ក្រុមបងធំ
krom bong thom
The English word 'gang' is translated into Khmer as ក្រុមបងធំ (krom bong thom).
This term is used to describe a group of criminals who band together for mutual protection.
Meaning: group of criminals who band together for mutual protection (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ក្រុមបងធំ literally means 'big brother group'. In this context, the term 'bong thom' (big brother) serves as a colloquial way to refer to a leader or boss within a criminal context.
How do you pronounce it?
krom bong thom
Did you know?
- The word បង is gender-neutral and can be used by both men and women, meaning a ក្រុមបងធំ could theoretically be led by a powerful female figure.
- Cambodian society places a heavy emphasis on 'face' and hierarchy, which is why a criminal gang is framed as a family unit under a 'big brother' rather than a random association of peers.
- If you were to say បងធំ (bong thom) to a shopkeeper, they might take it as a compliment to their status rather than an accusation of being a gang leader.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about news in their neighborhood.
- សុខ Sokតើអ្នកបានឮរឿងក្រុមបងធំទេ?tae neak ban lue reuang krom bong thom te?Have you heard about the gang?
- ចិន្តា Chindaឮហើយ ពួកគេបង្កការភ័យខ្លាចណាស់។lue haey pouk ke bongkor kar phay khlach nah.Yes, they are causing a lot of fear.
- សុខ Sokខ្ញុំមិនហ៊ានដើរកាត់ផ្លប់នោះទេ។khnhom min hien daer kat phlov noh te.I don't dare to walk down that street.
- ចិន្តា Chindaខ្ញុំក៏ដូចគ្នា ត្រូវប្រយ័ត្នខ្លួនឱ្យច្រើន។khnhom ko doch knea trau proyat khluon oy chreun.Me too, we must be very careful.
