ข้าวเหนียว
kâao-nǐao/kʰaːw˥˩.nia̯w˩˩˦/
In Thai, "sticky rice" is ข้าวเหนียว (kâao-nǐao).
ข้าวเหนียว refers to a specific type of glutinous rice that becomes sticky when it is steamed.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of ข้าว (kâao), meaning 'rice' and เหนียว (nǐao), meaning 'sticky'.
Which one should you use?
ข้าวเหนียว specifically refers to sticky rice, whereas ข้าวสวย is the term used for regular long-grain steamed rice.
How do you pronounce it?
The two-syllable term is romanized as kâao-nǐao. The IPA transcription is /kʰaːw˥˩.nia̯w˩˩˦/.
Did you know?
- While 'sticky' is the literal translation of เหนียว, in Thai, this word can also describe the personality of a person who is 'clingy' or difficult to let go of.
- The word เหนียว (sticky) is also used in the phrase ใจเหนียว (jai nǐao), which describes someone who is stingy or reluctant to spend money.
- When eating ข้าวเหนียว, it is traditional to use your fingers to roll the rice into small balls rather than using a spoon and fork.
Examples in context
- ฉันอยากทานข้าวเหนียวกับมะม่วง (Chan yak than khao neow kap mamuang)I want to eat sticky rice with mango.
- เชิญทานข้าวเหนียวกับหมูแดงไหมครับ (Chern than khao niao kap moo daeng mai khrap)Would you like to try sticky rice with red pork?
- ขอถุงข้าวเหนียวสองใบครับ (Kor thung khao neow song bai khrap)May I have two bags of sticky rice, please?
- ฉันชอบกินข้าวเหนียวกับหมูปิ้ง.chan chop kin khao niao kap mu ping.I like eating sticky rice with grilled pork.
- ข้าวเหนียวร้านนี้เหนียวนุ่มมาก.khao niao ran ni niao num mak.The sticky rice at this shop is very soft and chewy.
- คุณจะรับข้าวเหนียวเพิ่มไหมคะ?khun cha rap khao niao phoem mai kha?Would you like some more sticky rice?
Example conversation
Two friends are ordering food at a street market.
- วิทวัส Witthawatสิรินทร์ จะรับอะไรดีครับSirin cha rap arai di khrapSirin, what would you like to have?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinขอสั่งไก่ย่างกับข้าวเหนียวค่ะkho sang kai yang kap khao niao khaI would like to order grilled chicken and sticky rice.
- วิทวัส Witthawatรับข้าวเหนียวกี่ห่อครับrap khao niao ki ho khrapHow many bags of sticky rice do you want?
- สิรินทร์ Sirinขอแค่ห่อเดียวพอค่ะkho khae ho diao pho khaJust one bag is enough.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ข้าวเหนียว, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
