Vocabulary: Thematic & Topical Vocabulary (B1) - Lesson 1: Travel & Tourism

Lesson 1: Travel & Tourism

Thematic & Topical Vocabulary (B1)

Welcome to our B1 Thematic Vocabulary series! We live in a city that is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. But what is a 'tourist'? What is 'tourism'? This lesson will teach you the essential vocabulary to talk about the world of travel and tourism.

Word Bank

Core Concepts & People

• Travel (noun/verb) | ធ្វើដំណើរ
  The action of going from one place to another.
• Tourism (noun) | ទេសចរណ៍
  The business of providing services for tourists.
• tourist (noun) | អ្នកទេសចរ
  A person who is traveling for pleasure.
  Example: "Many tourists visit the temples every day."
• destination (noun) | គោលដៅ
  The place where someone is going.
  Example: "Angkor Wat is a famous tourist destination."
• journey (noun) | ដំណើរ
  A long trip from one place to another.
  Example: "The bus journey to the coast takes six hours."
• tour guide (noun) | មគ្គុទ្ទេសក៍
  A person who shows tourists around a place.
  Example: "Our tour guide explained the history."

Travel Activities (Verbs)

• to book (verb) | កក់
  To reserve something for a future time (e.g., a hotel, a flight).
  Example: "I need to book my bus ticket online."
• to explore (verb) | រុករក
  To travel through a new place to learn about it.
  Example: "We spent the day exploring the ancient city."
• to pack (verb) | រៀបចំ
  To put your clothes and things into a bag before a trip.
  Example: "I need to pack my bag tonight."

Usage Note: Travel vs. Trip vs. Journey

These words can be confusing, but they have small differences.

• Travel (verb): The general action of moving from place to place.
  Example: "I love to travel."
• Trip (noun): A specific time you go somewhere and come back. It focuses on the whole experience.
  Example: "We took a weekend trip to the coast."
• Journey (noun): The movement from one place to another. It focuses on the 'going' part.
  Example: "The bus journey was long and tiring."

In Conversation

Alex, a tourist, is talking to Srey about his plans.

Alex: I'm so excited for my trip to Cambodia! Tourism here seems amazing.

Srey: Welcome! We have many wonderful places for a tourist to see. What is your final destination?

Alex: My main destination is Siem Reap, of course. I want to explore Angkor Wat for a full day.

Srey: A good idea. Did you book a tour guide? A good guide can make the experience much better.

Alex: Yes, I booked one online yesterday. I just need to pack my bag with water and sunscreen.

Srey: Good plan. The journey to the main temple can be hot.

Alex: I don't mind. I love to travel!

Check Your Understanding

1. A person who is traveling for pleasure is called a ______.
   • a) tour guide
   • b) tourist
   • c) driver
   Answer: b) tourist

2. Which word describes the process of going from one place to another, like a long bus ride?
   • a) destination
   • b) journey
   • c) trip
   Answer: b) journey

3. Before you go on a trip, you must ______ your bag with clothes.
   • a) book
   • b) explore
   • c) pack
   Answer: c) pack

Your Mission

1. My Dream Trip: Write a few sentences about your dream trip. Where is the destination? How would you travel there? What would you like to explore?
2. Local Tourism: Think about tourism in your city. Write one sentence about it. (e.g., "Many tourists visit Siem Reap to see the temples.")
3. Speak: Your mission is to ask a friend, "Where would you like to travel?". Listen to their answer and tell them about a place you want to see.