ข้าวมันไก่
khao man kai
The English phrase "chicken rice" is translated into Thai as ข้าวมันไก่ (khao man kai).
ข้าวมันไก่ refers to a specific dish consisting of poached chicken served with seasoned, oily rice. To specify a version using fried chicken instead of poached chicken, you can say ข้าวมันไก่ทอด.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ข้าวมันไก่ is composed of khao (rice), man (fat/oily) and kai (chicken).
Which one should you use?
While ข้าวมันไก่ refers to the specific oily rice dish, khao kai would simply mean "chicken rice" in a general sense, such as any rice served with chicken.
How do you pronounce it?
khao man kai
Did you know?
- While ข้าวมันไก่ is a Thai staple, the dish is a local adaptation of Hainanese chicken rice, reflecting the influence of Chinese immigrants in Thailand.
- In Thailand, ข้าวมันไก่ is almost always served with a side of clear soup infused with winter melon or radish to cleanse the palate from the oily rice.
- Although the rice is rich and flavorful, calling it ข้าวมันไก่ uses a word that can also mean 'fat' or 'greasy' in a negative sense, such as describing a person's skin.
Examples in context
- ฉันอยากกินข้าวมันไก่.chan yak kin khao man gai.I want to eat chicken rice.
- ข้าวมันไก่ร้านนี้อร่อยมาก.khao man gai ran ni aroi mak.The chicken rice at this shop is very delicious.
- คุณจะสั่งข้าวมันไก่ไหม?khun cha sang khao man gai mai?Will you order chicken rice?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinธีรภัทร อยากกินอะไรเป็นมื้อเที่ยงคะTheeraphat yak kin a-rai pen mue thiang khaTheeraphat, what do you want to eat for lunch?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatผมอยากกินข้าวมันไก่ครับphom yak kin khao man kai khrapI want to eat chicken rice.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinดีเลยค่ะ ร้านข้างหน้ามีขายdi loei kha ran khang na mi khaiThat's great. The shop in front sells it.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatงั้นเราไปที่ร้านนั้นกันเถอะngan rao pai thi ran nan kan thoeThen let's go to that shop.
