cilantro
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 cilantro
This is the aromatic herb commonly used as a garnish and seasoning in Thai cooking. By itself, the word usually refers to fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems.
cilantro
It refers to fresh cilantro, especially the leaves and tender stems used in cooking.
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ไม่ใส่ผักชีครับ mây sày phàkchii khráp No cilantro, please. ไม่ใส่ผักชีครับ details
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โรยหน้าด้วยผักชี rooy nâa dûay phàkchii Garnish it with cilantro. โรยหน้าด้วยผักชี details
Learning notes
Explanation
ผักชี is an everyday ingredient in Thai cooking. Its fresh leaves and tender stems are added to soups, noodle dishes, and many other foods for aroma and color. On its own, ผักชี usually means fresh cilantro leaves and stems. The root is called รากผักชี and is often pounded with garlic and pepper to make a seasoning base. The seeds are called เมล็ดผักชี and are used as a spice. ต้น can classify whole plants or stalks, while ใบ can count individual leaves. In food orders, however, speakers usually ask for an approximate amount, as in ผักชีหน่อย, “a little cilantro.” The fixed expression ผักชีโรยหน้า describes a cosmetic or superficial measure that does not solve the underlying problem. ผักชี does not have this figurative meaning by itself.
Usage
The word is common in markets, home cooking, street-food stalls, and restaurants. When ordering, ไม่ใส่ผักชี means “no cilantro,” while ขอผักชีเพิ่ม asks for extra cilantro.
Caution
In English, “coriander” may refer to the seeds, but ผักชี by itself usually means the fresh leaves and stems. ผักชีฝรั่ง is culantro and ผักชีลาว is dill, so neither is the same herb as ordinary ผักชี. To request food without it, say ไม่ใส่ผักชี rather than ไม่ผักชี.