Japanese word

渇く

Pronunciation

Romajikawaku

Meaning

  • verbget thirsty

Example

塩辛い物を食べると、喉が渇きます。shio kara i mono o ta be ru to nodo ga kawa ki ma su

I get thirsty when I eat salty food.

Illustration for 渇く (get thirsty)

More examples

会議中に水を飲めず、喉が渇きました。kai gi chū ni mizu o no me zu nodo ga kawa ki ma shi ta

I got thirsty because I could not drink water during the meeting.

Core concept

Describes the onset of a bodily need for water, often felt as a sensation in the throat.

Common phrases

  • 喉が渇くnodo ga kawa ku

    get thirsty

Definition in Japanese

体が水分を求め、飲み物を欲する感覚が生じること。karada ga sui bun o moto me no mi mono o hos su ru kan kaku ga shō ji ru ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 渇く (kawaku, "be thirsty") has no certain transparent compound structure; its written form uses 渇 (katsu, "thirst"), while 乾く (kawaku, "become dry") uses 乾 (kan, "dry").

Usage tips

  • English often uses the adjective "thirsty," but Japanese uses 渇く (kawaku) as a verb to describe the onset of thirst.

Opposites

Related words

  • 渇きkawakithirstnoun

Word lists with this word