រាវ to research
gom-raong kaa/paen-kaa ផែនការ/គំរោងការ plan/project
bonghoo tek បង្ហូរទឹក drain (verb)
song /sang song សង់/សាងសង់ to build
dtom-nub tek ទំនប់ទឹក dam
beong បឹង lake
dton-nlee ទន្លេ river
miat dton-nlee មាត់ទន្លេ river side
on-dong អណ្តូង well (n)
miin មីន mine
taob/taob skat ទប់/ទប់ស្កាត់ to barricade/defend
haam ហាម to ban
haam kiat ហាមឃាត់ prohibit
song-gom សង្គម social
a-naa-toor អាជ្ញាធរ authority
kaa-sdtong mat-dte ស្ទង់មតិ to survey
ton-tian ធនធាន resource
tom-ma-jiat ធម្មជាតិ natural
jias-et-te-pol ជះឥទ្ធិពល to affect
How should one spend 48 hours in Phnom Penh? Sadly, most tourists to Cambodia are coming over from Thailand and on their way to Vietnam. There main “to do” is to visit Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, and pass through Phnom Penh for a night or two. So here is a guide to your 48 hours in Phnom Penh. If you need to store your luggage check out my new valet storage company
Waking up I suggest getting breakfast on the riverside. A popular place is Mekong River, but their buffet is bad, but it is cheap. Instead, I recommend going to Titanic. It is close to the north end of riverside close to the night market across from street 108.The breakfast is about 3 US dollars and is a simple breakfast with a juice or coffee. The main reason to go here for breakfast is the view is awesome, and it isnt cheap during dinner.
After breakfast I would head over to the Royal Palace and do that touristy part. 
You can look around the silver pagoda, and take some nice photos. Also of interest would be feeding the many birds that are around the Palace. This is also on Riverside so close to Titanic restaurant.
Next I suggest getting a tuk tuk for the rest of the day, and go out to the killing fields before it gets too hot. Plan to spend about 30 minutes there, 2 hours to look around and 30 minutes to get to the next destination. After the killing fields, the next usual stop is toul sleng museum). This is a famous prison where the Khmer Rouge tortured many people and then killed them. Some people go to the prison first and then the killing fields to experience the numerical order that the Khmer prisoners went through. If doing this just remember the killing fields is out in the sun mostly, while the prison is mostly spent walking around an old school building/prison.
For lunch I would go to Boddha Tree which is really close to the museum, or head over to the next location which is going be the Russian market or toul tom pong. This market you can buy fake clothing, sunglasses, cheap souvenirs, or really anything you wanted. Also located in this market are numerous food vendors that sell cheap tasty food and are use to foreigners. If you get here around dinner time, there are some seafood places on the outside of the market at night that sell some really good food too.
Now it is getting dark and we are going back to where we started. Right by the Titanic restaurant there is a boat that will go on a small cruise for 5 US dollars (10,000 riel for Khmers). If you want to save a couple bucks you can go by Naga world ( the big casino on the opposite end of riverside) and take a ferry for 500 Riel one way. If you have a motobike or a motodop add 500 Riel for the vehicle. The ferry will go across and come back, doing the same thing as the cruise for a lot cheaper and more authentic experience.
Next most tourists get drunk…there are many different places that cater to different tastes, up to you where you go on this one. If you get hungry at night go to street 51, Pasteur rue and eat at a small pizza street place called katy perrys. It is very small, but you will see it because all chairs will be taken. The pizza is cheap, like 2.50 – 4 US dollars for a decent size pizza and has great people watching opportunities.
Next day
You are probably to tired to get up for breakfast….but if you are not, then get some street food…the locals breakfast which is rice with pork or chick. Just look for a lady with a big steam cooker with rice in it and ask for, “bii saiik jruuk” and will get rice with pork, or just point at what you want. It usually comes with an egg for an extra 1000 riel (25 us cents).
