pearl
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 pearl
- 2 tapioca pearl、boba
This word primarily means a pearl formed inside a shell. It also refers to the round, chewy tapioca pearls added to drinks.
pearl
A smooth, lustrous pearl formed inside a shell and commonly used in jewelry.
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เธอใส่ต่างหูไข่มุก thəə sày tàaŋhǔu khàymúk She is wearing pearl earrings. เธอใส่ต่างหูไข่มุก details
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ไข่มุกเม็ดนี้สวยมาก khàymúk mét níi sǔay mâak This pearl is very beautiful. ไข่มุกเม็ดนี้สวยมาก details
tapioca pearl、boba
A round, chewy tapioca pearl used as a topping in drinks and desserts.
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ขอชานมไข่มุกแก้วนึง khɔ̌ɔ chaa nom khàymúk kɛ̂ɛw nʉŋ I'd like a bubble tea, please. ขอชานมไข่มุกแก้วนึง details
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เพิ่มไข่มุกได้ไหม phə̂əm khàymúk dâay mǎy Can I add extra tapioca pearls? เพิ่มไข่มุกได้ไหม details
Learning notes
Explanation
The original meaning is a pearl formed inside a shell. Because of their similar round appearance, the word is also used for the chewy tapioca pearls added to drinks. For jewelry, it appears in phrases such as สร้อยไข่มุก (“pearl necklace”) and ต่างหูไข่มุก (“pearl earrings”). At a drink shop, เพิ่มไข่มุก means “add tapioca pearls,” while ไม่ใส่ไข่มุก means “no tapioca pearls.” เม็ด is the usual classifier for individual pearls and tapioca pearls. For example, ไข่มุกสามเม็ด means “three pearls” or “three tapioca pearls,” depending on the context.
Usage
It means “pearl” in jewelry stores and when describing accessories or clothing. In cafés, street-food stalls, and drink orders, it usually means the tapioca pearls used as a topping.
Caution
มุก can mean “pearl,” but in casual speech it can also mean a joke or comic routine; ไข่มุก normally does not have that meaning. In food and drink contexts, ไข่มุก refers to the chewy pearls themselves, not the whole beverage. The drink is called ชานมไข่มุก or another full drink name.
Differences from similar words
1 pearl synonyms
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มุก can also mean “pearl,” but in everyday speech it may mean a joke or comic routine. ไข่มุก is the clearer general term for a pearl, especially when discussing gems and jewelry.
2 tapioca pearl synonyms
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เม็ดไข่มุก explicitly refers to the individual pearl-like pieces. In a drink shop, the shorter ไข่มุก normally refers to the tapioca topping by itself.