Signification
Feeling shy in front of others.
Contexte culturel
Shyness in women was traditionally seen as a sign of high virtue and good upbringing. The concept of 'Kreng Jai' is related, but 'Khmas Ke' is more about the internal feeling of embarrassment. Similar 'Face' culture where public mistakes are avoided to prevent family embarrassment. Young Cambodians use 'Khmas Ke' ironically on TikTok when they do something 'cringe'.
The 'Ke' is Key
Always include 'Ke' unless you are writing poetry. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't over-apologize
Saying 'Khmas Ke' too much in a business meeting can make you look unprepared.
Signification
Feeling shy in front of others.
The 'Ke' is Key
Always include 'Ke' unless you are writing poetry. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Don't over-apologize
Saying 'Khmas Ke' too much in a business meeting can make you look unprepared.
Smile through it
In Cambodia, if you say 'Khmas Ke' while smiling, it diffuses the tension of any mistake you made.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'I am very shy.'
ខ្ញុំ_______ណាស់។
ខ្មាសគេ (Khmas Ke) means shy. ឃ្លានបាយ means hungry, and សប្បាយចិត្ត means happy.
Which sentence is the most natural way to tell a child not to be shy?
How do you say 'Don't be shy'?
'Kom...ei' is the standard prohibitive pattern in Khmer.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You tripped in front of your crush.
Tripping in public causes embarrassment (Khmas Ke).
Complete the dialogue.
A: ម៉េចក៏មិនច្រៀង? B: _________។
Being shy is a common reason not to sing in public.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to say it
Social
- • Parties
- • Meetings
Blunders
- • Spills
- • Typos
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesខ្ញុំ_______ណាស់។
ខ្មាសគេ (Khmas Ke) means shy. ឃ្លានបាយ means hungry, and សប្បាយចិត្ត means happy.
How do you say 'Don't be shy'?
'Kom...ei' is the standard prohibitive pattern in Khmer.
You tripped in front of your crush.
Tripping in public causes embarrassment (Khmas Ke).
A: ម៉េចក៏មិនច្រៀង? B: _________។
Being shy is a common reason not to sing in public.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot directly, but you can use it after 'Soms-tou' (sorry) to explain why you are acting awkwardly.
No, it can be a positive trait of modesty and respect.
Khmas is broader; A-ien is specifically that 'giddy' shyness you feel around a crush.
Say 'Khnhom min khmas ke te'.
Yes, if you made a small mistake, it shows you have a conscience.
No, to say 'shame on you' you would use 'Min seh khmas' (Don't you know shame?).
Yes, it's very common for learners to say they are 'Khmas Ke' about their language skills.
Yes, 'Mean sek-dei khmas', but it's rarely spoken.
It's a cultural mechanism to save face and keep the atmosphere light.
Yes, it's the most common way to describe a shy child.
Expressions liées
អៀន
synonymTimid/Shy
មុខក្រាស់
contrastThick-faced
បាក់មុខ
builds onBroken face
លាក់មុខ
similarHiding face
កោតខ្លាច
specialized formAwe/Respectful fear
