Vocabulary #4 - to see

វាក្យសព្ទ #4 - ឃើញ 

IPA: khɤ:ɲ, kheugn

In Khmer, the word “ឃើញ” is often translated into English as to see. However, when translating from English into Khmer, to see can have different meanings depending on the context, such as “ឃើញ” or “ជួប”

When to see means “ឃើញ”

I ride my motorbike and see many things along the road.

I saw him at the market.

In these examples, “ឃើញ” refers to seeing something naturally, without intentionally paying attention to it. This is different from “មើល” which usually implies focusing on something deliberately.

For example:

I watch TV.

He is looking at a book.

Depending on the context, “មើល” can be translated as to look or to watch in English.

When to see means “ជួប”

See you tomorrow.

See you later.

In these examples, to see means to meet someone, not simply to perceive something with the eyes.