How to Say “Hello” in Cambodian: Guide to Khmer Greetings

When traveling to a new country, it is always polite to learn how to say hello in the local language. Cambodia is no exception to this rule, and saying hello in Cambodian is a great way to break the ice with the locals. There are different ways to say hello in Cambodia, depending on how formal the situation is. Find out below how to say “Hello” in Cambodian like a local!

Written by Thom DOAN (Travel Consultant) Updated on 11-10-2024

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1. Hello in Cambodian - Chom Reap Sour!

To greet in Cambodia, the most common way is to say “Chom Reap Sour”, which means “Hello” in French. If you are new to a country, it is best to use this more formal formula. However, in Cambodia, social interactions are often governed by centuries-old traditions of respect and hierarchy.

So, if you want to greet like a real Cambodian and show your respect and knowledge of their culture, it can be helpful to learn how to give a real hello in Cambodian, depending on the context.

2. How to say hello in respectful Cambodian?

As we explained previously, saying hello in Cambodian is not just a phrase, but also an important social component of Cambodian culture. Indeed, if you want to greet someone in Khmer language, there are two different ways to do it: “Chom Reap Sour” for a formal context and “Susadei” for an informal context.

“Chom Reap Sour” is used when speaking to older people and people of higher social status to show them respect. On the other hand, “Susadei” is a more informal formula, often used between friends or family members. By using appropriate greeting expressions depending on the context, you demonstrate your respect for Cambodian culture and traditions.

Now that you know the appropriate expressions to say hello, let's find out together the right way to use them. Do you know that Cambodians also have their own gesture to greet someone? This gesture to say hello and goodbye is called Sampeah.

This is a traditional Cambodian greeting gesture that shows respect. Sampeah is performed by joining the palms of the hands in a prayer gesture and bowing the head. The higher the hands and the lower the head tilt, the greater the level of respect towards the other person. Cambodians use 5 different types of Sampeah depending on who they are addressing:

• When greeting their friends who are the same age, they place both palms together at chest level.
• For bosses, elderly people or people of higher rank, they place both their palms together at mouth level.
• Parents, older grandparents and teachers should be greeted with the sampeah at nose level.
• Sampeahs at eyebrow level are reserved for monks and the king.
• Front-level sampeahs are intended exclusively for prayer, sacred sites and temple worship.

It is common to do a Sampeah during first introductions or if people have not seen each other for a long time. However, it's not necessary to do this every time you meet a friend, family member, or coworker. It is considered rude and offensive not to respond to a Sampeah. 

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3. How to greet correctly in Cambodia?

In Cambodia today, we observe a Western cultural influence which has been accepted. Cambodian men often shake hands when greeting each other. However, it is common for women and men not to touch each other when greeting each other, as Cambodians are not used to touching, especially between opposite sexes. Women often adhere to the traditional greeting.

In Cambodia, the customary greeting is a graceful gesture known as "Sampeah," where individuals press their palms together like a prayer. They then raise their hands to chest level, accompanied by a slight bow. This simple act conveys respect, with the height of the hands and depth of the bow signifying the degree of reverence shown.

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In formal situations, Cambodians use greetings with the terms "Lok" (Mr.) or "Lok Srey" (Ms.) followed by the person's first name. The surname is rarely used alone, as is the case in Western countries.

In some cases, using the surname may be considered impolite, as many Cambodian surnames are derived from father, grandfather, or ancestor. It is best to use the first name unless you are sure the last name is acceptable.

In Cambodia, it is customary to show respect to elders by using honorifics when addressing them. Older men are usually called "Ta" (grandfather), "Po" (uncle) or "Bang" (brother), while older women are called "Yeay" (grandmother), "Ming" (aunt) or "Bang Srey" (sister).

It would be considered rude if a younger person addressed an older person without using an honorific. People of the same age or younger can be addressed by their first name without using a title.

4. Greeting formalities in Cambodia

In Cambodian culture, the head is considered the highest part of the body and is therefore treated with great respect. Touching someone's head is considered harmful to their energies, as it is the focal point of intelligence and spiritual substance.

Even if you're just trying to be friendly, it's best to avoid touching a local resident's head. Additionally, Cambodians are very conservative when it comes to sexuality, and public displays of affection are frowned upon. If you're meeting someone for the first time, it's best to avoid putting your hands on their shoulders or hugging them.

As you travel across the country, you may need help or favors from locals, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. In these situations, it is important to be polite by expressing gratitude and humility. Using words like “please,” “thank you,” and “sorry” are simple but powerful ways to show your respect.

