Vocabulary #2 - Thanks

វាក្យសព្ទ #2 - អរគុណ

IPA: ʔɒ:kʊn, orgunt 

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The Khmer word អរគុណ comes from two words: អរ + គុណ.

• អរ means joy, happiness, or gladness.
• គុណ refers to goodness, virtue, kindness, or a favor received from others.

Therefore, អរគុណ is used to express gratitude toward someone who has shown kindness or done something good for us.

However, Khmer people do not use “អរគុណ” as frequently as “thank you” is used in English, especially among close family members and friends. The word is more commonly used with strangers or people of higher status.

In Khmer culture, gratitude is often expressed indirectly.

For example:

• When laypeople offer food to monks, monks give blessings in return. These blessings function as a form of gratitude.
• When children give something to their parents or grandparents, the elders may respond with blessings instead of directly saying “thank you.”

• Among friends, expressions such as:

  “You are so kind,”
  “Go ahead and eat,”
  or “I’m full already”
  can also serve as indirect expressions of gratitude.

Because of this cultural communication style, saying “thank you” too often to close friends may sometimes sound distant or overly formal. In certain situations, it may even be misunderstood as sarcasm or emotional distance rather than friendliness.

Personally, there are days when I do not say the word “អរគុណ” even once. This does not mean that I lack gratitude. In Khmer culture, appreciation is often expressed through actions, tone of voice, facial expressions, or other indirect ways rather than by directly saying “thank you.”

What about you?
How many times do you say “thank you” in a day? In what situations do you usually use it?