Vietnamese and Khmer are the two well-known languages in the Mon-Khmer language group which is most of the Austro-Asiatic language family, the only national languages in the family. Languages in this family are mostly in Southeast Asia but are also found in India and Bangladesh. The map of the haplogroup O2b-M9 may explain why and that the people who spoke these languages originated in South Asia.

This chart from Paul Sidwell shows how closely related any Austro-Asiatic language is from another. It shows that Vietnamese is pretty far from all other Mon-Khmer languages except those in the Viet-Muong group such as Muong, Ruc, Sach, Thavung. It’s quite different from Khmer, even though there is a relation.
When we look at the numbers in these languages, we can see that there is still some connection. The table below from www.zompist.com lists numbers in Austro-Asiatic languages. Actually, the numbers for Vietnamese are not exactly correct — see #5.
Can you see the similarities between Vietnamese (not Sino-Vietnamese) and Khmer numerals one through five? Can you guess what the original Proto-Mon-Khmer numerals were?
Austro-Asiatic
Mon-Khmer |
Bugan |
bo 55 |
bio 31 |
mtse 31 |
pau 33 |
mi 33 |
pio 33 |
pou 31 |
sã 33 |
s;i 33 |
mã 31 |
North |
Viet-Muong |
Sino-Viet. |
nhâ’t |
nhi |
tam |
tú’ |
ngu~ |
luc |
thâ’t |
bát |
cu|‘u |
thâp |
Proto-Viet-Muong+ |
*moc |
*hal |
*pa |
*pon |
*?dâm |
*khâw |
*pây |
*t’am |
*cin |
*mïel |
Vietnamese |
môt |
hai |
ba |
bô’n |
nâm |
sáu |
ba|y |
tám |
chín |
mu’ò’i |
Saigon |
mok. |
hay |
ba |
bóng |
nâm |
s,áw |
bây |
tám |
cín |
mï`y |
Muong |
môc5 |
hal2 |
ba2 |
bôn3 |
tam2 |
khaw3 |
baj4 |
sam3 |
cin3 |
mu’o'l1 |
May (Ruc, Chut) |
moic |
hal |
pa |
pón |
dâm |
ráw |
pa,^,.)y |
thám |
cín |
mièy |
Thavung (Aheu) |
muut |
haal |
paa |
póon |
dam |
phalu? |
pih |
sáam |
cíin |
sip |
Tay Pong (Hung) |
motj |
hal? |
pa |
pôn |
dhâm |
prâu |
pal |
sam |
chin |
mal’ |
Arem |
mutj |
hel’ |
pe |
puôn |
dhâm |
prau |
po’ |
tha|m |
chín |
mu’o'i |
Khasi |
Khasi |
wey |
?aar |
laay |
saaw |
san |
hnriw |
hnñew |
phra |
khndaaw |
khat |
Amwi |
mi |
o |
la |
siá |
san |
thrau |
ynthla |
humphyo |
hunshia |
shipho |
Palaungic |
East |
Palaung |
u: |
e:r |
u-a:i |
p’o:n |
p’an |
to:r |
pu:r |
ta: |
t’i:m |
kö:r |
Rumai |
hle |
a2 |
oé2 |
p’Un2 |
p’an2 |
to2 |
pu2 |
ta2 |
tiim2 |
ky2 |
Danau |
a |
àn |
wi |
po:n |
tho |
tun |
pei-ut |
tsìm |
tsen |
mà-kyen |
Riang |
håk |
ka:r |
kwai |
k`pwon |
ka:u |
twàl |
pul |
pretà |
tim |
s’kàll |
West |
Lamet |
mus |
ar |
lohe |
pun |
pan |
tal |
pul |
ta |
tim |
kel |
Khamet |
muei |
la-a |
la-oi |
pôn |
pan |
tol |
pool |
toh |
teem |
kel |
Plang (Kontoi) |
keti?2 |
la?al1 |
la?oy2 |
lepun1 |
lephon1 |
leh2 |
hereh1 |
seti?1 |
setem1 |
|
Tai-loi |
ka-ti |
là-òl |
là-oi |
pun |
pàn |
|
|
|
|
|
Kem Degne |
té |
la |
loye |
póne |
hone |
lè |
halè |
leti |
setine |
koul |
