Language/Central-khmer/Vocabulary/Asking-for-Directions
As a traveler, knowing how to ask for and understand directions is an essential skill. In this lesson, you will learn how to navigate Central Khmer-speaking regions by learning the vocabulary for locations, landmarks, and common phrases. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to ask for directions, understand directions, and confidently explore your surroundings.
Vocabulary
Landmarks
In order to ask for directions, it's important to be familiar with common landmarks in Central Khmer-speaking regions. Here are some of the most common landmarks you may encounter:
| Central Khmer | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ផ្សារ (psa) | psa | market |
| ផ្សារដែនទេស (psa daein teis) | psa day-en tay | bus station |
| ម៉ាស៊ីនបម្រើស (masin bamprou) | ma-seen bahm-praw | airport |
| ហាង (haeng) | heng | shop/store |
| ប៉ូលីស៊ី (polisi) | po-lee-see | police station |
| សាលារៀន (salarean) | sa-la-raen | school |
| គោកស្រូវ (kauk srouv) | kaw-srov | intersection/crossroads |
| ផ្សារមានជ័យ (psa maen jey) | psa mae-en jei | train station |
Directions
In order to ask for directions, you will need to be familiar with some common phrases and questions. Here are some of the most useful questions and phrases to use when asking for directions:
- Excuse me: សូមអរុណយ៉ាងខ្លះ (soum arun yang khlaw)
- Where is...?: ...នៅក្នុងណែនាំ? (...neak num niemaa?)
- How do I get to...?: ខ្ញុំត្រូវដាក់ទៅ...ដើម្បីទទួលបានបងប្អូននេះទេ? (knhom trov dak tao...dambey tuk toul banh ponh ney?)
- Turn left: ត្រឡប់ទៅស្តាំ (tralop tao stam)
- Turn right: ត្រឡប់ទៅស្ដាំ (tralop tao stad)
- Go straight: ទៅក្រោយបាន (taov kraoy banh)
- It's over there: វានៅទីនេះ (va ny ti nih)
Asking for Help
If you're lost and need help, there are some common phrases you can use to ask for assistance:
- Help me: ជួយខ្ញុំផង (juh knhom pong)
- I'm lost: ខ្ញុំខ្វះទំនិញ (knhom khvah tminh)
- Can you help me?: អ្នកអាចជួយខ្ញុំបានឬទេ? (niak aac juh knhom banh ar?)
- I don't understand: ខ្ញុំមិនយល់ទេ (knhom minyul teh)
Transportation
In Central Khmer-speaking regions, there are various modes of transportation that you may encounter. Here are some of the most common modes of transportation, along with their Central Khmer names:
| Central Khmer | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ម៉ូតូ (moto) | moh-toh | motorcycle |
| កង់ដែក (kang daek) | kang dayk | bicycle |
| រថយន្ត (rata-yh-noot) | ruh-ta-yuh-noot | car |
| បណ្តុះសម្រាប់ជួល (bando-h samrab joul) | ban-doh sam-rap juh | rent a car |
| អាស៊ីសាអង់គ្លេស (ah-si-sa-angkleh-s) | ah-see-sa-ahn-gleh-s | airplane |
| អុកវ៉ាន់ (ouk-van) | ohk-wan | boat |
| រថភ្លើង (rut-phlerng) | root-play-ng | train |
Practice Exercises
- Using the vocabulary and phrases above, write a dialogue between a lost traveler and a local resident who is helping them find their way. Make sure to include common landmarks and phrases used to give directions.
- Practice asking for and giving directions with a friend or language partner who speaks Central Khmer fluently.
- Watch videos or listen to audio recordings of Central Khmer speakers giving directions to different locations, and practice understanding and following the directions.
Conclusion
Asking for and giving directions is an essential skill for travelers visiting Central Khmer-speaking regions. By learning common landmarks, useful phrases and questions, and transportation vocabulary, you will be able to confidently navigate your surroundings and enjoy your travels with ease. Practice these skills regularly, and before you know it, you'll be able to navigate any Central Khmer-speaking region like a pro.