Translation guide
The physical need to drink, or a strong desire for something.
Expressing the need to drink water or other liquids.
The most common way to say 'I'm thirsty' or 'to become thirsty'. Literally 'throat becomes dry'.
Noun form meaning 'thirst' as a sensation or condition.
喉の渇きを感じる。
I feel thirst.
More abstract or literary word for 'thirst', can also mean 'dryness'.
Expressing a strong craving or longing for something, often abstract.
Do not directly translate 'thirst' as a standalone noun in physical contexts. Use 喉が渇く (のどがかわく) instead of saying 渇き (かわき) in casual conversation, as the latter sounds literary or abstract.
渇きを癒やす。
To quench one's thirst.
A strong noun meaning 'craving' or 'longing', often used for abstract things like knowledge or success.
知識への渇望
A thirst for knowledge
Verb phrase meaning 'to thirst for ~'.
彼は成功を渇望している。
He thirsts for success.
Literally 'to starve for ~', used metaphorically for strong desire.
刺激に飢えている。
I'm thirsting for excitement.
A more general verb meaning 'to seek' or 'to desire', can be used for 'thirst for' in a less intense way.
彼は真実を求めている。
He thirsts for the truth.