渇 (kě) - Thirst — the physical need for water & a strong desire or craving for something.

渇Tone 3

kě ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

俊梁

渇 · kě

Thirst — the physical need for water;

a strong desire or craving for something.

Thirst — the physical need for watera strong desire or craving for something.

Usage highlights

ThirstyQuench thirstThirst for knowledgeThirsty and hungryThirstThirsty lips

Synonyms

  • 渴— thirst (same character)
  • 口干— dry mouth

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I feel thirsty (我口渴).
  • He has a thirst for knowledge (他对知识如饥似渴).
  • Quenching thirst (解渴).
  • The plants are thirsty (植物渴了).

Collocations

  • Thirsty(口渴)
  • Quench thirst(解渴)
  • Thirst for knowledge(求知欲)
  • Thirsty and hungry(饥渴)
  • Thirst-quenching drink(止渴饮料)
  • Thirsty lips(渴唇)

Idioms

  • Thirsty for talent(求贤若渴)
  • Like a thirsty person thinking of a drink(如饥似渴)
  • Longing for something day and night(望梅止渴)
  • Drinking poison to quench thirst(饮鸩止渴)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 渴 combines the water radical (氵) with the phonetic component 曷, suggesting a state of needing water.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, thirst is considered an important diagnostic symptom indicating various imbalances in the body.
  • The concept extends metaphorically to describe strong desires beyond just physical thirst, such as thirst for knowledge or success.

FAQ