If you tried today’s NYT Mini Crossword and got stuck somewhere, don’t worry—you’re definitely not the only one. The puzzle felt a little tougher than usual, especially with all the language-related clues. I figured I’d share the full list of clues and answers for today’s crossword in case you want to check your work or just couldn’t finish it.
A Quick Look at the NYT Mini
So the Mini is this short and sweet version of the New York Times crossword. It’s just a 5x5 grid most days, and it’s meant to be quick—like, you can finish it while waiting for your coffee to brew. It doesn’t take more than a minute or two, but depending on the day, it can throw you off a little. Today was one of those days for sure.
The cool part is that you can play the daily puzzle free on the NYT website or app. But if you ever want to check out past puzzles, yeah—you’ll need a subscription for that.
What Were the Clues and Answers Today?
Here’s what we got for Thursday, May 29. A bunch of clues had to do with languages, which made it kinda tricky unless you’re into that sort of thing.
Across Clues:
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Language spoken in Bangkok – THAI
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Big athletic shoe brand – ASICS
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Language group that includes Swahili – BANTU
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Language where the word "pajama" comes from – URDU
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Tiny amount of a Manhattan drink – SIP
Down Clues:
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Old rulers of Russia – TSARS
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Third most spoken language after English and Mandarin – HINDI
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To misbehave or cause trouble – ACTUP
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College not far from Des Moines – ISU
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___ Dhabi (capital of the UAE) – ABU
It’s one of those puzzles where even if you think you know the answer, the spelling might trip you up. I, for one, thought ASICS had an “E” in it. Nope. Got that one wrong at first.
Some Thoughts on the Puzzle
Honestly, this one felt like it leaned a bit more educational than usual. I mean, when three of your clues are about languages, you start wondering if it’s a vocabulary quiz instead of a crossword. Not saying that’s a bad thing—it’s kinda cool to learn stuff while playing a game. But still, it made me pause a couple times.
One clue that really made me stop was the “Small amount of Manhattan” one. I was overthinking it big time—kept trying random three-letter words tied to New York or drinks, and “SIP” didn’t come to me right away. But once it did, it felt obvious.
Also, ISU didn’t come to mind even though I live in the Big Ten area. Some clues just don’t click no matter how familiar they should be.
Should You Try the NYT Mini?
Definitely. If you like word games or just want something fun and short to do every day, this is a great pick. It’s challenging enough to keep you thinking but not so hard that it takes up too much time. And hey, if you get stuck, you can always come back and check clues like these.
Whether you're trying to beat your own time or just wake your brain up a bit in the morning, the Mini is worth a few minutes of your day. And sometimes, even when it’s tricky, it teaches you something new.
