Translation guide
The physical need to drink, or a strong desire for something.
Expressing the need to drink water or other liquids.
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.
A thirst for knowledge
Verb phrase meaning 'to thirst for ~'.
He thirsts for success.
Literally 'to starve for ~', used metaphorically for strong desire.
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.
He thirsts for the truth.