Cambodia Language: What Do They Speak in Cambodia?
The official language of Cambodia is Khmer. In Khmer, the country is called แแแแแปแแถ. Khmer is used in government, education, media and everyday life across the country.
๐ฃ๏ธ Language at a Glance
About the Khmer Language
Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and one of the oldest recorded languages in Southeast Asia, with stone inscriptions dating back to the 7th century. It was the administrative language of the Khmer Empire that built Angkor, and centuries of royal and religious prestige left a deep layer of Sanskrit and Pali vocabulary, especially in formal and Buddhist contexts. Khmer belongs to the Austroasiatic family and is most closely related to Mon, spoken in Myanmar and Thailand. Despite sharing a Brahmic-derived script and centuries of contact, it is not related to Thai or Lao, which come from the entirely separate Kra-Dai family.
The Khmer script: How Khmer is Written
Khmer is written in the Khmer script, an abugida that developed from the Pallava script of southern India. Guinness World Records lists it as the alphabet with the most letters: it has dozens of consonants, each with an inherent vowel, plus two full series of vowel signs and many subscript consonant forms. Like Lao, it is traditionally written left to right with spaces separating phrases rather than individual words.
Is Khmer a Tonal Language?
Unlike its tonal neighbours Thai, Lao and Vietnamese, Khmer is not a tonal language. Meaning is carried by vowels and consonants rather than by pitch, which removes one of the hardest hurdles that learners face with the surrounding languages.
๐จ๏ธ Useful Khmer Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Khmer, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Khmer to Learn?
Khmer is often considered more approachable than its tonal neighbours because it has no tones, and its grammar avoids conjugation, gender and plurals. The main obstacles for English speakers are the large, unfamiliar script and a rich vowel system with many sounds that have no direct English equivalent.
Language Tips for Visitors to Cambodia
The official language of Cambodia is Khmer, which may be unfamiliar to many international travellers. While English speakers can often be found in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas, it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to use the local language, even if imperfect. Simple greetings, thank-yous and asking for directions in Khmer will go a long way. The country is officially known as แแแแแปแแถ in Khmer, and the international dialling code is +855.
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Cambodia
What language do they speak in Cambodia?
The official language of Cambodia is Khmer.
Is English spoken in Cambodia?
English is not an official language in Cambodia. The main language is Khmer. English may be spoken in tourist areas.
What is Cambodia called in its own language?
Cambodia is called "แแแแแปแแถ" in Khmer.
What writing system does Khmer use?
Khmer is written in the Khmer script. Khmer is written in the Khmer script, an abugida that developed from the Pallava script of southern India. Guinness World Records lists it as the alphabet with the most letters: it has dozens of consonants, each with an inherent vowel, plus two full series of vowel signs and many subscript consonant forms. Like Lao, it is traditionally written left to right with spaces separating phrases rather than individual words.
Is Khmer a tonal language?
Unlike its tonal neighbours Thai, Lao and Vietnamese, Khmer is not a tonal language. Meaning is carried by vowels and consonants rather than by pitch, which removes one of the hardest hurdles that learners face with the surrounding languages.
How do you say hello in Khmer?
"Hello" in Khmer is "suostei / chom reap suor".
Is Khmer hard to learn?
Khmer is often considered more approachable than its tonal neighbours because it has no tones, and its grammar avoids conjugation, gender and plurals. The main obstacles for English speakers are the large, unfamiliar script and a rich vowel system with many sounds that have no direct English equivalent.
How many official languages does Cambodia have?
Cambodia has one official language: Khmer.
Do I need to speak Khmer to visit Cambodia?
It is not required but learning basic phrases in Khmer is strongly recommended and appreciated.
What is the calling code for Cambodia?
The international dialling code for Cambodia is +855.
What is the population of Cambodia?
Cambodia has a population of approximately 17.2M, all of whom use Khmer as the official language.