Although basic English is understood in the cities in Cambodia, and older generations learned French at school (and still master the language of Molière), it is important to speak a few words of Khmer to engage with the Cambodian people and thereby make the most of your stay.
A few words of Khmer vocabulary :
Hello : (ជំរាបសួរ) johm riab sua
Good Bye : (លាសិនហើយ) lia suhn hao-y
Sorry : (សុំទោស) sohm toh
Please : sohm
Thank you : (ឣរគុណ) aw kohn
Yes : baat/jaa (masculin/féminin)
No : te
How are you ? : (អ្នកសុខសប្បាយទេ ?) niak sohk sabaay te ?
I am fine : (ខ្ងុំសុខសប្បាយទេ) kh’nyohm sohk sabaay
What is your name ? : (អ្នកឈ្មោះអី ?) niak ch’muah ei ?
My name is : (ខ្ងុំឈ្មោះ) kh’nyohm ch’muah
I don’t understand : (មិនយល់ទេ) kh’nyohm muhn yuhl te