Categories
Vocab

Cambodia Time

Cambodia Time

This vocabulary lesson about Cambodia Time is going to cover days of the week, the months, and general terms to help one talk about time.

[table]

khmer,englee

tngai, day

aa-dtit/sa-bdaa, week

kae, month

chnam, year

tngai-jan, monday

tngai-aung-gia, tuesday

tngai-bput, wednsday

tngai-bpra-hoa, thursday

tngai-sok, friday

tngai-sau, saturday

tngai-aa-dtit, sunday

tngai-nih, today

tngai naa, which day

graoy, later

mun, before

aa-dtit-graoy, next week

aa-dtit-mun, last week

kae-graoy, next month

kae-mun, last month

sa-aek, tomorrow

kaan-sa-aek, day after tomorrow

msel-miñ, yesterday

msel-mngai, day before yesterday

kae-mak-gra, january

kae-gom-peah, february

kae-mii-nia, march

kae-mii-nia, march

kae-oo-sa-pia, may

kae-mi-to-naa, june

kae-gak-ga-daa, july

kae-sey-haa, august

kae-gañ-yaa, september

kae-dto-laa, october

kae-vwi-je-gaa, november

kae-tnuu, december

kae naa, which month

[table]

The month can also be learned with using the number. For example, January is kae-muay which is first month…June would be kae-bpram-muay since June is the sixth month.

I hope these vocabulary words help you learn a little about Cambodia Time.

Categories
vocab worksheets

Cambodian Flirting Worksheet

Cambodian Flirting

First section is a simple quiz that has multiple choice, true and false and translation section. The second section is matching the Khmer words with their English equivalents.

Cambodian Flirting Quiz

Multiple Choice – Select the correct answer (answers provided at the end)

1) sa-art
a) beautiful
b) ugly
c) crazy
d) handsome

2) chguat
a) beautiful
b) ugly
c) crazy
d) handsome

3) liiw
a) married
b) divorced
c) single
d) windowed

4) Phone number in Khmer?
a) dtour-ro-subp
b) piaw-saw
c) kilw
d) nek
e) sa-art

5) Face in Khmer?
a) pinay
b) moak
c) ail
d) die
e) sok

Please fill in the blank with the appropriate Khmer word.

6) Kynum _______________ skorl nek

7) Soam _______________ dtour-ro-subp ban te

True or False

8) Dorch kernch nov na means I think I saw you somewhere
a) True
b) False

9) Peak ko ail sa-art nas dol huy means you are wearing an ugly dress

a) True
b) False

10) Mien song sa nov? means Are you divorced yet?
a) True
b) False

11) riab-gaa means to marry
a) True
b) False

12) liiw means single
a) True
b) False

13) Write in Khmer, I want to get to know you

14) Translate this sentence into English – Moak neng dorch skorl

Matching

Matching cambodian flirting worksheet
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For answers click page 2

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Cambodian Flirting Answer sheet

Quiz Answers

Answers are in Orange.

1) sa-art
a) beautiful
b) ugly
c) crazy
d) handsome

2) chguat
a) beautiful
b) ugly
c) crazy
d) handsome

3) liiw
a) married
b) divorced
c) single
d) windowed

4) Phone number in Khmer?
a) dtour-ro-subp
b) piaw-saw
c) kilw
d) nek
e) sa-art

5) Face in Khmer?
a) pinay
b) moak
c) ail
d) die
e) sok

6) Kynum [jong] skorl nek

7) Soam [nek] dtour-ro-subp ban te

8) Dorch kernch nov na means I think I saw you somewhere
a) True
b) False

9) Peak ko ail sa-art nas dol huy means you are wearing an ugly dress
a) True
b) False

10) Mien song sa nov? means Are you divorced yet?

a) True

b) False

11) riab-gaa means to marry
a) True
b) False

12) liiw means single
a) True
b) False

13) Write in Khmer, I want to get to know you

Knyum jong skorl nek

14) Translate this sentence into English – Moak neng dorch skorl

Your face looks similar to someone.

Matching Answers

matching cambodian flirting worksheet answersheet
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Categories
Lessons

Cambodian Vowels – first seven

Cambodian Vowels

Sra

Khmer has twenty four simple Cambodian vowels which have unique sounds depending on the consonant that is used. A lot of Cambodian vowels have 2 sounds, one for AUgust consonants and also one for the shOW consonants. Some vowels only have one sound for both the AUgust and shOW consonants. The vowels can have either a short or long sound

All simple vowels have to be with a consonant. Consonant sounds will always be before the vowel sound.  Be careful through that the vowel may be on top of, in front of,  or below the consonant.

Cambodian has eleven advanced vowels, but these are rarely used. They can be used without a consonant attached. Dont worry about these unless you have the rest of the alphabet down pat!