After breakfast drive by Independence monument, drive by Hun Sen’s house (one of many, he probably never steps foot in this house.), and Wat Phnom. Right next to Wat Phnom is the Raffles hotel which is famous for Jackie Kennedy visiting there. This place is very expensive, but their bar, Elephant Bar, is okay and can order one drink and feel like a movie star.
Next, take a tuk tuk to silk island which is only 10 to 15 minutes away, but will feel like you are in the provinces. It is very laid back here and even has a small beach there. They also weave silk there and you can buy/watch how they make it.
Next or instead if you want to relax go to Cambodiana hotel and pay 10 dollars to use their pool. The pool is very nice and on riverside; also sometimes they don’t charge so if you are lucky, the pool will be free and relaxing!
For dinner I would go to the night market, by street #108 on riverside, which is great spot for cheap shopping, people watching and inexpensive food. For around 3 or 4 US dollars one can be full.
After that go drinking again or relax at one of the numerous cafes :)>
Here are about 20 Khmer words with a sentence in Khmer script and Cambodian romanization. I did this for another student, and hope this helps others! Let me know what you think!
mee-rian dtii muay មេរៀនទី១
thmei ថ្មី new
Ex: I like to shop at new market.
ខ្ញុំ ចូលចិត្ត ដើរទិញឥវ៉ាន់ នៅផ្សារថ្មី ។
knhom chaul-chet daer tinh ei-vean nov phsar thmei.
Chas ចាស់ old
Ex: i never go to the old market because it is far from my house.
ខ្ញុំ មិនដែលទៅផ្សារចាស់ពីព្រោះវា នៅឆ្ងាយ ពី ផ្ទះរបស់ខ្ញុំ ។
knhom min del tov phsar chas bpi- bpruah vea nov chngay pi pteah ro-bos knhom
hel-teuk ហែលទឹក swim
Ex: I like to go swimming with my friend when I have free time.
ខ្ញុំចង់ទៅហែលទឹកជាមួយនឹងមិត្តភក្តិរបស់ខ្ញុំនៅពេលដែលខ្ញុំមានពេលទំនេរ ។
knhom jong tov hel-teuk chea-muoy neng mit pheak ro-bos knhom nov pel del knhom mean pel tom nel
Ang-hel-teuk អាងហែលទឹក swimming pool
Ex: He has a big swimming pool at my house.
គាត់ មាន អាងហែលទឹកធំមួយ នៅផ្ទះរបស់គាត់ ។
goat mean ang-hel-teuk thom muoy nov pteah ro-bos goat
Cham-nay ចំណាយ spend
Ex: Sophea doesn’t like to spend a lot of money on food because she wants to save money for school next year.
សុភាមិនចង់ចំណាយលុយ ច្រើនលើម្ហូបអាហារទេពីព្រោះនាងចង់សន្សំលុយសំរាប់បង់សាលា ។sopha min jong cham-nay luy chraen leu mhoob-aea-har te bpi-bpruah neang jong san-saam luy sam-reab baong saa-laa nov chnam kraoy .
Kuor-aoy-sraleanh គួរឲ្យស្រលាញ់ lovely
Ex: The children in the organization look lovely and smart.
កុមារ នៅក្នុងអង្គការ មើលទៅ គួរឱ្យស្រឡាញ់ ហើយនិងឆ្លាត ។
Ko-mar nov knong ang-ngkar meel tov kuor aoy sra-leanh hoy-neng chhlat
ba-romបារម្ភ worry
Ex: Their Company has a problem with the client so they worry a lot.
ក្រុមហ៊ុនរបស់ពួកគេមានបញ្ហជាមួយអតិថិជនដូច្នេះពួកគេបារម្ភច្រើន។
Krom-houn ro-bos puak-ge mean banh-hea jea mouy a-te-the-chon dauchneh puokke baromph chraen
sam-rech-chetសម្រេចចិត្ត decide
Ex: I decide to eat rice with chicken.
