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Glite Dictionary
Khmer language

Khmer language

1 7.2
The official language of Cambodia spoken by most people
  • noun
translation icon : idioma jemer
  • The Khmer language is spoken by millions of people.

Examples

  • The ancient inscriptions were written in Khmer language.

  • Many people in Cambodia speak Khmer language as their first language.

  • She is learning Khmer language to communicate better with her colleagues in Phnom Penh.

  • Learning the Khmer language can be challenging.

  • The Khmer language is spoken by millions of people in Cambodia.

  • She is learning the Khmer language to connect with her heritage.

  • The textbook provides a comprehensive guide to the Khmer language and its grammar.

Synonyms

Khmer
vsKhmer language
9.9

The main language spoken in Cambodia and taught in schools

is the full phrase form rather than the short single word

Surface Forms

Khmer language singular
Khmer languages plural

Morphology

Khmer + language

The phrase combines the proper noun 'Khmer' with the noun 'language' to mean 'the language of the Khmer people / of Cambodia', a directly compositional relation. This pattern (X language = the language of X) is cross-linguistically common and thus immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Khmer language gets its name from the Khmer people of Cambodia. It grew from the old language seen in temple writing and used by kings long ago, so today it is the country's 'official language'.