When you ask for something, whether it's something big or small, be sure to say "thank you" and remain polite. As a foreigner, it is essential to remember to be sensitive to the local culture, as it may be very different from that of your home country.

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5. Phrases in Khmer and basic vocabulary to know

If you are planning to travel to Cambodia, it is a good idea to learn a few simple phrases that will help you communicate with the locals. By knowing some Khmer phrases, not only will you be able to interact with the locals, but it will also show your respect for their culture. 

Here are some Khmer words and phrases that will definitely come in handy for you to connect with the locals.

• How are you ? I'm fine : Soksaby [sok-sa-bye]

It may seem strange that the Khmer way of asking the question “how are you?” ” and the response “I’m fine” are the same. However, you will notice a difference in intonation. The question has a rising intonation and the answer has a falling intonation.

• Goodbye (formal) : Chom reap lear [chom-reep-lear]
• Goodbye (informal) : Lear hi [lea-hi]
• Yes (for men) : Bah [bah]
• Yes (for women) : Jah [chaa]

You will often hear “bah, bah, bah” from Cambodian men and “chaa chaa chaa” from women, usually repeated several times.

• No : Ot teh [ot-tei]
• Thank you : Arkun [ar-koon]
• Sorry / Excuse me : Som dtoh [som-toe]

• Please : Som
• Goodbye : Li hai [lee-hi]
• I don't understand : Knyom min pai sa-um [knyom-min-pie-soum]
• You're welcome : Ta lao-ya [ta-la-ya]
• What's your name ? : Chhmua ei? [cham-moo-ey]
• My name is ___ : Knyom chhmua ___ [knyom-cham-moo]

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At the market

Learning a few phrases to haggle at the market will be rewarded with lower prices.

• How much does this cost ? : Ney aray t'lay? [nei a-rai t-lay?]
• What is this ? : Nan jibai?
• I would like to buy this : Knyom jong keng dey nak bouy na
• Too expensive : T'lay [t-lay]
• Me, bee, bay, boom, bram, bram me, bram bee, bram boom, dop – numbers from 1 to 10.

Transport and travel

A tuk-tuk will likely be your primary mode of transportation in Cambodia, so it helps to learn a few phrases. Adding a “som” (please) before a request is always appreciated.

• Turn left: Baht schweng [bart-shweng]
• Turn right: Baht saddam [bart-sadam]
• Stop: Chop [chop]
• Here: Tini [tinny]
• Go straight: Da trong [da-trong]

At the restaurant/bar

• Delicious: Chhnang [ch-nang]
• Water please: Som tach [som tack]
• The bill please: Som ket loy [som-ket-loy]
• Health!: Chloy moy!
• Bon appetit: Niang bai

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6. Some Cambodian slangs

• Barang (ba-rang) / Foreigner Originally referring to the French during colonial times, "Barang" now broadly labels all foreigners in Cambodia and is commonly heard in everyday conversation.
• Chhnang Nas (ch-nang naas) / Very Delicious Express appreciation for food by using "Chhnang nas," meaning "very tasty." The suffix "nas" can be used to intensify any adjective, such as "kdao nas" (very hot).
• Choul Mouy (chull muy) / Cheers Essential for social drinking, "Choul mouy" translates to "bump one." It's a fun part of drinking rituals, especially in beer gardens, where it's customary to clink glasses before each sip.
• Man (man) / How Much? For effective bargaining in markets or with tuk-tuk drivers, use "Man?" to inquire about price, streamlining the typical "Bou man?"

• Yap Moung (yap mong) / You’re Crazy Used lightheartedly, "Yap moung" describes someone acting foolishly. It's playful and not considered offensive.
• Songsaa / Sweetheart "Songsaa" is an endearing term for a significant other, reflecting the romantic nature of Cambodian culture.
• Sa’at (sa-art) / Beautiful Compliment something or someone as "Sa’at" to express beauty, often eliciting positive reactions.
• Howey (how-ee) / Already "Already" is frequently used to indicate that an action is completed, such as "I’ve already seen that." It helps express past actions due to the lack of verb conjugation for tense in Khmer.

Our last words

Cambodia is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history. From the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat to the bustling capital of Phnom Penh, there are a wealth of sites to discover and activities to undertake. Learning Khmer pronunciation can be challenging due to some unique sounds that have no direct equivalent in English. However, locals are typically very helpful and will gladly assist you with pronunciation. Cambodians are known for their kindness, gentleness and politeness. If you are planning to travel to Cambodia, it is important to know how to say hello in Cambodian and to know the local customs to respect the traditions and customs of this country. By following these basic tips, you can ensure you have an unforgettable travel experience in Cambodia.

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