Signification
Commenting on a low price.
Contexte culturel
In Cambodia, prices are rarely fixed in local markets. Saying 'ថោកណាស់' after a successful bargain is a way to show the vendor you are happy, which builds 'face' for them as a 'generous' seller. The word 'thok' is a linguistic minefield. While it's fine for objects, using it for people reflects a 'low' status. It's often used in dramas to depict the villain's undignified behavior. The concept of 'value' (តម្លៃ) is tied to merit. Something 'cheap' can sometimes be seen as lacking 'blessing' or 'quality' if it's too cheap, leading to the proverb 'ថោកអីថោកទៅ ឱ្យតែល្អ' (Cheap is fine, as long as it's good). Young Cambodians use 'thok' on social media to describe 'cringe' or 'try-hard' behavior, similar to how 'cheap' is used in English slang.
The Smile Factor
Always say 'ថោកណាស់' with a smile. Without a smile, it can sound like you are complaining about the quality.
Avoid for People
I cannot stress this enough: calling a person 'thok' is a major insult in Cambodia. Stick to objects!
Signification
Commenting on a low price.
The Smile Factor
Always say 'ថោកណាស់' with a smile. Without a smile, it can sound like you are complaining about the quality.
Avoid for People
I cannot stress this enough: calling a person 'thok' is a major insult in Cambodia. Stick to objects!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'This coffee is very cheap.'
កាហ្វេនេះ_______ណាស់។
'ថោក' (Thok) means cheap. 'ថ្លៃ' means expensive, 'ឆ្ងាញ់' means delicious, and 'ក្តៅ' means hot.
Which phrase is the most polite way to say 'inexpensive' in a formal setting?
In a luxury mall, you should say:
'តម្លៃសមរម្យ' (tom-lay som-rom) means 'reasonable price' and is the most formal option.
Match the reaction to the price.
Price: $0.50 for a large coconut (usually $1.50). Your reaction:
Since $0.50 is much lower than the usual $1.50, 'ថោកណាស់' is the appropriate reaction.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
When to say 'Thok Nah'
Safe to Use
- • Street Food
- • Local Markets
- • Tuk-tuks
- • Second-hand items
Danger Zone
- • Describing people
- • Gifts
- • Luxury Hotels
- • Weddings
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesកាហ្វេនេះ_______ណាស់។
'ថោក' (Thok) means cheap. 'ថ្លៃ' means expensive, 'ឆ្ងាញ់' means delicious, and 'ក្តៅ' means hot.
In a luxury mall, you should say:
'តម្លៃសមរម្យ' (tom-lay som-rom) means 'reasonable price' and is the most formal option.
Price: $0.50 for a large coconut (usually $1.50). Your reaction:
Since $0.50 is much lower than the usual $1.50, 'ថោកណាស់' is the appropriate reaction.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude when talking about prices. It's a very common and natural reaction in markets.
Yes, but it's less common since prices are fixed. You'd usually say it to your friend, not the cashier.
Use 'ថោកពេក' (Thok pek). 'ពេក' means 'too much' or 'excessively'.
Yes! 'ថោក' is for price. 'ថោកទាប' is a strong insult meaning 'vile' or 'scum'. Never mix them up.
You can say 'ថោកហើយល្អ' (Thok haey lo-or).
No, it's optional. Most people just say 'ថោកណាស់' directly.
Yes, it is universal across all provinces and dialects.
The formal version is 'មានតម្លៃសមរម្យ' (mean tom-lay som-rom).
Absolutely. 'កាត់សក់ថោកណាស់' (Haircut is very cheap).
They are likely happy that you are pleased with the price and impressed by your Khmer skills!
Expressions liées
ថ្លៃណាស់
contrastVery expensive
ធូរថ្លៃ
similarInexpensive / affordable
ចុះថ្លៃ
builds onTo lower the price / discount
ថោកទាប
specialized formVile / Base / Low-life
