Travelling to Cambodia? Start with suosdei (hello), aw-kun (thank you), som (please / a polite request), soum tos (excuse me / sorry), nəv ey na? (where is…?) and tlai ponman? (how much?). Recognise phteah somnāk (accommodation / lodging), phsar (market), phteah-toilet (toilet, in common practical usage) and chhnang (pot / vessel in food and market contexts). These basics can help in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang and coastal towns.
Khmer is the official language of Cambodia. English is used in many visitor-facing services, particularly in established tourism settings, but it should not be assumed in every local interaction. This guide gives you a practical phrase set and explains how to use written addresses, fare confirmation and simple questions to make communication more dependable.
Quick read: Learn suosdei, aw-kun, som and tlai ponman first. Save your hotel address in Khmer and English, agree on the tuk-tuk fare or app price before travelling, check the exact entrance and visitor rules at temples, and confirm market prices and quantities. A short phrase is most useful when paired with the exact place or item you mean.
20 useful Khmer travel phrases
| Khmer | Reading aid | Meaning / use |
|---|---|---|
| សួស្តី | suosdei | Hello |
| អរគុណ | aw-kun | Thank you |
| សូម | som | Please / polite request |
| សូមទោស | soum tos | Excuse me / sorry |
| បាទ / ចាស | baat / chaa | Polite affirmative particles (commonly used by men / women) |
| ទេ | te | No / not |
| នៅឯណា? | nəv ey na? | Where is…? |
| ថ្លៃប៉ុន្មាន? | tlai ponman? | How much does it cost? |
| ខ្ញុំមិនយល់ទេ | khnhom min yol te | I do not understand |
| និយាយអង់គ្លេសបានទេ? | niyeay anglais ban te? | Can you speak English? |
| ជួយផង | chuoy phong | Please help |
| ទឹក | teuk | Water |
| បង្គន់ | bangkon | Toilet |
| ច្រកចូល | chrok chol | Entrance |
| ច្រកចេញ | chrok chenh | Exit |
| សណ្ឋាគារ | santhakia | Hotel |
| ផ្សារ | phsar | Market |
| តុកតុក | tuk-tuk | Tuk-tuk |
| សំបុត្រ | sambot | Ticket |
| មន្ទីរពេទ្យ | monti pet | Hospital |
Khmer greetings and polite requests
Suosdei is a common greeting, and aw-kun is thank you. You may hear baat or chaa as polite affirmative responses, depending on the speaker. Khmer politeness can be expressed in different ways depending on age, relationship and setting; the short forms here are only a starting point.
Pronunciation guides written in English letters are approximate. Khmer has sounds that do not map neatly onto English spelling, so keep the Khmer script visible on your phone. A local person may be able to read the written address or question even when your pronunciation is uncertain.
Tuk-tuks and getting around
Tuk-tuks and app-based rides are common ways visitors travel in Cambodian towns and cities. Before setting off, confirm the destination, the pickup point and the fare arrangement. If you agree a price directly, make sure both people understand whether it covers the entire ride, each passenger or a particular stop. For app-based rides, match the vehicle and driver to the booking.
Keep the full accommodation name and address, as well as a nearby landmark, available offline. In busy areas, a hotel may have more than one entrance or be located in a narrow street that a vehicle cannot enter. Confirm the drop-off point with the property rather than relying only on a broad district name.
- Confirm the destination and fare before the ride begins.
- Check the driver and vehicle details against the booking if using an app.
- Ask whether a planned stop changes the price.
- Keep valuables secure and use recognised transport arrangements.
- Save the return destination before leaving your hotel.
Temples, markets and respectful visits
Cambodia’s temples and heritage sites are places of worship, history and conservation as well as visitor attractions. At Angkor and other religious sites, follow the current dress, photography and access rules. Cover shoulders and knees where required, do not climb restricted structures and respect areas set aside for worship. Follow site staff instructions rather than relying on what another visitor does.
At markets, phsar means market. Ask tlai ponman? to begin a price conversation. Confirm the currency, quantity and whether the price is per item, portion or set. Bargaining may be possible in some market settings, but it is not appropriate everywhere. Be courteous and accept a refusal.
Food, water and prices
Cambodian dishes vary by region and household. A menu name does not tell you every ingredient, sauce or preparation method. If you have a serious allergy, prepare a carefully checked Khmer-language statement naming the allergen and cross-contact concern. Ask the restaurant to confirm with the kitchen; a general request such as ‘no chilli’ is not a complete allergy statement.
Use the price question before buying and make sure the amount is understood. If the spoken number is unclear, ask for it to be written or shown on a calculator. For bottled water or other essentials, check the label, seal and price before paying.
A five-day Khmer practice plan
- Day 1: practise suosdei, aw-kun, som and soum tos.
- Day 2: save your hotel address and practise asking nəv ey na?
- Day 3: rehearse a tuk-tuk ride and confirm the full fare and destination.
- Day 4: practise tlai ponman? at a market and confirm quantity.
- Day 5: review the current visitor rules for the temples and heritage sites on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Khmer to visit Cambodia?
No. English is used in many tourism services, but Khmer phrases are helpful in local transport, markets and everyday exchanges.
What does phsar mean?
It means market. You may see or hear it in place names and everyday directions.
Should I agree on a tuk-tuk price first?
When a fare is negotiated directly, confirm the full amount, route and any stops before departure. For app rides, check the quoted fare and booking details.
Is English understood everywhere?
No. Availability varies by place and person. Keep the written destination and important requests accessible.
Continue exploring Cambodia
Read things to do when visiting Cambodia and things to learn when visiting Cambodia. These wider guides complement this page’s practical phrase focus.
Official references
- Cambodia Ministry of Tourism — official destination information.
- Angkor Enterprise — official Angkor ticketing and visitor information.
- Singapore MFA travel guidance — traveller preparation and consular information.
Language note: Khmer pronunciation guides are approximate and usage can vary. Check current site rules, transport fares, entry requirements and safety advice with official sources before travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.