ខែ
khae
In Khmer, the word for months is ខែ (khae).
The word ខែ is used to refer to a month or several months. When you want to specify a particular month in a formal context, you can use the structure ខែ [Month Name]. For example, to name the months of the year, you would use មករា for January, កុម្ភៈ for February, មីនា for March, មេសា for April, ឧសភា for May, មិថុនា for June, កក្កដា for July, សីហា for August, កញ្ញា for September, តុលា for October, វិច្ឆិកា for November and ធ្នូ for December.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ខែ can mean either "month" or "moon" depending on the context in which it is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ខែ is used for both singular and plural forms without changing its shape.
How do you pronounce it?
khae
Did you know?
- Khmer uses two different calendar systems: the solar calendar for government and business, and a traditional lunar calendar for religious festivals and holidays.
- The names of the months in Khmer, such as មករា and កុម្ភៈ, are derived from Sanskrit, showing the deep influence of Indian culture on the Khmer language.
- In Cambodia, the most important 'month' is often the lunar month of April, which hosts the Khmer New Year, moving the celebration slightly based on the moon's position.
Examples in context
- ខ្ញុំរស់នៅទីនេះបានច្រើនខែហើយ។khnhom rous nov ti nis ban chreun khae haey.I have lived here for many months.
- ពួកយើងរង់ចាំច្រើនខែណាស់។puok yeung rong cham chreun khae nah.We have been waiting for many months.
Example conversation
Ratanak and Mali are discussing a travel plan.
- ម៉ាលី Malyតើអ្នកចង់ទៅលេងនៅពេលណា?Tae neak chong tov leng nov pel na?When do you want to go visit?
- រតនៈ Ratanakខ្ញុំចង់ទៅក្នុងរយៈពេលពីរខែទៀត។Knhom chong tov knong ryak pel pi khae tiet.I want to go in two months.
- ម៉ាលី Malyនោះគឺជាពេលវេលាដ៏ល្អ។Noah ku chea pel vela do l-or.That is a great time.
- រតនៈ Ratanakបាទ ខ្ញុំនឹងកក់សំបុត្រឥឡូវនេះ។Bat, knhom nung kok sombot elov nis.Yes, I will book the tickets now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ខែ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
