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Cambodia · Khmer Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

Local etiquette

Greet with palms pressed together and a slight bow — the 'sampeah' — while saying 'suor sdei'. Raise your hands higher for elders and monks.
The head is sacred — never touch anyone's head, even a child's. The feet, by contrast, are the lowest part of the body.
Don't point at people or Buddha images with your feet, or sit with your soles facing them. Tuck your feet to the side or behind you when seated.

1
ខ្ញុំមិនយល់ទេ
I don't understand “knhom min yol te”
2
ខ្ញុំនិយាយភាសាខ្មែរមិនបានទេ
I don't speak Khmer “knhom niyeay pheasa khmer min ban te”
3
អ្នកចេះនិយាយភាសាអង់គ្លេសទេ?
Do you speak English? “neak ches niyeay pheasa angkles te?”
4
សូមនិយាយយឺតៗ
Please speak slowly “som niyeay yeut yeut”
5
នេះជាអ្វី?
What is this? “nih chea avei?”
6
បង្គន់នៅឯណា?
Where is the toilet? “bangkon nov ae na?”
7
ថតរូបបានទេ?
May I take a photo? “thot roup ban te?”
8
សូមជួយ
Please help me “som chuoy”

Local etiquette

Women must not touch a monk or his robes directly; pass items via a man or place them on a cloth.
Touching someone's head or stepping over people is very rude. Stoop low when passing in front of seated people.
Avoid outbursts and public arguments — Cambodians value 'face' and strongly dislike being embarrassed in public.

Local etiquette

Bargaining is expected in markets, stalls, and tuk-tuks. Start gently around half the asking price with a smile.
US dollars are widely used; change under a dollar is given in riel (the local currency). Carry small denominations.
Torn or old dollar bills are often refused, so use clean notes.

Local etiquette

Meals are shared — take from the communal dishes onto your own plate.
Drink only bottled water, and be cautious with ice unless it's factory-made (the kind with a hole).
Let elders sit and begin eating first as a sign of respect.
Offer and receive food with your right hand rather than your left — it's more polite.

1
ទៅ...ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន?
How much to...? (tuk-tuk/taxi) “tov ... thlai ponman?”
2
ថ្លៃពេក, ចុះថ្លៃបន្តិច
Too expensive, lower it please “thlai pek, choh thlai bantech”
3
ទៅ...បានទេ?
Can you take me to...? “tov ... ban te?”
4
ឈប់ត្រង់នេះ
Stop here, please “chhup trong nih”
5
ឆ្ងាយទេ?
Is it far? “chngay te?”
6
ស្ថានីយ៍ឡានក្រុងនៅឯណា?
Where is the bus station? “sthani lan krong nov ae na?”
7
ខ្ញុំវង្វេងផ្លូវ
I'm lost “knhom vongveng phlov”

Local etiquette

Always agree the destination and fare with a tuk-tuk before getting in. Apps like PassApp and Grab help avoid overcharging.
Angkor and other Siem Reap sites require an Angkor Pass — carry it, as it's checked at entry points.
Rural and night roads are unlit and rough, so travel by day when possible.

1
ខ្ញុំបានកក់បន្ទប់
I have a room reservation “knhom ban kok bantub”
2
មានទឹកក្ដៅទេ?
Is there hot water? “mean teuk kdav te?”
3
ម៉ាស៊ីនត្រជាក់មិនដើរ
The AC isn't working “machin trocheak min daeur”
4
ពាក្យសម្ងាត់ Wi-Fi ជាអ្វី?
What's the Wi-Fi password? “peak samngat wi-fi chea avei?”
5
ផ្ញើអីវ៉ាន់បានទេ?
Can I leave my luggage? “phnhaeur ei van ban te?”

Local etiquette

Remove your shoes before entering temples and homes. At temples, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is required.
Power cuts happen occasionally — a flashlight and power bank are handy.

Local etiquette

Police 117, ambulance 119, fire 118. Tourist Police operate at major sites in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
Medical facilities are limited; serious emergencies may require an international hospital in Phnom Penh or evacuation to Bangkok, so get travel insurance.
If you lose your passport, get a local police report and contact your embassy in Phnom Penh.