General Complimentary Vocabulary & Pleasantries
This section of vocabulary is good for coming, going, and making a good impressions. When you speak Khmer with Cambodian bar girls, as with anyone, being nice goes a long way, so it pays to make the effort.
Beautiful: Sa-aht
Nice Girl: Srei La-oh
Smile: Sau-it
Hair (on the head): Saw
Hello: Soo-ah Sa-Die
Goodbye: Knee Howie
See You Next Time: Joop K-nea Pail Kra-wee
Thank You: Ah-keun
I Would Like A Beer Please: K-n-yome Soom Sra Bee-ah
Would You Like A Drink?: Jong Puk Avai-avai?
Speak Khmer With Cambodian Bar Girls When Playing Pool
It seems as though almost every bar in Phnom Penh has a pool table. Even if you are not a fan of 8 ball, you’ll no doubt find yourself in a pool game with a girl at some point if you are here long enough. It always makes it a bit more interesting to make a few comments to your female pool opponent when you play. You may even understand some of what she is saying to you; a super bonus if your girl of choice does not speak a lick of English.
Win: Che-nay-ah
I/You Win: K-n-yome/Neck Che-nay-ah
Loose: Jeun
I/You Loose: K-n-yome/Neck Jeun
The Ball Went In The Pocket: Bawl Cho Low
The Ball Will Go In That Pocket: Bawl Cho Low Aie New (point at the pocket)
I/You Go First: K-n-yome/Neck Tao Tee Moo-ee
Two Shots For Me/You: Pee Dong K-n-yome/Neck
Very Good!: La-oh Na!
Lucky: Samnang
Unlucky: Ot Samnang
I/You Play Small Balls: K-n-yome/Neck Tow-it
I/You Play Big Balls: K-n-yome/Neck Tom
Speak Khmer With Cambodian Bar Girls About Sexual Stuff
Choi: Sex (vulgar, also an expletive)
Choi Kneah: Sex together
Twer Knea: Have sex (literally, do together)
Would you like to go have sex?: Jong T-wer K-nea?
Would you like to go to my house now?: Jong Tao P-teh K-n-yome?
Da: Breasts
Koo-ah: Bum (someone’s behind)
Hair: Saw
Kiss: Taup
Yam Yam: Blow job
Cum: Gin Took
Eat (swallow): Nam
Naked: Srat
Kon-dui: Vagina
Kon-daw: Penis
Negotiation and Numbers
If you plan to take a girl out of a hostess bar on a barfine, it is well advised to talk money in advance. Prices, and expectations vary wildly and you could wind up in a sticky situation at the end of the evening if you and your lady have different ideas about how much she should be paid. Be sure to speak Khmer with Cambodian bar girls to make sure they understand.
How Much (Money)?: Poon-man?
I Like You/Her But…: K-n-yome Jol-jut Neck/Koh-at Boon-tie…
That Is Expensive: T-lai Na
I Will Give (Pay)…: K-n-yome Ah-wee… (add number here)
Sorry, I’ll Leave (the negotiation) Now: Soom Tooh, K-n-yome Tao (walk away)
No Problem: Ot Pan-yah-ha
Let’s Go Together: Tao Jee-moo-ee K-neah
Khmer Backwards Slang
If you find rhyming cockney slang confusing and generally annoying, then brace yourself for this wacky Khmer variant. Cambodian people believe that it is incredibly clever, and amusing, to re-arrange the syllables of common phrases. Accordingly, when a foreigner does it, it is all the more entertaining. It is highly recommended to use this slang when you try to speak with Cambodian bar girls as it may likely result in confusion at first, then rolls of giggles once they figure out what you are saying. They really don’t expect it (with good reason). The bold is the backwards slang, the translation is the forwards words, and the brackets are the English meaning.
Sai-sa-bok: Suk-sa-buy (hello greeting)
Cha-pee-noi: Choi Pee Neck (sex with two people)
Chea Knoi: Choi Knea (sex together)
Hopefully the vocabulary, phrases and slang provided in this article will make your evening venture more fun and eventful. Commit everything to memory, or print out the article and take it along.
