Basic Asians Phrases for Easier Travel

The language barrier - one of the biggest hurdles we must jump as tourists. Asian languages are more often than not unrelated, so unlike trying to communicate in Europe, it's difficult to pick up on context clues. Not to mention, the customs, beliefs, pleasantries, and decorum is very different from that of Western countries.

One of Kosher Riverboat Cruises many tour options is to explore the Mekong River that runs through Cambodia and Vietnam, so before you embark on this Jewish travel tour, give yourself a crash course on simple words or phrases that you might need when you're on your tour excursions.

Vietnamese

As Guangning Tian said, Chinese to Vietnamese is like Latin to English. Up to 70% Vietnamese lexicons, are borrowed from Chinese, mostly Middle Chinese. Other than that, they belong to a different language family. The grammar, however, is completely different.

Basic phrases for greetings

• Hello = Xin Chao (Sin chow)
• How are you? = Ban Khoe Khong (Ban Kwe Khom)
• Thank you = Cam on (kahm uhn)
• Sorry = Xin Loi (Sin Loy)
• No Problem = Khong co gi (Khong koh zi)
• Goodbye = Tam Biet (Tarm Byeet)
• No, Thank You! = Khong! Cam On (Khom, kahm uhn)
• Can you speak English? = Ban noi tieng anh duoc khong? (Banh noi thien an durkh khom)
• How old are you? = Ban bao nhieu tuoi (Ban ban nyew twoi)

Basic phrases for shopping

• How much? = Bao nhieu? (Baow nyew)
• Too expensive = Mac Qua (Mac wa)
• Can you reduce the price? = Giam gia duoc khong? (zam za duoc khom)
• Do you want to sell? = co ban khong? ( cor ban kohm?)
• I want to buy = toi muon mua (Toi mu-on mua)
• One size larger = mot size lon hon ( Mot size lunh hunh)
• One size smaller = mot size nho hon (Mot size nyunh hunh)

Basic phrases for eating at a restaurant 

• Excuse me (to waitress) = Chi oi
• Excuse me (to waiter) = Anh oi
• I am hungry = Toi doi bung qua (Toi doi bhung wa)
• What is it? = Cai gi vay? (kai zi vai)
• The bill please = Tinh Tien (Din ting)
• May I have the menu = cho toi cai menu duoc khong (cho toy khai menu duuc khom)

Khmer (Cambodian)

Cambodia has a single official language which is Khmer. It is spoken by nearly 90% of the country's population. The language is used in government administration, imparting education at all levels, media, etc.

Basic Phrases for Greetings

• Welcome = Soum swa-kumm
  
  Hello
• Formal = Chum reap suor (as you say this, put your hands together in front of your heart and bow your head)
• Informal =  Sous-dey
  
  Goodbye
• Formal = Chum reap leah
• Informal = Leah sin houwy
• Good morning = Arunn sous-dey
• Good afternoon = Tiveah sous-dey
• Good night = Reatrey sous-dey 

Basic conversation

What is your name?

• Formal = Lohk mean chmuah tah much?
• Informal = Neak chmuah ay?
  
• My name = Khñomm chmuah _____.
  
  How are you?
• Formal = Tae lohk sokh sabbay chea teh?
• Informal = Sokh sabbay chea teh?
• Where are you from? = Niak mao pii prateh naa?
• I’m pleased to meet you = Khnom trawk or nah dael bahn skoal lohk.
• How do you say…in Khmer? = kh’mai tha mait?
• I don’t understand = Min yuhl teh.
• How much is this? = Tlay bonmaan?
• What time is it? = Maong bon maan?

Basic phrases for eating at a restaurant

• I’d like to order = Khnhom chng kom m ng mhoub…
• Fish amok – the national dish of Cambodia, a fish curry
• Bai sach chrouk – pork and rice
• Cha houy teuk – a jelly-like dessert
• Nom banh chok – khmer noodles
• Kdam chaa – fried crab
• Ang dtray-meuk – grilled squid
• Samlar Machu – Cambodian sour soup

Don't let the language barrier inhibit you from having a great time! Asia is a popular destination during our Jewish tours because they have some of the most hospitable people in the world.

For more information on Kosher River Cruise's tour dates and destinations, visit their website and leave them a message.