ชานมไข่มุก
chaa-nom-kài-múk/t͡ɕʰaː˧.nom˧.kʰaj˨˩.muk̚˦˥/
The Thai phrase for boba is ชานมไข่มุก (chaa-nom-kài-múk).
While English speakers often use 'boba' to refer to the whole drink, in Thai, ชานมไข่มุก specifically describes the milk tea with pearls.
What does it mean word for word?
The term includes ไข่มุก, which literally translates to 'pearl' (as in a gemstone) and is the standard way to refer to the tapioca pearls in a drink.
How do you pronounce it?
chaa-nom-kài-múk
Did you know?
- The word ไข่มุก (kài-múk) used in the phrase is actually a compound of two words: ไข่ meaning 'egg' and มุก meaning 'pearl'. This etymological structure is a common way Thai describes round, precious objects.
- The word นม in ชานมไข่มุก means 'milk' and is the same word used for 'breast', which can lead to confusion for beginners in other contexts.
- In Thai street food culture, ชานมไข่มุก is frequently served in large plastic bags with a straw, rather than just in cups.
Examples in context
- ชานมไข่มุกร้านนี้อร่อยดีนะ.chan nom khai muk ran ni a roi di na.The boba from this shop is delicious.
- คุณจะสั่งชานมไข่มุกไหม?khun cha sang chan nom khai muk mai?Will you order boba milk tea?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to drink at a cafe.
- วิทวัส Witthawatณิชา อยากดื่มอะไรไหม?Nicha yak duem arai mai?Nicha, do you want to drink something?
- ณิชา Nichaฉันอยากกินชานมไข่มุกค่ะ.Chan yak kin chan nom khai muk kha.I want to drink boba milk tea.
- วิทวัส Witthawatงั้นผมสั่งชานมไข่มุกให้คุณนะ.Ngan phom sang chan nom khai muk hai khun na.Then I will order boba for you.
- ณิชา Nichaขอบคุณมากค่ะ วิทวัส.Khop khun mak kha, Witthawat.Thank you very much, Witthawat.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ชานมไข่มุก, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ชานมไข่มุก, CC BY-SA 4.0.
