Cambodia is an under-appreciated gem. Despite its beautiful sites like the world-famous Angkor Wat temple complex, the country doesn’t get the attention that its Southeast Asian neighbors like Thailand enjoy. They are beginning to build up their infrastructure to make it easier and more convenient for people around the world to discover everything the country has to offer.
Khmer, the language spoken in Cambodia, has 16 million speakers. It shares close roots with Vietnamese and has been influenced by both the Thai and Laos languages. As such, there are several dialects of Khmer used throughout the country that are mostly mutually intelligible, but have several unique traits and differing accents.
For writing, Khmer uses its own script which is said to be one of the oldest still in use in Southeast Asia. The language does not use inflection. Meaning is derived heavily from word order, with sentences following an SVO structure. In spoken Khmer, it is generally the last syllable of the word that the stress is placed. Similar to Thai, there is differentiation between aspirated and non-aspirated consonant sounds to an extent.
Cambodia’s past has greatly shaped the country today, so anyone with an interest in the history of the country and the surrounding region will benefit greatly from gaining some understanding of the Khmer language. As the infrastructure is built up, more of the country will become easy to access, making it somewhere great to explore that is more off the beaten path than many areas in Southeast Asia. Of course, these less visited areas will likely have very limited English skills, so to make the most of your stay, you should consider learning some Khmer.
There are so many reasons why people choose to learn a new language like Afrikaans. Having a clear cut reason why you want to learn will help you with your motivation and give you the push to learn on when you might feel out of your depth. While there are a lot more complex reasons, here are a few you should consider when starting your language learning journey:
Traveling:
You know what would make travel infinitely easier and more enjoyable? The ability to speak the language of the locals. This will make it much easier for you to get to know the people and learn much more about the culture of the area. It unlocks so many more opportunities to see places off the beaten path, try new and interesting food, and see the country from a different perspective.
Business:
Of course, knowing the language of your business partners would make day to day operation much smoother. It takes away a lot of the ambiguity and helps get to the point. In addition, it opens more opportunities to travel for work, work abroad or just get a more prestigious job at home. Speaking multiple languages is a well sought after skill that may just set you apart from others applying for the same position.
Improving Yourself:
Learning a new language is among the most common new years resolutions people make. While many people do not follow through, those that are determined to improve themselves and learn new skills really put in the effort to achieve their goal. Becoming fluent in a target language is very fulfilling and gives you a chance to meet new people and explore more. Otherwise, it is a very impressive feat that you can show off to everyone you know.
Meeting New People:
Have you ever thought that, by learning a language like Mandarin, you would open up the possibility to speak to over a billion people? Whether you have friends that you want to try speaking with in their native language, or you are looking to meet new people from different cultures, learning a new language is one of the best ways to go about it. Having these native speakers as friends and speaking to them frequently will also help you practice and learn even more.
Understanding Media:
Whether you listen to K-Pop, watch Japanese anime, or enjoy reading German literature, learning the language of the media you are consuming will make the experience much easier. Beyond just understanding the language, you will also pick up on the more subtle cultural aspects of the text that sometimes get lost in translation. Being able to see yourself progress as you begin understand what you are reading or hearing is a great motivation and will make you feel great.
When it comes to choosing how to get started or ways to continue your learning, there are many different methods that people use. Everyone learns best in different ways, so try them all out and find what works best for you. Similarly, there are both paid and free language learning programs that you will need to consider. Here are some of the more prominent examples:
Language Classes
For those who enjoy the classroom experience, language classes can be a very effective way to get a formal education in your target language. These can be either in a classroom setting with several other learners, or one-to-one with a private language tutor. While learning directly with a private tutor will get you a more personalized experience, it can become costly. However, if you want one of the most effective educations in the language and time and money is no issue, this is definitely worth considering.
Language Learning Courses
Maybe you are a real book worm and learn best through reading and writing. There are so many choices available online or in a combination of audio CD and book form that will walk you step by step through a language. These usually follow a format of a few pages on a particular topic followed by some related questions for you to answer as a test. For some, this is an ideal way to learn for what can be a reasonable price. For others, they may find this method difficult, unfulfilling, or boring. If you have the willpower to set aside time and concentrate on the task, you should give it a try.
