Are you struggling to find the next topic to enhance your vocabulary skills in the Khmer language? Don’t worry. We have prepared this blog full of unique words and phrases related to moods and emotions in Khmer to help your speak the Khmer language better.
Moods and emotions are a vital part of our life. It’s the combination of different sentiments that helps us perceive some meaning in our lives and relate to others. Thus, learning some emotional words, such as sadness- ទុក្ខព្រួយ, happiness- សុភមង្គល, fear- ការភ័យខ្លាច, etc., in the Khmer language will only strengthen your language core and allow you to experience the Khmer culture more profoundly.
Moreover, imagine you are at a hotel in Cambodia with poor service. What words would you use to express those particular emotions? Pretty sure you already know what to say in your native language, but to convey those feelings in the Cambodian language is the aim here. So, if you want to learn more about mood words and mental health in Khmer, continue reading!
Page Content
- Mental Health In Cambodia
- Moods In The Khmer Language
- Emotions And Feelings In Khmer
- Primary Moods And Emotions In Khmer
- Different Feelings And Emotions In Khmer
- How To Talk Your Emotions
Mental Health In Cambodia
Before we drag ourselves into the world of emotion and mood words, let us have a brief about the mental health status in Cambodia.
Talking about different emotions, we ultimately come to mental health status that is still not upgraded in many countries, and Cambodia is one of them. In fact, about 40% of Cambodian locals suffer from mental health problems and high post-traumatic disorders. Such high levels of emotional problems and neglect of mental health institutions have left many in an undesired state for long years.
Moreover, due to society’s negligence toward emotional breakdowns and mood disorders, suicide rates have risen far more than expected in the past few years. Nevertheless, the country’s associations have been engaging in an ongoing debate trying to resolve such instances and bring forth awareness among people regarding mental health issues and their prevention. So, learning some essential moods and emotions in the Khmer language will only open up more about the feelings in the country that few locals are still weary of pronouncing themselves.
Moods In The Khmer Language
In different languages, moods are described differently. Let us try to understand “moods” in Khmer. As we know, moods are unlike emotions, and they are not the reaction we give to situational change. The mood is a general feeling, an affective state that is less specific and intense.
អារម្មណ៍ is the Khmer word for “Mood,” and it is pronounced as arommo. Moods are broadly divided into positive and negative moods where positive emotions collective form a positive mood- អារម្មណ៍វិជ្ជមាន (arommo vichchomean) and negative emotions collectively form a negative mood- អារម្មណ៍អវិជ្ជមាន (arommo avichchman).
Emotions And Feelings In Khmer
The Khmer translations for these words ironically are the same in emotions and feelings. It is known as អារម្មណ៍– arommo, exactly like the previous word. However, when we describe an emotion, it is something completely different.
Emotions are reactions to specific situations. They are situational, and they are more intense than moods. They are short-term and are directed towards a particular thing or person. Feelings are birthed from different emotions, and a cluster of feelings leads to an internal state of mind that calls in a mood.
Primary Moods And Emotions In Khmer
Now let us dive into the primary emotions list in Khmer and get a brief description of each translation. Later, we will figure out more feelings under distinctive categories of emotion. Let’s begin.
1. Happiness – សុភមង្គល
The first emotion that we all wish to go through every day is សុភមង្គល, pronounced as sophomongkol. It is one of the primary emotional words that describe a pleasant and calm internal state. It is the word you must know as it will help you express your senses as you witness the beauty of Cambodia.
2. Sadness – ទុក្ខព្រួយ
The opposite of happiness is what we call ទុក្ខព្រួយ, pronounced as toukkh pruoy. Be it the ill-treatment from the locals or overwhelming attitudes in a new country, it is totally normal if you may feel a little under the weather. It is not always that you can feel happiness. Thus, sadness or toukkh pruoy is an essential word you must accept and use in times of need to make yourself feel light.
3. Fear – ការភ័យខ្លាច
Another intense emotion that outsiders quite often feel is fear, called ការភ័យខ្លាច- karphyokhlach. The presence of fear is inevitable, beginning from the airport to meeting your new boss. It is a natural feeling that we all are supposed to go through whenever we meet unexpected circumstances or new surroundings in an entirely different country. Karphyokhlach also makes people more strong, and if you feel the same about your trip to Cambodia, pretty sure you will be all right.
4. Anger – កំហឹង
Anger, known as កំហឹង- kamhoeng, is also a primary emotion that we go through at least once a day. It is an overwhelming emotion that comes out when we face something we dislike. Such a feeling will be familiar when you visit a new country, especially when you are new to the rules.
5. Nervous – ភ័យ
On a similar line, being nervous or phy is also quite normal. Just like how examination halls can bring up all the shivers in our bones, even visiting your new colleagues, boss, or even your long-distance friends can make you nervous. But the best way to fill in the blanks with relief is by sharing and letting out your emotions. And Khmer people are pretty friendly to understand what you are going through.
6. Confusion – ភាពច្របូកច្របល់
Do you ever feel confused for no reason? I do that all the time. And when we are speaking about new locality and people, pheap chrabaukachrabl is entirely human. From the beautiful markets to the vibrant costumes, everything will confuse you at first glance and simultaneously mesmerize you.
