mov
/mɒ˧˦/
In Hmong, the word for rice is mov.
The term mov is used to refer to rice that is being used as food.
Meaning: seeds used as food (noun)
Which one should you use?
While mov is the standard term, it specifically refers to cooked rice that is ready to eat, rather than the raw grain.
How do you pronounce it?
/mɒ˧˦/
Did you know?
- Hmong has entirely different words for rice depending on its stage: one for the plant in the field, one for the harvested grain and another for the cooked food mov.
- The word mov is a cognate of the Chinese word 米 'mǐ', reflecting ancient linguistic links between the Hmong-Mien and Sinitic language families.
- Offering a bowl of mov is a central gesture of hospitality in Hmong households, as providing rice is synonymous with providing a meal.
Examples in context
- Kuv xav noj mov.I want to eat rice.
- Mov no zoo heev.This rice is very good.
- Koj puas muaj mov?Do you have rice?
Example conversation
Xiong and Mai are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- XiongMai, puas muaj mov nyob?Mai, is there any rice left?
- MaiMuaj, Xiong. Nws nyob hauv lub hnab.Yes, Xiong. It is in the jar.
- XiongKuv yuav npaj mov tam sim no.I will prepare the rice right now.
- MaiUa tsaug, Xiong.Thank you, Xiong.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rice” translations and entries mov, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mov, CC BY-SA 4.0.