Language Immersion
If you surround yourself in the language you are learning, it should be easier to learn, right? This is generally the case. You will constantly be tested and hear new vocabulary in your day to day life. Every interactive with others will be an opportunity to use your skills, helping to remember and practise what you know. While it is an effective method for learning a new language, it is far from practical in most cases. You are probably better starting off with a different method and working your way up to eventually visiting or even moving to the new country.
Smartphone Apps
It is no secret that we think language learning apps like Ling are a great way to bolster your learning experience. Apps are amongst the most convenient methods. Smartphones are nearly always at hand, so when you have a few free minutes waiting at the bus stop or while laying in bed. These are great opportunities to practice some vocabulary or try out some of the lessons. Adding to this, they are also able to test your ability to speak, write and understand text. While these apps likely should not be the only method you use, they are a great tool for improving your ability a little bit at a time.
Ling is designed to make language learning as easy, fun, and accessible as possible. Using a variety of mini games and interactive learning techniques, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the Khmer language using just your smartphone. Whether you’re a complete beginner and want to learn the basics of the language, or you’re already fluent and want to learn advanced vocabulary or brush up on your knowledge, our Ling Khmer app is able to help.
Traditional language lessons can be boring, dull and no fun at all. That is why we’ve made the learning process fun by using puzzles, games, challenges and quizzes to teach you how to read, write and speak in Khmer. Ling uses native Khmer speakers to help you perfect your pronunciation. We have also made sure to give Ling users the best value possible, offering over 50 languages from just one app. You can even try out the Ling language learning app for free and see if it is right for you. Download and try it out today.
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FAQs
What app teaches Khmer? ›
Ligo is a platform that allows users to learn basic Khmer by repeating phonics/sounds while learning the culture. There are many learning techniques provided in the app to make it more convenient. The user can practice speaking with the app since the app also has a function to correct your pronunciation.
Does Duolingo teach Khmer? ›While learning a moderate amount of French or Spanish before moving may be easy, Khmer is not on Duolingo.
Where can you learn Khmer? ›If you're looking to learn Khmer, one of the most well-regarded courses is at Royal University of Phnom Penh's Institute of Foreign Languages. The course, Khmer for Foreigners, teaches reading, writing, and speaking the language.
Is Khmer one of the hardest language? ›Khmer is a truly difficult language for Westerners to learn, harder than Mandarin to speak, and harder than anything other than Chinese or Japanese to read. There are several difficulties. First, many of the vowel sounds are unlike anything in a European language and are only subtly different from one another.
How long will it take to learn Khmer? ›It might take at least 3 years for them to be able to read and write Khmer, yet they still might not be able to read and write advanced or academic words or articles until they upgrade to a higher level of education, for example, 7th or 8th grade.
What app does Cambodia use? ›In 2021, Telegram and Line were recorded the highest downloaded apps in Cambodia than WhatsApp.
Is Cambodia fluent in English? ›While English is widely spoken in Cambodia, the majority of the population doesn't speak it. The official language is Khmer, but the majority of the population also speaks French and some older people can understand it.
What is Kita app? ›kita is for you by us. This app was developed for the community in mind as a platform for property owners and residents. As intended to serve communities, this app will not only be limited to property developer purchasers but open to the public.
What language is Khmer closest to? ›It is similar to Thai and Chinese, but it is more difficult to read than either. The difference between these languages is the spelling of certain words. In both languages, the word “khmer” has the same pronunciation as the word in Thai, but it is pronounced a bit differently.
Is Khmer similar to Sanskrit? ›Khmer language was influenced by Sanskrit and Pali languages which entered Cambodia duringn ancient times along with Hinduism and Buddhism, and thereafter, these languages have enriched Cambodian culture. Sanskrit, in particular, was a great inspiration for the Khmer scholars in the past.
How many people in the world speak Khmer? ›
The Khmer language (native name: ខ្មែរ, ខេមរភាសា, ភាសាខ្មែរ) has its roots in the Austroasiatic language family. With a share of around 89%, it is most widespread in Cambodia. A total of about 18.5 million people worldwide speak Khmer as their mother tongue.
Can you say hi in Cambodia? ›When meeting, Cambodians will Som Pas and say Choum Reap Sur (Hello). When departing, again they will Som Pas and say Choum Reap Lir(Goodbye). Cambodians use Som Pas for greeting and to display respect.
