Translation and Meaning of: 渇く - kawaku

If you are learning Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 渇く[かわく]. It appears in everyday situations and even in songs or anime, but do you know exactly what it means and how to use it? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and contexts in which this word is used. Additionally, we will see practical tips for memorizing it and how it differs from similar terms. All of this so you can expand your vocabulary in a natural and efficient way.

Meaning and translation of 渇く [かわく]

The word 渇く[かわく] is a Japanese verb that means "to be thirsty" or "to have thirst." It describes the physical sensation of needing water, but it can also be used in more metaphorical contexts, such as the "thirst" for knowledge or success. In English, the most direct translation would be "to be thirsty," but it's important to remember that its use goes beyond the literal sense.

An interesting detail is that 渇く is often confused with 乾く[かわく], which means "to dry." Despite having the same pronunciation, the kanji and meanings are different. This distinction is essential to avoid mistakes in writing and understanding texts in Japanese.

Origin and usage of the kanji 渇

The kanji 渇 is composed of the water radical (氵) and the component 曷, which suggests the idea of something missing or being insufficient. This combination reinforces the sense of "lack of water," that is, thirst. The origin of this character dates back to ancient Chinese, where it already carried a similar meaning.

In Japan, 渇く is a common word in everyday vocabulary, especially in conversations about health, weather, or basic needs. For example, on hot days, it is normal to hear someone say "喉が渇いた" (nodo ga kawaita), which means "I am thirsty." This type of phrase frequently appears in anime and drama dialogues, making it useful for language learners.

Tips to memorize and use 渇く

An effective way to fix 渇く in your memory is to associate it with real situations. Imagine yourself on a summer day, after exercising, and think about how you would say "I'm thirsty" in Japanese. Repeating the word in practical contexts helps internalize it faster.

Another tip is to create flashcards with sentences like "水を飲みたい、喉が渇いた" (mizu wo nomitai, nodo ga kawaita – "I want to drink water, I am thirsty"). Including sound examples or images can also facilitate learning, especially for those who have a visual or auditory memory.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 渇く

• 渇く - Basic dictionary form
• 渇きます - polite form
• 渇いた - past form
• 渇いています - Present continuous form
• 渇かれる - passive form
• 渇ければ conditional form

Synonyms and similar words

• 乾く (Kawaku) - To dry, to become dry.
• 渇きを感じる (Kawaki o kanjiru) - Thirst; it is a state of desire for liquids.
• 喉が渇く (Nodo ga kawaku) - A dry throat; a common expression for being thirsty.
• 水分を欲する (Suibun o hossuru) - Desire for hydration; search for moisture.
• 乾燥する (Kansou suru) - Become dry; it can refer to air, environment, or surfaces.

渇く

Romaji: kawaku
Kana: かわく
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: to be thirsty

Meaning in English: to be thirsty

Definition: Losing water.

Example Sentences - (渇く) kawaku

See below some example sentences:

喉が渇く。

Nodo ga kawaku

I'm thirsty.

thirsty.

• 喉 - means "throat" in Japanese
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• 渇く - verb meaning "to get thirsty" in Japanese

乾いた空気が喉を渇かせる。

Kawaita kuuki ga nodo wo kawakaseru

Dry air makes the throat dry.

The thirsty dry air.

• 乾いた - dry
• 空気 - I'm sorry, but there seems to be no text provided for translation. Please share the content you'd like translated from Portuguese to English.
• が - subject particle
• 喉 - throat
• を - direct object particle
• 渇かせる - make you thirsty

口が渇いた。

Kuchi ga kawaita

I'm thirsty.

I was thirsty.

• 口 (kuchi) - It means "mouth" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - Subject particle in Japanese.
• 渇いた (kawaita) - The verb that means "to be thirsty" in Japanese, conjugated in the past tense.

喉が渇いた。

Nodo ga kawaita

I'm thirsty.

• 喉 - means "throat" in Japanese.
• が - a grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 渇いた - is the verb "to be thirsty" in the past tense, which indicates that the person is thirsty.