It is a great exploration to find out such a solution towards topic matters in profession. In this article, we will share your some of the common mistakes in Khmer-English translation, especially in educational or instructional contexts:

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Here are some tips to improve your Khmer translation

Contents

1. Literal Word-for-Word Translation
2. Incorrect Verb Tense
3. Missing Articles (a, an, the)
4. Confusing Pronouns
5. Misusing Prepositions
6. Translating Idioms Literally
7. Overusing Passive Voice

Literal Word-for-Word Translation

Khmer often uses contextual meaning, while English relies more on structure.

Mistake: “ខ្ញុំចង់ទៅហាង។” means “I want go shop.”
Correct: “I want to go to the shop.”

Incorrect Verb Tense

Khmer verbs don’t change form for tense, so learners often omit tense markers in English.

Mistake: “Yesterday I go to school.”
Correct: “Yesterday I went to school.”

Missing Articles (a, an, the)

Khmer doesn’t use articles, so they’re often dropped in translation.

Mistake: “I saw dog.”
Correct: “I saw a dog.”

Confusing Pronouns

Khmer uses context for pronouns, but English requires clarity.

Mistake: “He told her that she go.”
Correct: “He told her that she should go.”

Misusing Prepositions

Khmer prepositions are flexible, but English ones are more fixed.

Mistake: “I am good in math.”
Correct: “I am good at math.”

Translating Idioms Literally

Idioms don’t translate directly.

Mistake: “Break the egg” (literal Khmer idiom)
Better: Use an equivalent English idiom or explain the meaning.

Overusing Passive Voice

Khmer often uses passive constructions, which can sound unnatural in English.

Mistake: “The homework was done by me.”
Correct: “I did the homework.”