Is Khmer still spoken? ›Khmer is the most widely spoken language in the country. French is still spoken as a second language by many older Cambodians, and is also the language of instruction in some schools and universities that are funded by the government of France.
Who speaks Khmer in the world? ›Khmer language, also called Cambodian, Mon-Khmer language spoken by most of the population of Cambodia, where it is the official language, and by some 1.3 million people in southeastern Thailand, and also by more than a million people in southern Vietnam.
What are the 3 most hardest languages? ›- Mandarin Chinese. Interestingly, the hardest language to learn is also the most widely spoken native language in the world. ...
- Arabic. ...
- Polish. ...
- Russian. ...
- Turkish. ...
- Danish.
3. Japanese Comes In The List Of Top 10 Hardest Languages To Learn. Belonging to the top 10 hardest languages to learn, Japanese is more comfortable speaking compared to Mandarin, but what makes it exist in this list? Japanese has a wide range of alphabets that need to be learned before writing in this language.
What is the most unpopular language? ›Also known as Tetawo, the Tanema language is again only spoken by one person, Lainol Nalo, on the island of Vanikoro, in the easternmost province of the Solomon Islands. The population of the island is around 150, most of whom speak the related language of Tetau and speak some Tanema as a second language.
What is the hardest language to learn? ›Across multiple sources, Mandarin Chinese is the number one language listed as the most challenging to learn. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center puts Mandarin in Category IV, which is the list of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers.
How long is the Khmer alphabet? ›The language with the most letters is Khmer (Cambodian), with 74 (including some without any current use).
How can I learn the Khmer alphabet? ›- 1) Sing alphabet songs. ...
- 2) Play letter matching games. ...
- 3) Open a new 'alphabet box' each week. ...
- 3) Use interdisciplinary learning with each letter, to strengthen letter associations. ...
- 4) If you use flashcards to teach the alphabet, use logical ones.
Is Vela app free? ›
From $5/month. 7-day free trial.
Which free VPN has Cambodia server? ›...
Apps Available:
- PC.
- Mac.
- IOS.
- Android.
- Linux.
| Expense | U.S. $ |
|---|---|
| Rent: (furnished two-bedroom apartment) | $381 |
| High-speed internet | $19 |
| Pay TV (standard package) | $5 |
| Electricity (including regular A/C) | $92 |
Cambodia has changed its name several times. Between 1953 and 1970, the country was renamed the Kingdom of Cambodia and then Khmer Republic till 1975. Under the communist rule from 1975 to 1979, it was referred to as Democratic Kampuchea.
Is Khmer an old language? ›Belonging to the Mon-Khmer language family, which includes other languages and dialects spoken in parts of Myanmar and the Malay world as well as in Cambodia, Khmer is one of the oldest languages of Southeast Asia.
Is Nichi free? ›Free to move and zoom the photos stickers, text, etc. Nichi is more than a collage board. Join Nichi PRO, you are free to use all the materials of Nichi.
What is Hayat app? ›Official app of web portal hayat.ba. Watch all Hayat TV shows and best dramas with subscription. Covering all the info you need to be always up to date with news, your favorite shows and happenings.
Is Kissasian free app? ›It is one of the most popular online-based platforms where the users can watch movies, tv-series, etc in HD quality for free.
How old is Khmer? ›| Old Khmer | |
|---|---|
| Era | 7th to 15th century |
| Language family | Austroasiatic Khmeric Old Khmer |
| Early forms | Proto-Austroasiatic Proto-Khmeric |
| Writing system | Khmer Script |
While the Khmer language is considered rare, we work with it on a semi-regular basis in the translation work we do for varying clients around the United States. If your population includes Khmer speakers, we'd be happy to discuss with you how to reach them through translation services.
What race are Khmer? ›
Khmer people (Khmer: ជនជាតិខ្មែរ, Chônchéatĕ Khmêr [cɔnciət kʰmae]), also known as Cambodian people (Khmer: ប្រជាជនកម្ពុជា។, Brachachn Kampouchea), are a Southeast Asian ethnic group native to Cambodia. They comprise over 90% of Cambodia's population of 17 million.
Is Khmer like Thai? ›The truth is that Thai and Khmer are from different language families but share quite a large amount of vocabulary.
