喉が渇いた
nodo ga kawaita
I'm thirsty
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A fundamental phrase used to express the physical sensation of thirst by literally stating your throat has dried.
- Means: My throat is dry / I am thirsty.
- Used in: Casual settings with friends, family, or when muttering to oneself.
- Don't confuse: With {お腹|おなか}が{空|す}いた (I am hungry).
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Statement indicating a feeling of thirst.
Contexte culturel
In Japan, it is common to see vending machines every few meters. Stating '{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いた' is often the immediate precursor to stopping at one of these machines. When visiting a company, you are often served tea. Even if you are thirsty, it is polite to wait for the host to encourage you to drink before taking the first sip. The sound of cicadas and the phrase '{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いた' are synonymous with Japanese summer. People often eat 'kakigori' (shaved ice) to quench this thirst. The first drink is almost always 'toriaezu biru' (beer for now), prompted by the collective feeling of '{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いた' after work.
The 'Ta' Secret
Always remember that '-ta' doesn't always mean 'past' in Japanese; here it means 'current state'.
Don't say 'Watashi wa'
It's much more natural to omit 'I' (Watashi wa). Just say 'Nodo ga kawaita'.
Signification
Statement indicating a feeling of thirst.
The 'Ta' Secret
Always remember that '-ta' doesn't always mean 'past' in Japanese; here it means 'current state'.
Don't say 'Watashi wa'
It's much more natural to omit 'I' (Watashi wa). Just say 'Nodo ga kawaita'.
Teste-toi
Choose the most natural way to say 'I'm thirsty' to a friend.
友達に「お腹が空いた」ではなく、「喉が渇いた」と言いたいです。どれが正しいですか？
The past tense '{渇|かわ}いた' is the standard way to express the current state of thirst.
Fill in the blank to make the sentence polite.
すみません、{喉|のど}が_______。お{水|みず}をください。
When asking for something politely, use the '-masu' form.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a hot day after running?
'Karakara' is the onomatopoeia for being very thirsty/dry.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it sounds more like a continuous state (e.g., 'I have been thirsty for a while'). 'Kawaita' is much more common for the immediate feeling.
Only if you use the polite form: '{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}きました'. Even then, it's better to say it as a reason for a break.
'Kawaita' is the standard verb. 'Karakara' is an onomatopoeia that means 'completely parched.'
Because the throat is the subject that is drying. You aren't 'doing' the drying to your throat.
It's possible in very poetic Japanese, but usually, words like '{探求心|たんきゅうしん}' (spirit of inquiry) are used.
You would say '{喉|のど}は{渇|かわ}いていません' or casually '{渇|かわ}いてない'.
Young people might just say '{喉|のど}、ヤバい' (My throat is in a bad way/very thirsty).
No, for dry skin, you use '{乾燥|かんそう}している' or 'kasa-kasa'.
Not directly. You'd say '{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いたので、お{水|みず}をください' (Since I'm thirsty, please give me water).
Yes, '{喉|のど}から{手|て}が{出|で}る' (A hand coming out of the throat) means you want something very badly.
Expressions liées
{お腹|おなか}が{空|す}いた
similarI am hungry.
{喉|のど}がカラカラ
specialized formMy throat is parched/bone-dry.
{喉|のど}が{痛|いた}い
similarI have a sore throat.
{喉|のど}を{潤|うるお}す
contrastTo moisten/quench one's throat.
Où l'utiliser
After a workout
Friend A: あー、{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いた！
Friend B: お{水|みず}、{飲|の}む？
At an Izakaya (Japanese Pub)
Colleague: {今日|きょう}は{暑|あつ}かったから、{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}きましたね。
You: そうですね。まずはビールで！
During a long walk
Partner: ちょっと{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いちゃった。
You: あそこにコンビニがあるよ。
In a classroom
Student: すみません、{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いたので、お{水|みず}を{飲|の}んでもいいですか？
Teacher: はい、どうぞ。
Waking up in the morning
Self: うーん、{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いた...
On a date
Date: {喉|のど}、{渇|かわ}いてない？
You: あ、ちょっと{渇|かわ}いたかも。カフェに{行|い}こうか。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'No-Door' (Nodo) that is 'Dry' (Kawaita). You can't get the water through the door because it's stuck dry!
Visual Association
Imagine a desert with a giant throat-shaped cactus that is cracked and dry, crying out for a giant bottle of water.
Rhyme
Nodo ga kawaita, mizu ga naita (My throat is dry, the water cried).
Story
You are walking in a hot Japanese festival. You see a 'Nodo' (throat) sign. You realize your throat is like a 'Kawaita' (dried) riverbed. You find a vending machine and save yourself.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you feel even slightly thirsty, say '{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いた' out loud to yourself before you take a drink.
In Other Languages
I am thirsty
Adjective vs. Verb focus.
Tengo sed
Possession vs. Physical change.
J'ai soif
Noun-based vs. Verb-based.
Ich habe Durst
Preference for 'having' thirst.
أنا عطشان (Ana 'atshan)
Gender-inflected adjective vs. Neutral verb.
我渴了 (Wǒ kě le)
Very similar 'change of state' logic.
목말라요 (Mok-malla-yo)
Almost identical conceptualization.
Estou com sede
Condition-based vs. Result-based.
Easily Confused
Both involve the throat and a physical reaction.
{喉|のど}が{鳴|な}る (throat rings/growls) means you are craving food or looking forward to eating something delicious.
FAQ (10)
Yes, but it sounds more like a continuous state (e.g., 'I have been thirsty for a while'). 'Kawaita' is much more common for the immediate feeling.
Only if you use the polite form: '{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}きました'. Even then, it's better to say it as a reason for a break.
'Kawaita' is the standard verb. 'Karakara' is an onomatopoeia that means 'completely parched.'
Because the throat is the subject that is drying. You aren't 'doing' the drying to your throat.
It's possible in very poetic Japanese, but usually, words like '{探求心|たんきゅうしん}' (spirit of inquiry) are used.
You would say '{喉|のど}は{渇|かわ}いていません' or casually '{渇|かわ}いてない'.
Young people might just say '{喉|のど}、ヤバい' (My throat is in a bad way/very thirsty).
No, for dry skin, you use '{乾燥|かんそう}している' or 'kasa-kasa'.
Not directly. You'd say '{喉|のど}が{渇|かわ}いたので、お{水|みず}をください' (Since I'm thirsty, please give me water).
Yes, '{喉|のど}から{手|て}が{出|で}る' (A hand coming out of the throat) means you want something very badly.
