Food and drink ข้าวหอมมะลิ kâao-hǎwm-má-lí
jasmine rice noun
- kâao falling
- hǎwm rising
- má high
- lí high
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
- Rising: start low, dip, then rise to the top, like a doubtful “Really?”
Parts: ข้าวkâao rice หอมhǎwm fragrant มะลิmá-lí jasmine
How to use it
Thailand's famous long-grain rice: หอมมะลิhǎwm-má-lí means "fragrant jasmine", for grains as white as jasmine flowers that smell sweet when cooked. Much of the best is grown in Isan. Once it's cooked and on your plate, it's ข้าวสวยkâao-sǔay, "beautiful rice".
The new crop, ข้าวใหม่kâao mài, harvested at the end of the year, is softer and more fragrant.
Other spellings you'll see
There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:
- khao hom mali
- kao hom mali
- khaohommali
- khao hom ma li
More food and drink in Thai
All food and drink- ข้าวเหนียวมะม่วง kâao-nǐaw má-mûang Mango sticky rice
- อาหาร aa-hǎan Food
Learn Thai with the free course
A complete course from your first phrase to real conversations, with audio for every word and AI speaking practice. Free, no sign-up needed.
Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones