In English, the word "ever" is used in different ways, and its meaning can change depending on the context. Here’s how it translates and functions in Khmer, along with usage examples:
1. "Ever" = មិនដែល (Negative) / ធ្លាប់ (Positive)
Used in questions or negative sentences to mean "at any time."
Khmer:
Positive: ធ្លាប់ (tloap) → "Have you ever...?"
Negative: មិនដែល (min dael) → "Never"
Examples:
Have you ever been to Siem Reap?
→ អ្នកធ្លាប់មកសៀមរាបដែរឬទេ?
(Neak tloap mok Siem Reap der reu te?)I have never seen this before.
→ ខ្ញុំមិនដែលឃើញរឿងនេះពីមុនទេ។
(Khnhom min dael kheun roeng nih pi mun te.)
2. "Ever" = បំផុត (Superlative)
Used with superlatives (most, best, fastest) to mean "of all time."
Khmer: បំផុត (bomphot)
Examples:
He is the most successful ever.
→ គាត់ជាអ្នកជោគជ័យខ្លាំងជាងគេបំផុត។
(Kort chea neak jouk jey khlang cheang ke bomphot.)This is the best movie ever!
→ នេះជាខ្សែភាពយន្តល្អបំផុត!
(Nih chea khsa pheap yon la-or bomphot!)
3. "Ever" = ជានិច្ច (Forever / Always)
Used in phrases like "forever" or "always."
Khmer: ជានិច្ច (chea nich), ឥឡូវដល់អនាគត (i-lov dol anakut)
Examples:
I will love you forever.
→ ខ្ញុំនឹងស្រលាញ់អ្នកជានិច្ច។
(Khnhom nung sralanh neak chea nich.)
4. "Ever" = ក៏ដោយ (Emphasis in Questions)
Used for emphasis in questions ("Why ever...?" / "How ever...?").
Khmer: ហេតុអ្វីបានជា (het avey ban chea)
Example:
Why ever did you do that?
→ ហេតុអ្វីបានជាអ្នកធ្វើអីចឹង?
(Het avey ban chea neak thvei ey cheng?)
Summary Table
| English | Khmer | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Ever (question) | ធ្លាប់ | "Have you ever...?" |
| Never | មិនដែល | "I have never..." |
| Ever (superlative) | បំផុត | "Best ever" |
| Forever | ជានិច្ច | "Always" |
| Emphasis | ហេតុអ្វីបានជា | "Why ever...?" |
Would you like more examples or a specific phrase explained? 😊
Edit Post