Cambodian Language - Help with Grammar

Khmer Grammar Help

Unlike the languages of Cambodia's geographical neighbors, the Khmer language is not tonal. That is, there are no words where a difference in voice tone or pitch indicates a change in case. Also, unlike English, Cambodian words are invariable in shape even when used under different situations of tense, gender and number (plural or singular). For example the Khmer verb

'tuh-oo'

can mean

'go, goes, going, went or gone'

and the noun

'bâruh-ee'

can mean either

'cigarette or cigarettes'

Although these categories may be unambiguously stated by the use of expanded phrases, they are generally assumed by the context of the sentence.

Khmer word order is very similar to English, being SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT. However, it is important to note that Khmer modifiers (adjectives or describing words, such as big, small, round, red, fast, funny etc. or other modifying phrases) are placed after the word they modify - see the 'Modifiers' chapter. In addition, once the SUBJECT (actor or topic) has been stated, or is clear in the context of the conversation, it can be omitted from a Khmer predication (i.e.: proclamation or declaration). For example, depending on the context, the word

'tuh-oo'

can mean

'I'm going. He went. They've gone. or Let's go. etc...'

This makes the Khmer language easy for beginners to learn and put into practice, but as stated by the text Modern Spoken Cambodian, this should not lead the reader to consider the language simple or imprecise.

Khmer relies more on the syntax of the word order than the modification of word structure and therefore has several kinds of phrases which help specify a situation of tense, gender and number.

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