Is Cambodia mostly Hindu? ›Cambodia is predominantly Buddhist with 80% of the population being Theravada Buddhist, 1% Christian and the majority of the remaining population follow Islam, atheism, or animism. Buddhist nun at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Why is Cambodia famous? ›Because of its cultural heritage. Home of the Khmer Empire, Cambodia offers a unique experience to every tourist. Two different experiences wait for you: the magnificent past of the Khmer Empire in Siem Reap and the recent past of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh.
Is Cambodia a 3rd world country? ›Cambodia is technically a third world country and is one of the poorest nation's in the world. About a third of its citizens live on less than a dollar a day. Farming is the main industry for these people and there is a level of subsistence living where they grow what they need and have trouble affording extra items.
What are people from Khmer called? ›Khmer, also called Cambodian, or Kampuchean, any member of an ethnolinguistic group that constitutes most of the population of Cambodia. Smaller numbers of Khmer also live in southeastern Thailand and the Mekong River delta of southern Vietnam.
Are all Cambodian Khmer? ›The largest of the ethnic groups in Cambodia are the Khmer, who comprise approximately 90% of the total population and primarily inhabit the lowland Mekong subregion and the central plains.
What does Sok Sabai mean? ›'Sok sabai' is a traditional Khmer greeting, meaning 'How are you?
How do you apologize in Cambodian? ›1. សុំទោស (som tous) This is the basic and most common way to say sorry in Khmer.
Which country is called Khmer? ›Cambodia (/kæmˈboʊdiə/ ( listen); also Kampuchea /ˌkæmpʊˈtʃiːə/; Khmer: កម្ពុជា, Kâmpŭchéa [ˈkampuciə]), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 square miles), bordered by ...
How do you say thank you in Cambodian language? ›
“Akun” has been the word of the day since our arrival in Cambodia. It is the traditional Cambodian way of saying 'Thank you' (in Khmer, the language of Cambodia) by placing the palms of the hands together like in a praying gesture.
When was Khmer born? ›Origin of the Khmers
Ancestors of the early Khmer are believed to have arrived in the Angkor area between 5,000 and 10,000 years ago.
Khmer is written from left to right. Words within the same sentence or phrase are generally run together with no spaces between them. Consonant clusters within a word are "stacked", with the second (and occasionally third) consonant being written in reduced form under the main consonant.
Are Khmer Vietnamese? ›...
Khmer Krom.
| ជនជាតិខ្មែរក្រោម người Khmer Nam Bộ | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| Other countries | 6,000 (1999) |
| Languages | |
| Khmer, Vietnamese | |
Ling uses native Khmer speakers to help you perfect your pronunciation. We have also made sure to give Ling users the best value possible, offering over 50 languages from just one app.
What is your name in Khmer? ›Chhmua ei? [cham-moo-ey] – What is your name? This is an essential phrase for forging friendships with locals.
Is Cambodian the same as Khmer? ›Khmer, also known as Cambodian, is the language of the Khmer people and the official language of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Do people still speak Khmer? ›Khmer is spoken by some 13 million people in Cambodia, where it is the official language. It is also a second language for most of the minority groups and indigenous hill tribes there.
How do Khmer greet? ›Cambodians traditionally greet each other with palms together, in a manner of prayer. They lift up their hands to the chest level and bow slightly. This is called Som Pas. In general, the higher the hands and lower the bow, the more respect is being shown.
What is the A to Z alphabet? ›The English Alphabet consists of 26 letters: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z.
How do you count to 5 in Khmer? ›
- 1 – muy.
- 2 – pi.
- 3 – bai.
- 4 – buhn.
- 5 – prum.
- Now, that we have that in place, the rule to remember the numbers 6 through 9 is the '5+n' format.
- So 6 is 5 + 1 which is prum muy.
- We have:
Cambodian: written កែវ from a Khmer word meaning e.g. 'crystal'.
What does Koh mean in Khmer? ›Koh (កោះ Kaôh [kɑh]), a Khmer word meaning 'island', found in names of islands of Cambodia. Koh (เกาะ), a Thai loanword from Khmer meaning 'island', found in names of islands of Thailand.
What does Dara mean in Khmer? ›In Khmer, Thai and Lao, Dara is a unisex name meaning "star". In Punjabi, Dara means "leader". In Irish, Dara can mean either "oak" or "wise". Dara is also frequently used in Ireland (and the United States), as either a masculine or a feminine given name, and it also occurs as a surname.