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Thai

หมูเด้ง

Components

หมู
เด้ง

Pronunciation

mǔu dêŋ

springy seasoned pork

Native recording

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  1. 1 springy seasoned pork、pork paste
  2. 2 Moo Deng [name of a pygmy hippo]

This word usually refers to seasoned pork worked until it has a soft, springy texture. It is also the name Moo Deng, the famous pygmy hippo from Thailand.

1

springy seasoned pork、pork paste

Noun⭐️3 Common

Seasoned minced or finely processed pork prepared to have a tender, pleasantly springy texture.

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2

Moo Deng [name of a pygmy hippo]

Noun⭐️1 Rarely used

The name of a female pygmy hippo at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo who became internationally famous online.

Learning notes

Explanation

หมูเด้ง combines หมู, “pig” or “pork,” with เด้ง, “to bounce” or “to be springy.” As a food term, it describes seasoned minced or finely processed pork worked until it develops a soft, bouncy texture. It commonly appears in noodle dishes, soups, and Thai-style hot pot. Moo Deng is also the proper name of a female pygmy hippo at Khao Kheow Open Zoo. In this use, the word is treated as a name rather than translated literally.

Usage

As a food term, it is common on street-food and restaurant menus, especially when ordering noodles, soup, or hot pot. As a proper name, it appears in zoo-related conversations, news reports, social media posts, videos, and merchandise featuring the famous pygmy hippo.

Caution

The food หมูเด้ง is not simply minced pork, and it does not always mean a formed pork ball. Its defining feature is its springy texture. Context determines whether the word refers to food or to the pygmy hippo Moo Deng.

Differences from similar words

1 springy seasoned pork synonyms

  • ลูกชิ้นหมู usually refers to formed pork balls. หมูเด้ง emphasizes the springy texture and does not necessarily have to be ball-shaped.

  • หมูสับ is ordinary minced pork. หมูเด้ง is processed and worked to give it a distinctly tender, springy texture.

Component words

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