Literal as it gets

Word for word translations of the Cambodian language which are amusingly literal

Translations collected from the past year of lessons with my Khmer tutor:

Have you eaten?      Did you eat rice already?

Milk                    cow breast water

Tear                    eye water
Naughty              broken

Prostitute             broken woman
Gangster              limp leg

To dream            understand all

To like                enter heart

To visit                go play

To joke               talk play

Tissue                 mouth wipe paper

Airport                flying machine field

Train                   illuminated oxcart

Gym                    body movement place

Cheers!                please hit (glass) once

Day off                rest stop day

Sunday             sun day

Monday           moon day

Tuesday           planet day

Wednesday      stretch/bend day

Thursday         hands (of the king) day

Friday              peace day

Saturday          maiden/unmarried woman day (unfortunately this word sounds like “sow”)

North               foot side direction

South               diamond side direction

East                 born/sunrise side direction

West                sink side direction

And finally, the most baffling:

Welcome         Please (som) monkey (svaa) anger (gom) for (somrap) moving around (gah wool) !