Signification
Describing high diligence.
Contexte culturel
Diligence is linked to the concept of 'Viriya' in Buddhism. It is seen as a way to improve one's life and the lives of one's parents. In Khmer offices, being 'ussah' is often valued more than being 'smart' but lazy. Showing up early and staying late is a visible sign of 'ussah'. For farmers, 'ussah' is defined by waking up before dawn to tend to the rice fields. It is a survival trait. The term has become a popular 'sticker' or comment on platforms like TikTok and Facebook to support friends' side-hustles.
The 'Face' Builder
Using this phrase for your Khmer colleagues is the fastest way to build 'Face' and social harmony.
Sarcasm Alert
Only use this sarcastically with very close friends, otherwise, it sounds very rude.
Signification
Describing high diligence.
The 'Face' Builder
Using this phrase for your Khmer colleagues is the fastest way to build 'Face' and social harmony.
Sarcasm Alert
Only use this sarcastically with very close friends, otherwise, it sounds very rude.
Complimenting Children
Khmer parents love hearing this about their children. It's better than saying the child is 'cute'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word to say 'He is very hardworking.'
គាត់_______ណាស់។
ឧស្សាហ៍ (ussah) means hardworking. ខ្ជិល (lazy), រវល់ (busy), ស្អាត (beautiful).
Which of these is the correct word order?
How do you say 'Very hardworking'?
In Khmer, the adjective (ឧស្សាហ៍) comes before the intensifier (ណាស់).
Match the response to the situation.
Your friend stayed up all night to finish a project. What do you say?
ឧស្សាហ៍ណាស់ is the perfect compliment for someone who put in a lot of effort.
Complete the dialogue.
A: កូនខ្ញុំរៀនដល់យប់ជ្រៅ។ (My child studies until late at night.) B: ___________!
The context of studying late requires a compliment on diligence.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesគាត់_______ណាស់។
ឧស្សាហ៍ (ussah) means hardworking. ខ្ជិល (lazy), រវល់ (busy), ស្អាត (beautiful).
How do you say 'Very hardworking'?
In Khmer, the adjective (ឧស្សាហ៍) comes before the intensifier (ណាស់).
Your friend stayed up all night to finish a project. What do you say?
ឧស្សាហ៍ណាស់ is the perfect compliment for someone who put in a lot of effort.
A: កូនខ្ញុំរៀនដល់យប់ជ្រៅ។ (My child studies until late at night.) B: ___________!
The context of studying late requires a compliment on diligence.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it might sound a bit boastful. It's better to say 'ខ្ញុំខំប្រឹង' (I try hard).
Yes, but add 'លោក' or 'អ្នកស្រី' first to be polite.
The opposite is 'ខ្ជិល' (khjil), which means lazy.
Yes, in almost all contexts following an adjective.
Yes! If a dog is good at guarding or hunting, you can say 'វាឧស្សាហ៍ណាស់'.
Yes, 'ឧស្សាហ៍ព្យាយាម' (ussah pyayyam) is more formal.
ឧ-ស្សា-ហ៍ (U-Ssa-H + silent mark).
Yes, you can say 'ឧស្សាហ៍ណាស់ណា' (ussah nah na).
Very often, especially in songs about farmers or students.
No, it's a standard dictionary term used by everyone.
Expressions liées
ឧស្សាហ៍ព្យាយាម
specialized formDiligently striving
ខ្ជិល
contrastLazy
ពូកែ
similarGood at / Gifted
សកម្ម
similarActive
ហ្មត់ចត់
builds onThorough/Meticulous
