Basic Khmer Phrases for Foodies: A Language Guide to Eating in Cambodia

Traveling through Cambodia? Knowing just a few local phrases can turn a good meal into a great experience. This quick guide will help you order like a pro, pay with confidence, and connect with the friendly locals who make Cambodian food so special.

Greetings

  • Hello: សួស្តី (sou sdey)
  • Good Morning: អរុណសួស្តី (arun sou sdey)
  • Good Afternoon: សាយ័នសួស្តី (sai yun sou sdey)
  • Good Night: រាត្រីសួស្តី (rea trei sou sdey)
  • Goodbye: លាហើយ (lea haey)
  • Nice to meet you: រីករាយដែលបានជួបអ្នក (rik reay del ban choub nak)
  • Thank you: អរគុណ (arkun)
  • Thank you so much: អរគុណច្រើន (arkun chren)
  • Sorry: សុំទោស (som tous)
  • Excuse me: ថ្លែងទោស (ot tous)
  • Beautiful / Handsome: ស្អាត (sart)
  • Happy: សប្បាយ (sa bay)

Names & Titles

In Cambodia, titles are more than just polite. They’re a key part of showing respect and building connection. Locals often address each other based on age and relationship, even with strangers. Whether it’s bong for someone older, oun for someone younger, or family-style terms like pu for uncle and ming for aunt, using the right title helps conversations feel more friendly and natural. Here’s a quick guide to the basics.

  • All genders who older than you: បង (bong)
  • All genders who younger than you: ម្អន (oun)
  • Uncle: ពូ (pu)
  • Aunt: មីង (ming)
  • Grandpa: តា (ta)
  • Grandma: យាយ (yay)

Khmer is one of Southeast Asia’s oldest languages, dating back over 1,400 years. Its script is derived from ancient Brahmi, giving it a unique look and history. Despite its age, it’s easy to pick up for basic interactions!

Dining Phrases

I want… ខ្ញុំចង់… (Khnhom jong…)

I don’t want… ខ្ញុំមិនចង់… (Khnhom min jong…)

I’m allergic to… ខ្ញុំប្រតិកម្មទៅនឹង… (Khnhom protikam tov neng…)

  • Cold: ត្រជាក់ (tro jeak)
  • Hot: ក្តៅ (k’tao)
  • Ice: ទឹកកក (tuek gok)
  • Water: ទឹក (tuek)
  • Coffee: កាហ្វេ (ka-fe)
  • Milk: ទឹកដោះគោ (tuek dok ko)
  • Tea: តែ (te)
  • Beer: ប៊ីយា (bia)
  • Juice: ទឹកផ្លែឈើ (tuek phlae chheu)
  • Soda Water: ទឹកសូដា (tuek soda)
  • Spicy: ហើរ (hoer)
  • Non-spicy: អត់ហើរ (ot hoer)
  • Chili: ម្រេច (mrech)
  • Noodles: មី (mee)
  • Rice: បាយ (bay)
  • Dry: ស្ងួត (snguot)
  • Soup: ស៊ុប (sup)
  • Vegan: មិនបរិភោគសាច់ (min boriphouk sach)
  • Halal: ហាឡាល់ (halal)
  • Vegetarian: មិនបរិភោគសាច់ និងសត្វ (min boriphouk sach neng sat)
  • Gluten-Free: មិនញាំស្រូវសាលី (min nham srov saley)
  • Nuts: គ្រាប់ធុញ្ញជាតិ (kreum tonha cheat)
  • Seafood: គ្រឿងសមុទ្រ (kroeng samut)
  • Beef: សាច់គោ (sach ko)
  • Chicken: សាច់មាន់ (sach moan)
  • Pork: សាច់ជ្រូក (sach chrouk)
  • Lamb: សាច់ចៀម (sach cheam)
  • Fish: ត្រី (trey)
  • Prawn: បង្គា (bongkea)
  • Coriander: ជី (ji)
  • Green onion: ស្លឹកខ្ទឹម (slek khteam)
  • Ginger: ខ្ញី (khjey)
  • Garlic: ខ្ទឹមស (khtem sor)
  • Menu: ម៉ឺនុយ (menu)

Many local restaurants in Cambodia may not have English menus, but don’t worry! Just point to what others are eating, use Google Translate’s camera, or say the dish name from your list. People are friendly and happy to help.

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