ខ្ញុំសម្រេចចិត្តញ៉ាំបាយជាមួយសាច់មាន់។
knhom sam-rech-chet njambay chea-muoy sach-mean
pi-cha- ro-naពិចារណា consider
Ex: Have you ever considered your bad points?
តើ អ្នកធ្លាប់ពិចារណាអំពីចំណុចអាក្រក់របស់អ្នកទេ?
dtae nak tloab pi-cha-ro-na aom-pbi cham-noch a-krak ro-bos nak te?
Koum-nit គំនិត idea
Ex: That is a good idea.
នោះ ជា គំនិតល្អ ។
nosh jea koum-nit la-or.
pyea-yeam /sak-lor-bongព្យាយាម/សាកល្បង try, attempt
Ex: I tried to open the door but I was not strong enough.
ខ្ញុំ ព្យាយាម បើកទ្វារ ប៉ុន្តែ ខ្ញុំ អត់មាន កំលាំងគ្រប់គ្រាន់។
khnom pyea-yeam baek tvwia bpon-dtae khnom ort mean kom-lang krob-krean.
Chom-neanh/tep-kao-sal ជំនាញ/ទេពកោសល្យ skill , talent
Ex: She has a lot of talent since she was young.
នាង មានទេពកោសល្យជាច្រើន តាំងពី នាងនៅក្មេង។
neang mean tep-kao-sal chea jraun dtang-bpii neang nov kmeng .
klach ខ្លាច nervous/scare
Ex: I am scared of ghosts.
ខ្ញុំ ខ្លាច ខ្មោច។
Knom khlach khmaoch.
Kar-ngear ការងារ job/work
Ex: what is your job?
អ្នកធ្វើការអ្វី?
Nak tver kar a-vwey.
phtal- kar- ngar ផ្តល់ការងារ offer a job/provide a job
Ex: My friend can offer a job for you.
មិត្តភក្តិរបស់ខ្ញុំអាចផ្តល់ការងារសម្រាប់អ្នក។
mitt pheak ro-bos khnom aaik phtal kar-ngar som-rab nek.
a-ka-sa-theat អាកាសធាតុ weather, climate
Ex: Today the weather is hot in Phnom Penh.
ថ្ងៃនេះអាកាសធាតុក្តៅនៅភ្នំពេញ។
Tngai-nis a-ka-sa-theat gdau nov Phnom Penh.
baek បើក open, turn on
Ex: Please open the door.
សូមបើកទ្វារ !
Soom baek tvwia.
bet បិទ close, turn off, switch offEx: Please, turn off the light.
សូម បិទ ភ្លើង!
Soom bet phleung.
chhab ឆាប់ៗ soon
Ex: I will open new store soon.
ខ្ញុំនិងបើកហាងថ្មីឆាប់ៗ ។
Khnom neng baek haang tmei chhab .
Kan-leng កន្លែង place
Ex: Where is your favorite place?
អ្នកចូលចិត្តកន្លែងណា?
nek jool-jet kon-nleang na?
Kan-leng kar-ngear/Kan-leng tver-kaកន្លែងការងារ/កន្លែងធ្វើការwork place
Ex: My work place is not far from here.
កន្លែងធ្វើការរបស់ខ្ញុំនៅមិនឆ្ងាយពីទីនេះទេ ។
Kan-leng tver-ka ro-bos khnom nov min chngaay bpii ti-nis te.
Kroous- tnak គ្រោះថ្នាក់ accident
Ex: Sophea got accident in front of her school yesterday.
សុភាបានជួបគ្រោះថ្នាក់ចរាចរនៅមុខសាលារៀននាងម្សិលមិញ។
Sophea baan juab kroous-tnak Jo-rah-jo nov mok saa-laa-rian.
jahk-tnahm ចាក់ថ្នាំ inject
Ex: Some of the children in the organization don’t like to inject medicine.
Ko-mar nov knong ang-ngkar muy chom noun min jol jet jahk-tnhm te.
