ខ្មៅ
kmav
The Khmer word for black is ខ្មៅ (kmav).
ខ្មៅ is used to describe something that is black by absorbing all light. It functions as both an adjective to describe an object and as a noun to refer to the color black itself.
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kmav
Did you know?
- When describing coffee as ខ្មៅ, Cambodians often imply the drink is served without condensed milk, which is the standard way coffee is served in the country.
- The word ខ្មៅ is etymologically linked to the concept of being 'dirty' rather than a specific color.
- When used in certain colloquial expressions, the word can imply a sense of gloom or bad luck.
Examples in context
- គាត់ផឹកកាហ្វេខ្មៅរហូត។He always drinks black coffee.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use ខ្មៅ when describing coffee.Tatoeba #11475265 by Vethya, translation #4092046 by andymakespasta
- ខ្ញុំចូលចិត្តឡានពណ៌ខ្មៅ។khnhom jol chet lan poa khmao.I like black cars.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new bag.
- វិបុល Vibolមើលកាបូបថ្មីរបស់ខ្ញុំមក!meul kabob thmei robos khnhom mok!Look at my new bag!
- ចិន្តា Chindaវាមានពណ៌ខ្មៅស្អាតណាស់។vea mean po khmao s-at nah.It is a very beautiful black color.
- វិបុល Vibolអរគុណ ចិន្តា!orkun Chinda!Thank you, Chinda!
- ចិន្តា Chindaតើវិបុលទិញវានៅឯណា?tae Vibol tinh vea nov ae na?Where did Vibol buy it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black” translations and entries ខ្មៅ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ខ្មៅ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