[table]

vowel (sra), vowel name (chmore sra), AU sound, OW sound, location

sra aa cambodian vowel, sra aa, aa, ia, right

 

 

srey e cambodian vowel,sra ey, ey,i, top

 

 

sra ey cambodian vowel,sra ey, ey, ii, top

 

 

sra eurgh cambodian vowel,sra gUn, gUn, gUn, top

 

 

cambodian vowel uhl,sra uhl rUler, uhl, uhl, top

 

 

khmer vowel u,sra oh!, oh!, u, bottom

 

 

cambodian vowel sra oo,sra oo, oo,uu, bottom

 

 

[/table]

 

Categories
Lessons

Khmer Consonants (first ten)

Khmer Consonants

Here are the first ten Khmer consonants. Some are from the AU group and show from the shOW group. You need to hear the word to really understand the pronunciation.

But for now this is better then nothing. Hopefully I will have time and can add audio files for each of the letters that are clickable and can hear my voice to really hear the Khmer consonants 100% correctly.

The first Khmer consonant we are going to learn is gau, goh or gah.

khmer consonants gau

 The next letter is Kau, koh kuh. This is the same ending sound as the previous letter, just different with the first letter being a K.

Khmer consonant Kau

The next letter looks like our first letter. It is said goo or go

Khmer consonant gowNext letter is pronounced like koo or ko

Khmer consonants koo

 Next is Ngoo or Njur

Khmer consonant ngoo

 Continuing we come to the letter, ja or jau

Khmer consonant jauNext is chau, which has a bunch of scribble and looks completely different then any English letter equivalent.

Khmer consonants chau

 Next is joo or jo

Khmer consonant jooNext one looks like the 4th one, koo but the beginning loop of the letter is at the bottom, not the top. It is pronounced choo or cho

Khmer consonant chooThe last one for this lesson is ñoo or ngo.

Khmer consonant ngo

I hope these have helped you learn your first ten Khmer consonants. Remembering them, pronouncing, and how to write the Khmer consonants are all equally important.

If you haven’t read the Intro to Cambodian writing system I strongly suggest you go there to read that article. If already have read that keep practicing these and come back and soon I will have the next ten Khmer consonants up and ready!

 

 

 

Categories
Lessons

Cambodian Writing System

Cambodian Writing System

Intro to Khmer reading and writing

The Cambodian writing system looks way different then English, Spanish, French or any romanticized language. The good thing is Khmer is phonetic and thus easy to learn how to pronounce and spell the words easily.

There are few exceptions to Khmer grammar rules and not like English with many exceptions like I before E unless after a C. There are 33 simple consonants in the Cambodian writing system. Also there are 32 lower case sub consonant symbols.

Khmer Vowels

There are more vowels then English with 24 vowels in the Cambodian writing system. Also there are 11 additional independent vowel symbols.

Then there are the unique punctuation marks that English does have. Thankfully Cambodian writing system has adopted some of English’s punctuation and familiar items like ? ! “are used now.

It is important to be able to read the letters as it helps with obviously signs, menus, and such things like those. Also, there is another reason to learn the characters as it will give you the 100% correct sound. The romanticized transliteration can only be about 95% and sometimes more like 75% correct since English doesnt have the same alphabet.

The consonant classes

There are two consonant classes. The first one contains the AU sound as in AUgust or A-koo-sa.

The second class contains the oo sound like in shOW. There are 15 AUgust consonants and 18 shOW consonants. The AUgust consonants will emit a natural AU sound, while conversely the shOW consonants will emit a natural OW sound.

Don’t worry! It sounds confusing, but it is not.

So when you are ready to learn your first consonants go here for the first ten Khmer consonants

khmer consonant gau

 

 

Categories
vocab worksheets

Khmer Colors Worksheet

Khmer Color worksheets

In progress:

Khmer Color Wordsearch…

khmer colors wordsearch
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Answers after clicking next page

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Categories
Vocab

Khmer Animals Vocab 7

Khmer Animals

First word is not going to be any Khmer animals. To begin we are going to learn a slang cuss word for dogs butt. After that it will just be a bunch of Khmer animals with their Cambodian translation next to it. Enjoy!

Ta

[table]

Sat (Khmer), Animals (Englee)

Kiki Lu Lu, Dogs bottom

chgaeu, dog

chmaa, cat

dtrey, fish

jaab, bird

dtao, lion

klaa, tiger

klaa-kmum, bear

dom-rey, elephant

moan, chicken

goo, cow

jruuk, pig

seh, horse

chluh, deer

[/table]

For the other half of the Khmer animal list click more.

Continue reading “Khmer Animals Vocab 7”
Categories
Lessons Vocab

The Khmer You

Intro to Khmer You

In the Cambodian language there are different ways to say the word, you. The nondescript generic version is nek, but many other Khmer you words can used more accurately and more precisely.

