ไข่มุก
kài-múk/kʰaj˨˩.muk̚˦˥/
The Thai word for pearl is ไข่มุก (kài-múk). If unsure, use ไข่มุก. Wiktionary also lists มุก (múk) and มุกดา (múk-daa).
Meaning: rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks (noun)
Ways to say it
| Thai | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ไข่มุก | kài-múk | /kʰaj˨˩.muk̚˦˥/ |
| มุก | múk | /muk̚˦˥/ |
| มุกดา | múk-daa | /muk̚˦˥.daː˧/ |
The term refers to the rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ไข่มุก is a compound of ไข่, which means egg and มุก, which means pearl.
Which one should you use?
ไข่มุก is the standard term for a pearl. The shortened form มุก is often used in casual contexts or when referring to the material itself. The form มุกดา is more poetic or literary and is often used to refer to moonstones or gems with a pearly luster rather than biological pearls.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is kài-múk.
Did you know?
- In modern Thai slang, the word มุก is used to refer to a joke or a punchline. This usage treats a joke like a 'pearl' of wit that is dropped into a conversation.
- The term ไข่มุก is also widely used to describe the chewy tapioca pearls found in bubble tea, applying the word for jewelry to a common street food.
- The word มุก likely entered the Thai language through Sanskrit, originating from the word muktā, which shares a root meaning 'released' or 'liberated'.
Examples in context
- เธอใส่สร้อยไข่มุกดูสวยมากthoe sai sorai khaimuk du suay makYou look very beautiful wearing a pearl necklace.
- ไข่มุกเม็ดนี้มีราคาแพงมากkhaimuk met ni mi rakha phaeng makThis pearl is very expensive.
- เขาชอบสะสมไข่มุกน้ำงามkhao chop sasom khaimuk nam ngamHe likes to collect beautiful pearls.
Example conversation
A woman is showing her new jewelry to a man at a cafe.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritพิมลใส่สร้อยไข่มุกเส้นใหม่มาด้วยPhimon sai sorai khaimuk sen mai ma duaiPhimon, you came wearing a new pearl necklace.
- พิมล Pimonใช่ค่ะ เป็นของขวัญวันเกิดchai kha, pen khong khwan wan koetYes, it was a birthday gift.
- ธนกฤต Thanakritไข่มุกเม็ดนี้ขาวสะอาดตาดีนะครับkhaimuk met ni khao sa-at ta di na khrapThis pearl is very white and clear.
- พิมล Pimonขอบคุณค่ะ ธนกฤตkhop khun kha, ThanakritThank you, Thanakrit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pearl” translations and entries ไข่มุก, มุก, มุกดา, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries มุก, มุกดา, ไข่มุก, CC BY-SA 4.0.