7. Surprise – ភ្ញាក់ផ្អើល
Apart from feeling fear, confusion, and anger, surprise, known as ភ្ញាក់ផ្អើល- phnheakphaael, is one of the common emotions that we all go through. It can be seen positively when something unexpectedly good happens or negatively when something goes wrong. Such an influence will depend on the situation and condition at the particular moment you are present.
8. Excitement – រំភើប
If nothing, one thing that will be constant during your journey is រំភើប. Pronounced as rompheub, excitement is a must-know word for you, and everything is fun and exciting. From the seas to the mountains, you will undoubtedly enjoy Cambodia.
Different Feelings And Emotions In Khmer
Now we will go through all the types of emotions that come under specific categories, from positive to negative. Learning these will increase your vocabulary and make you a better Khmer language speaker. Please give them a good read.
Happy – រីករាយ – Rikreay
| English | Khmer | Pronunciation |
| Bliss | សុភមង្គល | sophomongkol |
| Delightful | រីករាយ | rikreay |
| Enthusiastic | រីករាយ | rikreay |
| Free | ឥតគិតថ្លៃ | itkitathlai |
| Inspired | បំផុសគំនិត | bamphosakoumnit |
| Joy | ភាពរីករាយ | pheap rikreay |
| Lively | រស់រវើក | rsarveuk |
| Satisfied | ពេញចិត្ត | penhchet |
Sad – សោកសៅ – Saoksaw
| English | Khmer | Pronunciation |
| Anguish | ទុក្ខព្រួយ | toukkh pruoy |
| Depressed | ធ្លាក់ទឹកចិត្ត | thleaktuk chet |
| Disappointed | ខកចិត្ត | khakchet |
| Discouraged | បាក់ទឹកចិត្ | baktukchet |
| Despair | អស់សង្ឃឹម | asasangkhum |
| Gloomy | អាប់អួរ | abuor |
| Grief | ទុក្ខព្រួយ | toukkh pruoy |
| Hopeless | អស់សង្ឃឹម | asasangkhum |
| Lonely | ឯកា | eka |
| Sorrow | ទុក្ខព្រួយ | toukkh pruoy |
Fear – ការភ័យខ្លាច – Karphyokhlach
| English | Khmer | Pronunciation |
| Afraid | ខ្លាច | khlach |
| Anxious | ថប់បារម្ភ | thbbarom |
| Ashamed | ខ្មាស់ | khma sa |
| Frightened | ភ័យខ្លាច | phyokhlach |
| Panic | ការភ័យខ្លាច | karphyokhlach |
| Scared | ភ័យខ្លាច | phyokhlach |
| Tensed | តានតឹង | tantoeng |
| Worried | បារម្ភ | barom |
Guilt – កំហុស – Kamhos
| English | Khmer | Pronunciation |
| Cranky | ឆ្កួត | chhkuot |
| Exhausted | ហត់នឿយ | htnuey |
| Overwhelmed | លើសលប់ | leusalb |
| Sorry | សុំទោស | somtos |
| Regret | សោកស្ដាយ | saokasday |
| Remorse | វិប្បដិសារី | vibbadesari |
Other Regular Emotions
| English | Khmer | Pronunciation |
| Bored | អផ្សុក | aphsaok |
| Calm | ស្ងប់ស្ងាត់ | sngabsngat |
| Jealous | ច្រណែន | chranen |
| Loving | ស្រលាញ់ | sralanh |
| Relaxed | សម្រាក | samreak |
| Sleepy | ងងុយគេង | ngngouykeng |
| Tender | ដេញថ្លៃ | denhothlai |
How To Talk Your Emotions
Following are the phrases that will help you talk about your emotions freely. You can learn and also memorize by heart as they are quite simple and used daily.
| English | Khmer | Pronunciation |
| I feel overwhelmed | ខ្ញុំមានអារម្មណ៍ធុញថប់ | khnhom mean arommo thounhothb |
| I feel sorry | ញុំមានអារម្មណ៍សោកស្តាយ | khnhom mean arommo saok sta y |
| I am very happy | ខ្ញុំសប្បាយចិត្តណាស់ | khnhom sabbaychett nasa |
| I am very confused | ខ្ញុំច្របូកច្របល់ណាស់។ | khnhom chrabaukachrabl nasa . |
| She looks sad | នាងមើលទៅសោកសៅ | neang meul tow saoksaw |
| I feel guilty | ញុំមានអារម្មណ៍ថាមានកំហុស | khnhom mean arommo tha mean kamhos |
| He seems to be frightened | គាត់ហាក់ដូចជាភ័យខ្លាច | keat hakdauchchea phyokhlach |
| I feel bored | ញុំមានអារម្មណ៍ថាអផ្សុក | khnhom mean arommo tha aphsaok |
| I am sleepy | ខ្ញុំងងុយគេង | khnhom ngngouykeng |
| Are you excited? | តើអ្នករំភើបទេ? | tae anak rompheub te? |
Wrapping Up!
So, now you know how to express your emotions clearly in Khmer. From feeling guilty to the happiest on earth, you can convey all your thoughts and feelings without overthinking. Moreover, it has increased your vocabulary ten times more than earlier, making communication much more accessible.
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