The NYT Mini Crossword is a compact 5x5 grid puzzle known for its clever wordplay, pop culture references, and general knowledge clues. Despite its size, it offers a stimulating mental workout that crossword enthusiasts love to tackle daily.
Today’s puzzle includes a fun mix of slang, familiar phrases, and descriptive clues. Below, you'll find both across and down clues with their corresponding answers and context to help boost your crossword-solving skills.
NYT Mini Crossword Puzzle Answers May 29, 2025
Looking for help with today's (May 29, 2025) NYT Mini Crossword puzzle? Here are some hints and answers for today's NYT Mini Crossword Puzzle.
Today's NYT Mini Clues and Answers for May 29, 2025
| Clue | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1A. Language heard in Bangkok | THAI | Refers to the official language spoken in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. |
| 5A. Major brand of athletic shoes | ASICS | ASICS is a well-known global manufacturer of sports footwear and apparel. |
| 6A. Language family that includes Swahili | BANTU | Swahili belongs to the Bantu language family, a group of over 500 African languages. |
| 7A. Language from which we get "pajama" and "khaki" | URDU | The English words "pajama" and "khaki" originate from the Urdu language. |
| 8A. Small amount of Manhattan? | SIP | A “sip” is a small drink, playing on the idea of drinking a bit of a Manhattan cocktail. |
| 1D. Old Russian rulers | TSARS | “Tsars” were the emperors of Russia before the revolution of 1917. |
|
2D. Language that’s third in number of worldwide speakers, after English and Mandarin |
HINDI |
Hindi ranks third globally in number of speakers after English and Mandarin Chinese. |
| 3D. Misbehave | ACTUP | "Act up" means to behave badly or cause trouble. |
| 4D. Sch. not far from Des Moines | ISU | Iowa State University (ISU) is located near Des Moines, Iowa. |
| 5D. ___ Dhabi | ABU' | “Abu” completes the name of the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi. |
1A. Language heard in Bangkok NYT Crossword
Hint: Official language of Thailand.
The Answer is THAI.
Why Is the Answer “THAI”?
Thai is the official language of Thailand and uses its own unique script; it's tonal and has five tones.
4A. Major brand of athletic shoes NYT Crossword
Hint: Japanese sportswear brand, often seen in marathons.
The Answer is ASICS.
Why Is the Answer “ASICS”?
ASICS is a Japanese athletic gear brand; the name stands for Anima Sana In Corpore Sano, meaning “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.”
5A. Language family that includes Swahili” NYT Crossword Clue
If you’re a fan of the New York Times Crossword, you’ve likely come across clues that play with language in clever ways. One such clue is:
Hint: Large African language group spoken across central and southern Africa.
“Language family that includes Swahili” (5 letters) The answer is BANTU.
Why Is the Answer “BANTU”?
The Bantu language family includes hundreds of languages spoken across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Swahili, Zulu, and Xhosa.
6A. Language from which we get "pajama" and "khaki" NYT Crossword
Hint: South Asian language with Persian and Arabic influences.
The Answer is URDU.
Why Is the Answer “URDU”?
Urdu, spoken mainly in Pakistan and India, contributed many words to English during British colonial times, including "pajama" and "khaki."
7A. Small amount of Manhattan? NYT Crossword
Hint: Just a tiny taste of a cocktail.
The Answer is SIP.
Why Is the Answer “SIP”?
A “sip” is a small drink; the clue uses a clever play on “Manhattan,” which is both a place and a type of cocktail.
1D. Old Russian rulers NYT Crossword
Hint: Pre-Soviet monarchs.
The Answer is TSARS.
Why Is the Answer “TSARS”?
"Tsar" (or "Czar") was the title used by emperors of Russia before the 1917 revolution; the word derives from "Caesar" and symbolizes imperial authority.
2D. Language that’s third in number of worldwide speakers, after English and Mandarin NYT Crossword
Hint: One of the official languages of India.
The Answer is HINDI.
Why Is the Answer “HINDI”?
Hindi, primarily spoken in India, is part of the Indo-Aryan language family and uses the Devanagari script; it's one of the most spoken languages globally.
3D. Misbehave NYT Crossword
Hint: Cause trouble or act out.
The Answer is ACTUP.
Why Is the Answer “ACTUP”?
"Act up" means to behave badly or cause disruption; it can also describe equipment or symptoms that are malfunctioning or recurring.
4D. Sch. not far from Des Moines NYT Crossword
Hint: Abbreviation for a university in Ames, Iowa.
The Answer is ISU.
Why Is the Answer “ISU”?
ISU stands for Iowa State University, located in Ames, Iowa, about 30 miles from Des Moines; it's known for its programs in science, engineering, and agriculture.
5D. ___ Dhabi NYT Crossword
Hint: Capital of the UAE; starts with this word.
The Answer is ABU'.
Why Is the Answer “ABU'”?
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates; "Abu" means "father of" in Arabic, often seen in place names and personal names.