Wa |
tä |
ra: |
loi |
bun |
puån |
lich |
a:lich |
sìtä’ |
sha:tim |
kau |
Lawa |
teh |
la-a |
la-oei |
pa-erng |
puan |
laeh |
a-laeh |
staik |
staing |
kua |
La (Vo) |
t’ie |
ra |
loi |
pon |
p’wan |
lie |
a-lie |
tai |
tim |
kow |
Phalok (Parauk) |
ti |
a: |
o|i |
bon |
pün |
li |
ali |
di |
dim |
ko| |
Son |
te: |
à |
oi |
wun |
pu-on |
lu-à |
à-lu-à |
dai |
dim |
kau |
En |
tai |
rà |
loi |
pun |
pàn |
liâ |
à-li-erh |
pin-dai |
dim |
ko |
A Mok |
mo |
a: |
we: |
pun |
s`en |
tàll |
n`pwi |
n’tà |
n’tum |
n’kyu |
P’uman |
yi |
erh |
san |
p’un |
sa |
t’ao |
p’ua |
t’a |
t’i |
ch’ao |
Pou Ma |
leun |
song |
sam |
si |
ha |
hok |
tiet |
piet |
kao |
sip |
Hu |
?amò |
ka?à |
ka?òy |
?aphòn |
pathán |
|
|
|
|
|
Khmuic |
Khmu’ |
mò:j |
pà:r |
pé? |
púen |
há: |
hók |
cét |
pét |
káw |
síp |
Mal |
meie-lae |
piar |
paeh |
pôn |
piatee |
piapaeh |
jed |
piapon |
kao |
maehlach |
Puôc |
môt |
biêl |
pe |
pôn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mrabri |
damoi |
baer |
paeh |
pôn |
terng |
tán |
kool |
teeh |
gas |
gul |
Yumbri |
(neremoy) |
(nakobe) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
East |
Katuic |
So |
muai |
ba: |
bai |
pon |
so’ng |
tapet |
tapu:n |
tako:n |
take |
machhit |
Bru |
muoi |
bar |
pái |
poun |
sau’ng |
tapoât |
tapul |
takual |
takêh |
muoi chít |
Van Kieu |
muôi |
bar |
pâi |
pôn |
so’n |
tapât |
tapu:l |
takuôl |
takê: |
macu’:t |
Suei |
moi |
bar |
pa:y |
pon |
so’n |
tapat |
tapol |
tagol |
tagè |
mui jit |
Na Nhyang |
muei |
bar |
pei |
puo:n |
chung |
thpak |
thpol |
thkol |
thke |
muchit |
Kuy |
mu:j |
bi:a |
paj |
po:n |
su:ng |
thepha:t |
thepho:l |
thekhual |
thekheh |
ncut |
Tareng |
moi |
bar |
bè |
puan |
son |
pat |
po:l |
ko:l |
khiè |
michet |
Pacoh |
môi |
bar |
pe |
poan |
xông |
tapát |
tapôl |
tacol |
takih |
muchít |
Katu |
mij |
?be:r |
pe |
puon |
su:ng |
sepat |
tepal |
teka:l |
tekieh |
meghet |
Kantu |
moi |
bar |
be: |
puan |
son |
tapat |
tapol |
tako:l |
takhie |
michet |
Ong |
móoy |
báar |
pæ’æ |
púan |
|
tpat |
|
|
|
|
Ngeq |
mo’yq |
baar |
pe |
puo’n |
so’o'ng |
tapu’at |
tapôôl |
takool |
takieh |
mo’chit |
Khmer |
Old Khmer+ |
muuej |
Biier |
pii |
puuen |
pram |
pram muuej |
prem Biier |
prem pii |
prem puuen |
tap |
Khmer |
múuej |
piir |
bèej |
bùuen |
pram |
pram múuej |
pram py’l |
pram bèej |
pram bùuen |
dap |
Bahnaric |
South |
Stieng |
muôi |
baar |
pê |
puôn |
pram |
prau |
poh |
phaam |
sên |
jo’mo’t |
Chrau |
muôi |
var |
pe |
puôn |
prâm |
prau |
pôh |
pham |
su’n |
mât |
Biat |
mwoj |
bar |
pee |
puen |
pram |
praw |
poh |
pham |
cin |
jit |
Ko’ho |
dul |
bar |
pe |
poan |
prâm |
pro |
poh |
pham |
su’n |
jô’t |
Sre |
dùl |
bàr |
pe |
pwan |
pram |
praw |
poh |
phàm |
sin |
jet |
E Mnong |
ju |
bar |
pây |
puân |
prâm |
prâw |
poh |
pham |
sîn |
mât |
C Mnong |
ngwây |
bar |
pe |
pwân |
prâm |
prâw |
po’h |
pham |
sîn |
jô’t |
West |
Loven |
