The occasion of a new monarch is as good a time as any to brush up on our 'king language'.
Spoken Khmer is divided into language used for everyday situations, for speaking with monks and for the king. Understandably, only a small percentage of Cambodians are fluent in king-speak and even among them there is some debate as to how formal a conversation with the king should be.
The Post has compiled this starter lesson.
King's name with full title
Preah Karona Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni
Your Majesty (short version)
Karona chea ang machah
Hello
Som krab thvay bangkom
Welcome back to Cambodia (Note: this may be considered impolite to say to the king)
Thvay preah por preah ang trong yeang tralop chol meatok protes vench
How are you?
Preahreach sokhakpeap preah ang yang na
Nice to meet you (full version)
Tul preah bangkom mean khdey romperb dael preah karona sop preah ha'rutei reach chea nunhat aowie tul preah bangkom krab bangkom kuol
Nice to meet you (short version)
Som krab thvay bangkom
I wish Your Majesty long life
Som thvay preahpor preah karona chea ang machah chivit damkol lerthbong preah bat samdech preah boromneath Norodom Sihamoni mean preah jun yurn yu
I wish Your Majesty good health
Som thvay preahpor preah karona chea ang machah chivit damkol lerthbong preah bat samdech preah boromneath Norodom Sihamoni mean preahreach sokhapeap boribo
I (females)
Knyom machah
I (males)
Tul bangkom
Please
Sop preahreach ha'ruter preah ang machah
Thank you
Som thlaeng amnor preahkun
Yes
Preah por machah (females), Karonavises or Konases (males)
No
(There is no word to politely deny the king, so try the following...)
I understand that, but...
Som preah karona preahreach jertean toh, pontai...
Goodbye
Thvay bangkom lea
(Translation by Vong Sokheng, Keo Remy, Ly Morivan)
