ข้าวเหนียว
kâao-nǐao/kʰaːw˥˩.nia̯w˩˩˦/
Glutinous rice in Thai is ข้าวเหนียว (kâao-nǐao).
ข้าวเหนียว refers specifically to the variety of rice known as glutinous or sticky rice.
Meaning: rice variety (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of ข้าว (kâao), meaning 'rice' and เหนียว (nǐao), meaning 'sticky'.
Which one should you use?
ข้าวเหนียว is the term for sticky rice, which contrasts with ข้าวเจ้า (kâao-jâao), the term for regular, non-sticky jasmine rice or non-glutinous rice. Additionally, ข้าวเหนียวหอม refers specifically to a fragrant variety of glutinous rice.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /kʰaːw˥˩.nia̯w˩˩˦/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Thai, the word 'เหนียว' (nǐao) can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is 'stingy' or 'tight-fisted' with their money.
- In many parts of Thailand, particularly the North and Northeast, many people eat 'ข้าวเหนียว' with their hands rather than using a spoon and fork. It is customary to use the fingers to roll the rice into small, manageable balls.
- While ข้าวเหนียว is eaten throughout Thailand, it is the primary staple of the Isan region in the northeast. In this region, it is traditionally served in a small woven bamboo container called a กระติ๊บ, which keeps the rice warm and moist.
Examples in context
- สวัสดีครับ ขอข้าวเหนียวหอมๆ หนึ่งถ้วยครับHello, may I have a bowl of fragrant glutinous rice, please?
- เป็นอาหารไทยที่ดีที่สุดที่ฉันเคยลอง! คุณเคยกินข้าวเหนียวหอมมั้ย?It's the best Thai food I have ever tried! Have you ever tasted fragrant glutinous rice?
- ฉันชอบกินข้าวเหนียวกับมะม่วง.chan chop kin khao niao kap ma muang.I like eating glutinous rice with mango.
- แม่ทำข้าวเหนียวหมูปิ้งให้กิน.mae tham khao niao mu ping hai kin.Mom made grilled pork with glutinous rice for me to eat.
- เราต้องใช้ข้าวเหนียวในการทำขนมไทย.rao tong chai khao niao nai kan tham khonom thai.We need to use glutinous rice to make Thai desserts.
Example conversation
Two people are ordering food at a street stall.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinรับข้าวเหนียวด้วยไหมคะrap khao niao duai mai khaWould you like some glutinous rice too?
- วิทวัส Witthawatครับ ขอข้าวเหนียวหนึ่งห่อครับkhrap kho khao niao nueng ho khrapYes, I would like one bag of glutinous rice, please.
- สิรินทร์ Sirinได้ค่ะ รอสักครู่นะคะdai kha ro sak khru na khaSure, please wait a moment.
- วิทวัส Witthawatขอบคุณครับkhop khun khrapThank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “glutinous rice” translations and entries ข้าวเหนียว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