muai |
bur^ |
pae |
puan |
sang |
tr^ao |
poh |
thaam |
chiin |
chet |
Lave |
mui |
bar^ |
pae |
puan |
sing |
tr^ao |
poh |
thaam |
chen |
chit |
Sapuan |
muuj |
baar |
pee |
puan |
seeng |
traw |
pah |
thaam |
cin |
jit |
Cheng |
muuj |
baar |
pee |
pan |
seeng |
caw |
pah |
thaam |
cin |
cit |
Suq (Sou) |
muuj |
baar |
pee |
poon |
seeng |
traw |
puh |
thaam |
cin |
cit |
Nyahöñ |
muei |
ban |
pê |
puon |
so’ng |
trôu |
pah |
tham |
chin |
chit |
Oi |
mui |
bar^ |
pae |
puan |
sing |
tr^ao |
pah |
thaam |
chin |
chit |
Brao |
mui |
baar |
pê |
puon |
chhéng |
trau |
pos |
tham |
cheu |
chet |
Krung 2 |
muuj |
baar |
pee |
puan |
cheeng |
traw |
pah |
thaam |
ceen |
cit |
Lavi |
mooj |
piar |
pee |
poon |
syyng |
traw |
pyh |
thaam |
ciin |
cet |
Central |
Bahnar |
miñ |
bar2 |
pêng3 |
puan |
bo’dam |
to’drou |
to’po’h |
to’hngam1 |
to’sin |
po’jit |
Alak |
moei |
bar |
pei |
po:n |
dâm |
tahrâu |
poh |
ham |
chin |
jit |
Tampuan |
maoñ |
|
paeng |
pwan |
petam |
trao |
timpaoh |
tinghaam |
ñchin |
tsit |
North |
Cua |
mui |
bar |
pe |
pon |
po’qdam |
ko’drôu |
kapoh |
tho’m |
sin |
ku’l |
Rengao |
môi’ |
bâr2 |
pê’3 |
pôn2 |
bo’dam |
to’drô |
to’po’ih |
to’hngam1 |
to’chin |
bo’jo’t |
Jeh |
muih |
bal |
pei |
puan |
po’dâm |
to’drau |
to’pèh |
to’ham |
to’chin |
jãt |
Halang |
moi |
bat |
pe |
puan |
dam |
tarau |
tape |
pham |
chin |
ajiat |
Sedang |
moi |
péa |
pái |
pún |
petám |
tedróu |
tepah |
tehéam |
tochen |
moi chat |
Hrê |
mo:yq |
bayq |
piq |
pun |
padam |
tadràw |
tapèh |
nahim |
hachìn |
hajàt |
Didra (Todrah) |
muèyq |
bia |
pi |
pudn |
padabm |
dadrue |
tapê`yh |
nihiam |
tachìdn |
jèt |
Modra |
muê`y |
bar |
pi |
pudn |
padâp |
tandru |
tapèyh |
tahim |
tachìt |
jâ`t |
Pearic |
Pear |
mo:y |
pa: |
phe:k |
pho:n |
phram |
kedo:ng |
kenu:l |
keti: |
kensa: |
kenga:y |
Bolyu |
ma:i 31 |
mbi 55 |
pa:i 55 |
pu:n 53 |
me 31 |
pju 53 |
pei 55 |
sa:m 53 |
s;en 53 |
ma:n 13 |
Samre |
mooy |
paar |
phee |
phoon |
pram |
kadang |
kanuul |
kentey |
kensaor |
raay |
Chong |
moj |
bar |
pe? |
poon |
pram |
kadoong |
kaanuul |
kaatii |
kaasaal |
rai |
South |
Monic |
Old Mon+ |
moy |
?bar |
pi? |
pon |
msun |
terow |
dempoh |
dencam |
dencit |
cos |
Mon |
mòa |
?ba |
poe? |
pon |
peson |
kerao |
hepoh |
hecam |
hecit |
choh |
Nyah Kur |
mùay |
baar |
pii? |
pan |
chuun |
traw |
mpoh |
ñcaam |
ñciit |
cas |
Aslian |
Semang |
Che’ Wong |
nôi |
bêi |
pet |
pôn |
limeh |
nem |
|
|
|
|
Kensiu |
nay |
duwa? |
tiga? |
|
|
ñam |
|
|
|
|
Kenta’ Bong |
nay |
bye |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mos |
nai |
komam |
fobieh |
awah |
uibem |
mampoh |
|
|
|
|
Jehai |
ney |
dwa? |
tiga? |
impat |
(lima) |
|
|
|
|
|
Menriq |
nay |
dewa? |
tiga? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bateg Deh |
ney |
|
tiga? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bateg Nong |
nay |
duwa? |
