ងូតទឹក
nguut tɨk
The English word 'shower' can be translated into Khmer as ងូតទឹក (nguut tɨk).
While technically a noun referring to a device for bathing, in common Khmer usage, ងូតទឹក functions primarily as a verb phrase meaning 'to take a shower' or 'to bathe'. There is no common distinction made between taking a shower and taking a bath in everyday speech.
Meaning: device for bathing (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
Although the term can be used as a noun, it is most frequently used as a verb phrase to describe the act of bathing.
How do you pronounce it?
nguut tɨk
Did you know?
- In traditional Cambodian homes, ងូតទឹក often refers to using a plastic bucket and a scoop to pour water over the body rather than standing under a showerhead.
- The word ងូត ('bathe') is specifically reserved for people, while animals are 'washed' using different terminology.
- In Khmer culture, the concept of 'bathing' with ងូតទឹក is often tied to the idea of purification and refreshing the spirit, not just cleaning the skin.
Example conversation
Ratanak and Chinda are talking at home.
- រតនៈ Ratanakចិន្តា ខ្ញុំសុំងូតទឹកមុន។Chinda, khnhom som ngout teuk mun.Chinda, I'll take a shower first.
- ចិន្តា Chindaបាទ រតនៈ ជួបគ្នាពេលក្រោយ។bat Ratanak, chuop khnea pel kroy.Okay Ratanak, see you later.
- រតនៈ Ratanakតើមានសាប៊ូក្នុងកន្លែងងូតទឹកទេ?tae mean sabou knong konlaeng ngout teuk te?Is there soap in the shower?
- ចិន្តា Chindaមាន មាននៅក្នុងនោះ។mean, mean nov knong noh.Yes, there is some in there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ងូតទឹក, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