Khmer You Vocab Words

[table]

khmer you word, english translation, definition

Nek, generic you, generally only used when speaking to someone of lower social status or if they are younger. But if in doubt saying nek most listeners will figure out you are trying to say you.

bong, you older, Someone that is older then you but probably not for a really old person you respect. Also can be used to talk to someone that is around your age or even a little younger if one is close to said person

aun, you younger, when speaker to someone younger then you aun is used. If used with the word srey it means baby doll or baby girl.

kmuay, nephew/niece, can be used instead of aun if the listener is in the age range of the speakers child

goon, child, used when speaking to your kids….child

bpaa, Dad, used for your father or a father figure

mae, mom, used for your mother or a mother figure

bpuu, uncle, this can be used to address a person that is around your dads age.

miing, aunt, this can be used to address a person that is around your mothers age.

ohm, old old person, someone that is older then your parents.

look, polite version of nek, This word is used when speaking to a male and not a female. Especially used if the said person is a boss or some other high social status

look-srey, polite version of nek (f), Same as look but for addressing girls.

look-gruu, teacher, This can be used when speaking to a male teacher

[/table]

Nek-gruu – Teacher (f), This can be used when speaking to a female teacher

Khmer teacher vanna in Phnom Penh, cambodia
So you better call me look-srey and not look-gruu 🙂

[table]

khmer you word, english translation, definition

bong-toam, high status, very high status

okhna, noble, If someone has enough money and prestige they can get a title of okhna even a barang! The president of Ezecom (internet) became an Okhna in 2013.

aek-oo-toam, your excellency, used for government ministers

bpraah-ong, God or King, only used when talking with God or the King.

[/table]

I hope these words and explanations will help you figure out how to properly use the Khmer you equivalent correctly.

Categories
Vocab

Khmer classifiers

c grammar lesson

Khmer Classifiers

Brief introduction to Cambodian Classifiers

Specific words that are used to identify nouns are called classifiers. The Khmer language commonly uses classifiers for some words, but sometimes they are not used at the speakers discretionary. Confusing I know!

English does have it’s set of classifiers like glasses of beer, pairs of shoes, and rolls of toilet paper. This page is going to try to list some of the most common Khmer classifiers so you can try to use them or when you hear the term in daily conversation you can understand it’s purpose.

Ta!

Vocab List of Khmer Classifiers

Nek – People

son-lek – sheets of paper

gbaal – animals and books

dung – number of times

dom – piece, roll, bunch

jaan – plates of food

gaew – glasses of beer, water, coke

daab – bottles of beer, water, coke

guu – pairs of things

groab – small round things like candy, seeds, pills

joan – floor as in what stories is your office on

yaang – kinds, types, ways

bon-dtub – rooms

jbab – documents, copies

jam-net – slices

daum – sticks, guns

gii-loo – kilo (kind of like some speakers have a g and not k on kit luy

maet – meters

gii-loo-maet – kilometers

baaw – bags of rice

gam-plee – set of clothes

How to use Khmer Classifiers

So now we know some Khmer classifiers how do we use them? Well, usually the classifiers comes at the end of the sentence of phrase.

For example, sbaek-jong bpii guu (two pairs of shoes). This sentence goes noun + the modifier + classifier.

Sometimes Khmer classifiers are used in a sentence or phrase when their English equivalent phrase or sentence would not use a classifiers.

For example, tnam bey groab which is 3 pills.

One more example of a Khmer classifier in a sentence form. Kynum jong dtin coca (dtek-krooik) bpii daab. I want to buy 2 bottles of coca cola. Coca cola is pronounced with just the first word as in Coca like the coca plant. Also if you wanted to say pop, soda, the generic term is dtek-krooik.

I hope this article helps a little bit on learning the Cambodian language and the small nuances the language contains.

Categories
Vocab

To Know and How to use the Cambodian word howie

2 Cambodian word s

To Know:

The first word Cambodian word we are going to learn is the three different ways to say to know.  

The first one is jeh or Ja. This means to know how to do something.

The next word is dung, which is to know knowledge about something.  For example kynum dung. I know something, and conversely kynum min dung dtee is I dont know. Some speakers also use awt dung.

The last way is about knowing someone (a person). The Cambodian word is sgoal. Dtau look sgoal bong Timmy dtee. The translation is, “Do you know Timmy?”

Timmy loves Cambodia word s

Howie

The first meaning for the Cambodian word howie is already. Gee jeh ni-yiay howie. He already knows how to talk. Kynum muhl gon nih howie. I have already seen this movie. When howie is representing always it is usually at the end of the sentence.

Howie can also be used to talk about the past. Khmer verbs do not have conjugation to show tenses like past, present and future. The listener has to go off of context and sometimes classifiers. Howie is one of these aforementioned classifiers. kynum tov psaa howie, which means i went to the market already, thus past tense.

If you don’t know what a classifier is, or want to know more about Cambodian classifiers this article, “Khmer Classifiers” contains an introduction to what a classifier is. It also explains where the classifier is used in the sentence structure and also has a vocabulary list of the most common Khmer classifiers.