waterfall
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 waterfall
- 2 nam tok (spicy grilled-meat salad)
This word primarily refers to a waterfall. It is also used as the name of a spicy, tangy Thai dish made with sliced grilled meat.
waterfall
A natural feature where water flows or drops over a steep edge.
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น้ำตกแห่งนี้สวยมาก náamtòk hɛ̀ŋ níi sǔay mâak This waterfall is very beautiful. น้ำตกแห่งนี้สวยมาก details
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ที่นี่มีน้ำตกหลายแห่ง thîi nîi mii náamtòk lǎay hɛ̀ŋ There are several waterfalls here. ที่นี่มีน้ำตกหลายแห่ง details
nam tok (spicy grilled-meat salad)
A spicy, tangy dish of sliced grilled meat seasoned with chili, lime, fish sauce, toasted rice powder, and herbs.
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เนื้อน้ำตก nʉ́a náamtòk beef nam tok เนื้อน้ำตก details
Learning notes
Explanation
น้ำตก is formed from น้ำ “water” and ตก “to fall,” giving it the literal image of falling water. It is the ordinary Thai word for a waterfall and is common in everyday speech and travel information. When waterfalls are counted as places or attractions, แห่ง can be used as the classifier, as in น้ำตกสองแห่ง, “two waterfalls.” ชั้น is used when describing the number of levels or tiers in a waterfall. As a food name, น้ำตก usually refers to sliced grilled pork or beef mixed with chili, lime juice, fish sauce, toasted rice powder, and herbs. The meat is commonly specified, as in หมูน้ำตก for pork or เนื้อน้ำตก for beef.
Usage
In the waterfall sense, the word is common in travel plans, descriptions of natural scenery, and tourist information. In the food sense, it appears on restaurant and street-food menus and is used when ordering or discussing Thai food.
Caution
Without a food-related context, น้ำตก will normally be understood as “waterfall.” To make the dish clear, specify the meat, as in หมูน้ำตก or เนื้อน้ำตก. ก๋วยเตี๋ยวน้ำตก is a noodle-soup dish, not the grilled-meat salad. It has a dark, richly seasoned broth that is traditionally sometimes thickened with blood, although recipes vary.
Differences from similar words
2 nam tok (spicy grilled-meat salad) synonyms
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ลาบ is generally made with minced or finely chopped meat mixed with herbs, chili, and toasted rice powder. น้ำตก typically uses grilled meat that is sliced before being seasoned.