Chkaeh kham ឆ្កែខាំ bite(by dog)
Ex: The dog bites my leg.
ឆ្កែ ខាំជើង របស់ខ្ញុំ។
chhke kham jeeng ro-bos khnom.
veal mok វិលមុខ dizzy
Ex: I was very dizzy after spinning around.
ខ្ញុំវិលមុខណាស់ក្រោយពេលបង្វិលជុំវិញ។
Knom veal mok nas graoy pel bong-veal jom-vij.
Chue kbal ឈឺក្បាល headache
Ex: She has a bad headache today.
នាង ឈឺក្បាលខ្លាំងថ្ងៃនេះ ។
neang chue kbal klang tngai nih.
Sdteu-dtaeh ស្ទើរតែ almost
Ex: I almost forgot to do homework.
ខ្ញុំស្ទើរតែភ្លេចធ្វើកិច្ចការសាលា។
Khnom Sdteu-dtaeh plech tver kich-kar saa-laa
dtiang os ទាំងអស់ all
Ex: I like to eat all khmer food.
ខ្ញុំចូលចិត្តញ៉ាំម្ហូបខ្មែរទាំងអស់។
Khnom jol jet nam mhoob khmer dtiang os.
mnak aehng ម្នាក់ង alone
Ex: I stay at home alone today.
ខ្ញុំនៅផ្ទះម្នាក់ងថ្ងៃនេះ។
Khnom nov pteah ma-nak aeng tngai nih.
Here are some links for cambodia I will update as I go on. I had a link page before, but somehow it got deleted.
http://www.cambodiaexpatsonline.com/
khmer440.com
UPDATE for 2019: There is no need to haggle with tuk tuks anymore as the apps, Grab and PassAPP have made negotiating old fashion. Download either app and put in your location and drop off and the price will be shown on the app. Almost always Grab and PassAPP will be cheaper and even in the suburbs the two apps will have drivers pretty close by.
I get a lot of questions regarding what price one should pay for a tuk tuk. There are a lot of variables that factor into the price, ie is it raining, bad traffic?, or is it night time. I will post some sample rates that should be no hassle for you, the driver is happy, and no one feels ripped off.
Airport to anywhere in Phnom Penh proper will be seven dollars from the queue…if you walk 50 meters and find a tuk tuk in the parking lot, the price is probably down a dollar to 6, but if you go out the gates another 50 meters, the prices will be 5 dollars, even to riverside!
So after the airport you are at your hotel…lets say close to independence monument….From there to popular restaurant FCC on the riverside will be 2 dollars or say you want to visit the national museum first, that would be 2.00. What about the beautiful Royal Palace….2 dollars. There is a pattern….most fares during the day, in good weather with no traffic will be 2 dollars.
Some trips that are not 2 dollars would be from Wat Phnom to Toul Sleng museum (ts-21…the genocide prison). This would be 10,000 riel or 2.50, not that much more expensive so 3 dollars isnt really a fleecing. Going to the killing fields a good price would be 15 dollars, and if you do the prison that fare can be included. The drive will have to drive about 30 minutes to the killing fields, and will have to wait for you until down. The ride can be very dusty, so be prepared!
If you want to go shopping to Psaa Toul Tom Pong (Russian Market) then 3 dollars will probably be the fair….it is a little farther away from the city center.
The last suggested fair would be to Mekong Island or better known as Silk Island. I suggest 15 or even 20 dollars for this trip. You will have to go buy ferry for part of the journey and watching the tuk tuk try to get up the hill from the dock is almost worth the 20 dollars!! If the comedy isnt your tea, the view of the ferry and then Silk Island is awesome. You feel like you are out in the countryside, but pretty close to Phnom Penh still. There is also a small beach on the island that isnt crowded at all. Who said there wasnt a beach in Phnom Penh? 🙂
I hope this helps you figure out how much to pay your tuk tuk driver next time!
PS… Ladys protect your purses…and everyone watch your bookbags!