Facing the Khmer Rouge: A Cambodian Journey

Glossary

227 Khmer (Cambodian) terms unless otherwise specified Ah: Little; can also mean contemptible Ah khaoan: Little child (respectful title) Ah la-eth: Puny one (disrespectful title) Angkar: The ruling body of the Khmer Rouge; literally translated as “organization” Angkar Leu: Higher rulers within the Khmer Rouge; literally translated as “high organization” Angkar Youth Corps: Source of Angkar’s spies; see also chhlob Angkor: Site of Angkor Wat derived from the Sanskrit nagara, or “sacred city” Apsara: Celestial maiden “Assak kombang batt”: “May I be invincible from my enemy” B-4 40 0 RPGs: Rocket-propelled grenades widely available during and after the civil war baht: Thai currency denomination; 2011 conversion rate is 32 bahts to 1 U.S. dollar “Baht, tean”: “Yes, sir” (spoken by males) barang: Foreigners; originally meant Frenchmen (Thai: farang or farangset) baray: Man-made body of water baw-baw: Rice porridge Bawng: Elder; for example, elder brother (bawng pross) or elder sister (bawng srei) cadre: Communist political or military leader, rank, or file; also “comrade” “Cha”: “Yes” (spoken by females); see also “Baht, tean” chau prey: Forest bandits; Khmer Rouge name for those in hiding chhlob: Angkar’s network of spies; can also refer to a single spy chi: Gold measurement chrach: Common water plant found in rice paddies chun phearse khlourn: Refugee GLOSSARY “Dam doeum kor”: “Plant a kapok tree,” meaning “speak no evil.” Democratic Kampuchea: National name self-assigned by the Khmer Rouge Devaraja: Angel in Sanskrit terminology dipterocarp: One of twenty-two commercial lumber species in Cambodia; also known as yieng Garuda: Large mythical birdlike creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology “Jumreap soeur”: Formal Khmer greeting phrase reserved for addressing elders or higher classes Kamaphibarl: High-ranking Khmer Rouge leader kgnum: Servant or slave; also means “I” khaoan: Child khmang: Enemy; see also satrov Khmen opah-youp: Khmer prisoner (Thai) Khmer: Cambodian Khmer American: Cambodian American or “Khmerican” (slang Khmer term) Khmer Kampuchea Krom: Cambodian land annexed by Vietnam, and its native people Khmer Krahom: Khmer Rouge; literally translated as “red Cambodians” Khmer Leu (Surin): Cambodian land annexed by Thailand, and its native people Khmer Rouge: Name coined by Prince Sihanouk for Cambodian communists (French) Khmer Serei: Khmer freedom fighters based along the porous Thai border “Kin mai”: “Eat or not?” (Thai) kmouy: Nephew or niece; gender-neutral term kokoss: Hardwood tree highly prized for furniture making; also produces edible nuts ko kup: Tropical fruit tree that produces delicately sweet fruit “Kon euy kheng tuv”: “Go to sleep, my child”; a motherly lullaby Kong Top Pakdevat: The army led by the Khmer Rouge; literally translated as “Revolution Army”; see also Kong Top Romdoss Kong Top Romdoss: The army led by the Khmer Rouge; literally translated as “Liberation Army”; see also Kong Top Pakdevat krobey: Water buffalo krom: A labor group of ten persons or fewer kroma: Checkered cotton towel or long silk or cotton scarf; worn by Khmer Rouge kru: Shaman; see also Lauk Kru GLOSSARY 228 La-eth: Puny one Lauk: Mister or sir L’Bawng: See Lauk Bawng Lauk Bawng (L’Bawng): Title reserved for a former Buddhist monk; literally translated as “Honorable Brother” Lauk Kru: Respected teacher or master Lauk Sastrajah: Professor, teacher, or master at higher level “Leuk Dai Twaiy Preeah”: “Lord Buddha is praised” Mae: “Mother”; honorific used in the country Mao Zedong: First chairman of the Communist Party of China highly regarded by Khmer Rouge cadres and soldiers, who often wore his style of cap Ming: Aunt Mith: Comrade Mith Chass: “Old Comrade” (old people) who lived in Khmer Rouge–controlled areas when major cities were evacuated Mith Thmey: “New Comrade” (new people) who lived in governmentcontrolled areas when major cities were evacuated moan: Hen Mobile Brigade: A large labor group tasked with immense engineering projects, such as water reservoirs m’they: Kindergarten mui-Thai: Thai kick-boxing style, deeply rooted in the Khmer “Bokator” fighting style (Thai) Nek: Respected in-law Neyuk Rothmentrey Tie Muy: First Prime Minister (Cambodia had two at the same time, historic) North Vietnamese Army (NVA): Communist army from North Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh Oan: Little one oh bor: Fast boat with outboard motor Oum: Older uncle or aunt Pa: Father “Pai”: “Go” (Thai) “Pai nai, khrap”: “Where are you going?” (Thai) Pa Vier: The children’s father phkak: Razor-sharp long knife; a traditional form of work or battle blade pla thu: A low...