tiga? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mintil |
sa? |
pusing |
tiga? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senoic |
Semai |
nano |
na:r |
ni |
ampa:t |
lima: |
anam |
tudju |
|
|
|
Temiar |
né |
nál |
nè |
ampat |
lima |
anam |
tujuh |
lapan |
sambilan |
né-puloh |
Lanoh |
niy |
na:y |
tiga:? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sabum |
niy |
ciwel |
tiga? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Semnam |
ni:h |
?ilwol |
tiga? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jah Hut |
nwey |
nar |
tiga:? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Southern |
Mah Meri (Besisi) |
muy |
hma |
hmpe? |
‘mpât |
lîmâk |
nam |
tujoh |
d’lapan |
sambilan |
sapuloh |
Semaq Beri |
muy |
hma |
hmpe? |
hmpon |
mesong |
pru? |
tempoh |
gênting |
gêntik |
mogênor |
Semelai |
muy |
na:r |
hmpe? |
hmpon |
mesong |
pru? |
tempoh |
kitwit |
kantim |
kumai |
Temoq |
moi |
duaq |
mpeq |
mpon |
mêsong |
têpêru |
têmpoh |
lapan |
sêmbilan |
mên gênau |
Nicobar Is. |
Nicobarese |
heng |
ne:t |
lu:i |
fe:n |
tanwi |
tafu:l |
sat |
hewhere |
macuhtere |
sam |
Nancowry |
heang |
a |
lue |
fuan |
tanei |
lue tafuel |
ishat |
nfoan |
heanghata |
shaum |
Shompen |
heng |
au |
lu:ge |
fu:at |
taing |
lagau |
aing |
towe: |
lung.i |
te.ya |
Car |
héng |
né.t |
lú.y |
fé.n |
taníy |
tafú.l |
sát |
hévher~e |
macúhter~e |
sí.n |
Munda |
Mundari |
mid |
baria |
apia |
upunia |
monrea |
turuia |
ea |
írilia |
area |
gelea |
Bhumij |
moyon |
baria |
apia |
upunia |
monea |
turia |
satta |
aitta |
nota |
dosta |
Ho |
miad |
báriá |
apeá |
upuniá |
moiá |
turuiá |
aeá |
iriliá |
areá |
geleá |
Korwa |
mi |
ba:ri-ta:ng |
pe:i-ta:ng |
cha:r |
pa:ñch |
chha |
sa:t |
a:th |
nau |
das |
Birhor |
mia |
barea |
pea |
punia |
panch |
chhai |
sat |
a:t |
la: |
dâ:s |
Asuri |
mi:at’ |
baria: |
pe:a: |
upnia: |
moyã: |
turia: |
aiya: |
irli:ya: |
area: |
gelea: |
Santali |
mit |
bar |
pe |
pon |
more |
turui |
eae |
iral |
are |
gel |
Turi |
miad’ |
baria |
pea |
punia |
miad’ ti |
miad’ ti miad’ |
miad’ ti baria |
miad’ ti pea |
miad’ ti punia |
baran ti |
Kurku |
mi:a: |
ba:ri: |
a:pai |
upu:n |
mono |
turu:i: |
e: |
ila:r |
a:re: |
gel |
Kharia |
moi |
baria |
upe |
ipon |
moloi |
tiburu |
gul |
t`am |
tomsing |
gol |
Juang |
munto |
bato |
egota |
gandami |
pa:ñch |
chhao |
sa:ta |
a:tha |
nao |
daso |
Gorum (Parenga) |
boj |
bag |
yag |
ungi |
monloy |
turgi |
gul-gi |
gal-gi |
gal-gab |
al-gab |
Sora (Savara) |
eboy |
bagu |
yagi |
unji |
monloy |
tudru |
gulji |
tamji |
tinji |
gelji |
Gutob (Gadaba) |
mui-ro: |
ba:r-ju: |
ig-ro: |
uun-ro: |
manle:i |
tir |
guligi |
ba:gu punza |
ba:gu punza bo:yi |
galigi |
Remo (Bondo) |
mui |
‘mba:r |
ingi:n |
o:ñ |
molloi |
t?i:ri |
gu: |
tUma:p |
som-tin |
go’ |
Gta’ |
m-mwing |
m-bar |
n-ji |
õ |
malwe |
tur |
gu |
tma |
sõting |
gwa |
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