Languages in Cambodia
Cambodia’s national Language is Khmer, spoken from almost anywhere in the country.
English is extremely common in Cambodia as it is their secondary language especially for the younger generation, you are too sure find someone who are more than comfortable to speaks in English.
Chinese also become more and more common in the younger generation from the social and economic impact from Chinese immigration to Cambodia after 2019.
French is less common during the modern days, but you could still find a good amount of people who speak fluent French, but the language is more common for the older generation due to the French colonial impact until 1993.
English Language
The secondary language in Cambodia that is almost spoken by everyone in younger generations.
Chinese Language
Chinese has slowly rising up to be more and more common in communication in Cambodia, most often spoken in younger generations
French Language
Not as often as English or Chinese but still rather a common language to be spoken, but more toward the older generations of people.
Greeting in Cambodia
Similar to many other cultures from others country, Cambodia are a very friendly and cheerful people in term of communication. They have verity form of greeting that are respectful, polite, and friendly to one another.
here are the three basic and proper polite and respectful way of greeting as a foreigner.
To older people
“Jum Reap Sur” (The more polite term of Sur-Sdey)
“Sur-Sdey”
simple Hi or Hello Follow by the gesture call “Sampeah” to show that you are respectful and polite.
To the same ages people or Younger
“Sur-Sdey”, Hi or Hello to people to the same age are generally fine to one another when you’re as people are more likely to take it as a friendly gesture.
To Monks
When greeting monks, it’s a must for you to do “Sampeah” gesture, held up to around your lip and bow your head, to show respect and politeness as Monks are considered to be an important figure in Cambodia due to the main religion are Buddhism.
(Sometimes you need to kneel when in Pagoda and the monk give you blessing)
Thank you, Sorry, Goodbye
Cambodia is all about politeness and kind gesture and being thankful for someone who help or assist you, here is the way to say thank you, sorry and Goodbye in Cambodia.
Thank you or “Au kun”
For foreigner, simply saying “Thank you” or “Au Kun” to people with a Sam Peah gesture and a simple head bow can already be enough to consider very polite and friendly.
Sorry or “Som Tus”
To say sorry in Cambodia, simply bow your head down slightly and said “Som Tus” or Sorry when you made a small mistake like bumping into someone or mistook someone.
Goodbye or “Jum Reap lea”
After conversation and you’re ready to head back to your home, a proper way to say goodbye in Khmer is “Jum Reap lea”.