Rice (noun) is a food staple that is valued in the world since it is consumed in almost every country. It mainly refers to small white or brown grains that have been boiled, steamed or fried as a component of dishes.
How to Pronounce “Rice”: Audio Guidelines and Expert Tips
Audio (UK):
Audio (US):
It starts with a clear r sound, followed by the long i vowel, like in “ice” or “nice.” Finish with a crisp s sound. Make sure the vowel glides smoothly from r to s, giving it a sharp, single-syllable rhythm: raɪs.
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Examples: How to Use “Rice” in a Sentence?
Rice is a worldwide delicacy, be it in the stalls of Bangkok or in the small kitchen of Madrid. It appears on family dinner tables, at party tables and in lunch boxes when at work. We will discuss the functionality of this humble word in real-life sentences.
What Are Synonyms for the Word “Rice”?
In order to sound more natural and not to repeat yourself, the following are some of the useful synonyms and related words that can be used to define “rice” and that you can use in other contexts.
Related nouns: grain cereal food
Synonyms (contextual): grain pilaf risotto
Common collocations: steamed rice bowl of rice rice dish white rice cook rice
“Rice” Word Formation and Description in Context
The ability to learn word combinations will make you speak with confidence and fluency. See the relationship between the word “rice” and other words within the common language.
With adjectives: boiled rice sticky rice fragrant rice golden rice
With verbs: cook rice serve rice harvest rice eat rice
With nouns (noun + noun): rice cooker rice field rice bowl rice grain rice pudding
Popular Idioms and Phrases with “Rice”
You will find plenty of colorful idioms and sayings in which there is “rice”, something that adds a little bit of personality and cultural flavor to your English.
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Rice bowl refers to a stable job or a source of income, especially a secure and long-term one.
William treats his teaching position as hisrice bowl — it keeps him safe and stable. -
Like white on rice is an American phrase that translates to be closely related or dedicated to something or somebody.
The detective was on the suspect like white onrice , watching every move he made.
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Rice and beans are a simple, basic meal; commonly referred to metaphorically as basics or essentials.
After college, living onrice and beans taught him the value of budgeting. -
No rice, no life is an informal expression applied casually in many Asian societies that value rice in their day-to-day lives.
He jokes that norice , no life because he can’t start the day without breakfast rice.
How Well Do You Know “Rice”? Take the Quiz
Having acquired the meaning of “rice” and its most common idioms, now it is time to check how good you are at using them.
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Expanding the Horizon: How to Say “Rice” in Other Languages
Curious to see how “rice” is said around the world? Here’s how this staple food is named in three widely spoken languages after English.
| Language | Word for “Rice” |
|---|---|
Spanish |
Arroz |
French |
Riz |
German |
Reis |
Rice Chronicles: Stories from Around the Globe
We would not keep you in suspense over the facts about one of the most significant and multifaceted foods of the world: rice.
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Rice is over 9,000 years old.
Domestication of rice traces in the Yangtze River valley in China has been dated by archaeologists to about 9,000 years. This traditional food item demonstrates the way the rice culture influenced human culture, cuisine, and commerce. Would you not like to eat the same grain people ate thousands of years ago? -
Rice was introduced to Europe centuries ago.
Rice had gained popularity in southern Europe in the 15th century, especially in Italy and Spain. Italian chefs quickly made it into the creamy risotto as we still know it today, and the Spanish chefs perfected paella, making rice an ingredient at their core. -
Rice can be free in some communities.
Rice is a staple food that has been used as a charity meal in most countries in Asia. Hospitability in Thailand, India, and Japan is a continuity as temples continue to offer free rice-based meals to the needy or pilgrims. -
There are rice-eating contests around the world.
Certain celebrations are in honor of rice, in which they have contests with rice-eating or rice-cooking competitions. In Japan and the United States, participants compete to complete bowls of rice within a set time or make huge amounts of rice within a certain timeframe as a demonstration of speed and skill.
Inspiring Sayings About Rice
Is it possible to abandon you without mentioning some of the most famous lines about rice? Not a chance. Quotes below will add to your knowledge of languages and even cooking motivation.
— Confucius
Explanation: This is eternal wisdom that highlights the importance of being self-sufficient and educated. It also educates that giving a person a tool to make it is much more important than temporary assistance, and that knowledge and empowerment can permanently change the life of the individual.
— Mitch Hedberg
Explanation: The late comedian’s clever remark plays on rice’s tiny grains and its sheer abundance, using humor to highlight how something so small can still be filling and essential.
— Henny Youngman
Explanation: A classic one-liner from the king of quick wit, this joke showcases Henny Youngman’s signature style of short, punchy humor.
