渇
か
つ
Meanings
1
Refers to physical thirst or a strong desire for something. Often used in compounds like 渇望 (かつぼう, craving) or 渇水 (かっすい, water shortage).
I drink water to quench my thirst.
He satisfied his thirst for knowledge by reading books.
Expressions
- 渇を癒やすquench one's thirst
- 渇に臨みて井を掘るfail to prepare in time; not dig a well until one is thirsty
- 渇に臨みて井を穿つto fail to make timely preparations; to not dig a well until one is thirsty
- 渇しても盗泉の水を飲まずbetter starve than fatten on ill-gotten wealth; don't lower yourself to unjust acts, no matter how desperate you are