The Cambodian language is Khmer, which is inherited itself - and advanced in education with application of Indic languages Pali and Sangkrit from India. Also, the Khmer language is influenced by spoken and written Thai. Some technical languages are borrowed from French. However, English is commonly communicated in hotels and business compounds at present days.
Thearavada Buddhism is the official religion in Cambodia which is practiced by 95 percent of the population-- just like that of Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka. However, Christianity and Cham Muslim are being active and popular among a large number of population as well in the capital and provinces, showing a sign of growth. Daoism and Confuism are also commonly practiced among the Chinese people.
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 Buddhism
Buddhists see the universe and all life as part of a cycle of eternal change. They follow the teaching of Buddha, an Indian prince born in the sixth century B.C. Buddhists believe that a person is
Buddhist monks are highly disciplined and
must follow 227 rules in addition to the ten basic precepts of being a good Buddhist. Monks cannot take part in entertainment.
They lead simple lives dedicated to Buddhism and the temple. |
continually reborn, in human or nonhuman form, depending on his or her actions in a previous life. They are released from this cycle only when thy reach nirvana, which may be attained by achieving good karma through earning merit and following the Buddhist path of correct living.
Earning merit is an important of Buddhist life. Buddhists in Cambodia earn merit by giving money, goods, and labor to the temples, or by providing one of the two daily meals of the monks.
Children often look after the fruits trees and vegetable gardens inside their local wat, or temple. Boys can earn merit by becoming temple servants or novice monks for a short time. Most young men remain monks for less than a year.
Learn Khmer
Here are some useful Khmer words and phrases, written phonetically, that will come in handy. Khmer may sound confusing. But with a little patience and practice, you can get by.
There are 33 consonants and 26 vowels. "Ai" is pronounced as in Thai; "ay" as in pay; "dt" takes the t sound while "bp" takes the p sound. "Oo" is pronounced as in cook and "ao" as in Laos.
English |
Khmer |
English |
Khmer |
Hello
How are you?
Good morning
Good afternoon
Good night
My name is.....
Yes
No
Please
Thank You
Excuse me
Goodbye
I don't understand
I want a...
Water
Tea
Rice (cooked)
Rice (uncooked)
Meat
Fish
Chicken
Bread
Restaurant
Where is the...?
Market
Bank
Post Office
Doctor
Bus
Train
Cycle
Policeman
Turn left
Turn right
Go straight
Morning
Midnight
Night
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday |
jum-reap soo-a
tau neak sok sapbaiy teh?
arun sour sdei
tiveah sour sdei
reah-trey sour sdei
k'nyom tchmouh...
baat
dteh
suom mehta
or-koon
sohm dtoh
joom-reap leah
k'nyom men yoo-ul tee
k'nyom jang baan...
teuk
tai
bia
angkoh
saich
t'ray
moan
num pung
haang bai
noev eah nah...?
p'sah
tho neea kear
bprai sa nee
peth
laan ch'noul
ra dteah plerng
see kloa
bpoa leeh or norkor-bahl
bot dtoy ch'wayng
bot dtoy s'dum
dtov dtrong
bpreuk
aa-tree-at
yoop
t/ngai aa-dteut
t'ngai jan
t'ngai ong-gee-a
t'ngai bpoot
t'ngai bpra-hoa-a
t'ngai sok
t'ngai sao |
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Month
Year
Last Year
New Year
Next Year
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Night
Ten
Eleven
Twenty
Thirty
Forty
Fifty
Sixty
Seventy
Eighty
Ninety
Hundred
Thousand
Ten thousand
Hundred thousand
Million |
m'serl menh
t'ngai nih
t'ngai sa-aik
khaeh
ch'nam
ch'nam moon
ch'nam thmey
ch'nam groy
ma ga raa
kompheak
mee nah
meh sah
oo sa phea
mi thok nah
ka kada
say haa
kan'ya
to laa
wech a gaa
t'noo
moo ay
bpee
bay
boun
bpram
bpram moo ay
bpram bpee
bpram bay
bpram buon
dahp
dahp moo ay
m'pay
saam seup
sai seup
ha seup
hok seup
jeht seup
bpait seup
gao seup
moo-ay roy
moo-ay bpoan
moo-ay meun
moo-ay sain
moo-ay lee-un |
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