សួស្តីម៉ាក់
The English phrase "hi mom" is translated into Khmer as សួស្តីម៉ាក់.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This phrase is informal and suitable for a close relationship between a child and a mother.
Did you know?
- The word ម៉ាក់ is actually a loanword from French 'maman'. This reflects the colonial history of Cambodia and the shift toward more modern, urban terminology.
- The greeting សួស្តី is a relatively modern addition to the language. Historically, people greeted family members by asking if they had eaten yet rather than saying 'hello'.
- To show true respect when greeting a mother, a Khmer speaker would traditionally perform the 'Sampeah', placing their palms together in a prayer-like gesture.
Examples in context
- សួស្តីម៉ាក់ ថ្ងៃនេះយ៉ាងម៉េចដែរ?suostey mak thngay nih yang mech dae?Hi mom, how are you today?
- សួស្តីម៉ាក់ ខ្ញុំមកដល់ហើយ។suostey mak khnhom mok dol haey.Hi mom, I have arrived.
Example conversation
A son returns home from work and greets his mother.
- រតនៈ Ratanakសួស្តីម៉ាក់!suosdei mak!Hi mom!
- ចិន្តា Chindaសួស្តីកូន សុខសប្បាយទេ?suosdei koun, sok sabbay te?Hi son, are you doing well?
- រតនៈ Ratanakបាទ សុខសប្បាយ!bat, sok sabbay!Yes, I'm doing well!
- ចិន្តា Chindaល្អហើយ តោះញ៉ាំបាយ។laor haey, toh nham bay.That's good, let's eat.
