ก๋วยเตี๋ยว
gǔai-dtǐao/kua̯j˩˩˦.tia̯w˩˩˦/
The Thai word for noodles is ก๋วยเตี๋ยว (gǔai-dtǐao).
ก๋วยเตี๋ยว refers to the dish of noodles, which are typically served in a soup or a stir-fry. Various specific types of noodle dishes include ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือ (boat noodles), บะหมี่ (egg noodles), ขนมจีน (Thai rice noodles used in Khanom Jeen dishes), ผัดไทย (stir-fried noodles Thai-style), คั่วไก่ (chicken stir-fried noodles with soy sauce) and เส้นเล็กต้มยำกุ้ง (thin rice noodles in spicy shrimp soup).
Which one should you use?
While ก๋วยเตี๋ยว is the name for the noodle dish as a whole, the word เส้น is used to refer to the actual noodle strands or lines themselves.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Thailand, the term หมี่ is used to refer to noodles.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced gǔai-dtǐao.
Did you know?
- If you order ขนมจีน, you are actually ordering rice noodles, even though the name sounds like it might refer to a dessert.
- In Thailand, it is customary to customize your ก๋วยเตี๋ยว by adding sugar, fish sauce, vinegar, and chili flakes from condiments on the table to suit your personal taste.
- The word ก๋วยเตี๋ยว is not an indigenous Thai word, but was brought to Thailand by Chinese immigrants.
Examples in context
- ก๋วยเตี๋ยวมาแล้วจ้า![Your] noodles have arrived!This sentence is useful for seeing how to announce that the noodles have arrived using the form ก๋วยเตี๋ยว.
- ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเรือBoat noodles
- ฉันชอบกินก๋วยเตี๋ยวมาก.chan chop kin kuai-tiew mak.I like eating noodles very much.
- ก๋วยเตี๋ยวชามนี้ราคาเท่าไหร่?kuai-tiew cham ni ra-kha thao-rai?How much is this bowl of noodles?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatพิมล อยากกินอะไรครับPimon yak kin arai khrapPimon, what do you want to eat?
- พิมล Pimonธีรภัทร อยากกินก๋วยเตี๋ยวค่ะTheeraphat yak kin kuay tiao khaTheeraphat, I want to eat noodles.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatไปร้านข้างหน้ากันเถอะpai ran khang na kan thoeLet's go to the shop up ahead.
- พิมล Pimonตกลงค่ะ ไปกันเลยtok long kha pai kan loeiAgreed, let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ก๋วยเตี๋ยว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ก๋วยเตี๋ยว, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
