من تشنهام
man teshne-am
I am thirsty
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential way to express thirst in Persian, used from the desert heat to the dinner table.
- Means: 'I am thirsty' (literally 'I thirsty-am').
- Used in: Casual conversations, restaurants, or when asking for water at home.
- Don't confuse: Don't use the verb 'to have' (dâram) like in Spanish or French.
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
Used to express the feeling of thirst.
Cultural Background
In Iran, if you say you are thirsty, it is considered a duty for the host to provide water. Even if you don't ask, water or tea is usually the first thing offered to any guest. Thirst is a central theme in Shia Islam, particularly regarding the Battle of Karbala where Imam Hossein and his followers were martyred while thirsty. This makes the act of giving water to the thirsty a highly spiritual deed. Historically, wealthy people would build public water fountains called Saqqakhanehs so that passersby would never be thirsty. These are often decorated with religious symbols. When someone says they are thirsty in the summer, they are often served 'Sharbat', a sweet fruit or herbal syrup mixed with water and ice, rather than just plain water.
The Short Form
Always use '-am' instead of 'hastam' in daily life to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't say 'Dâram'
Never say 'Man teshne dâram'. It's the most common mistake for European language speakers.
Meaning
Used to express the feeling of thirst.
The Short Form
Always use '-am' instead of 'hastam' in daily life to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't say 'Dâram'
Never say 'Man teshne dâram'. It's the most common mistake for European language speakers.
Use 'Teshname'
If you want to sound really local, use 'Teshname' (تشنمه). It's the ultimate 'cool' way to say it.
Accepting Water
If someone offers water after you say this, it's polite to accept it, even if you only take a small sip.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct ending for 'I am thirsty'.
من تشنه ____.
The suffix '-am' corresponds to 'I' (man).
How do you say 'Are you thirsty?' informally?
Which one is correct?
The suffix '-yi' is the informal way to ask 'are you'.
Match the Persian to the English.
Match the following:
Matching the correct pronouns and verb endings.
Complete the dialogue.
A: هوا خیلی گرم است. B: بله، من خیلی ____.
In hot weather (havâ garm ast), one usually feels thirsty.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Be vs Have
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, it's a neutral statement of fact. To be extra polite, you could say 'Bebakhshid, kami teshne hastam'.
'Teshne-am' is standard. 'Teshname' is colloquial and very common in Tehran.
Yes, 'Teshne-ye ghodrat' is a common expression in news and literature.
You can say 'Dige teshne nistam' or 'Sirâb shodam'.
No, you can just say 'Teshne-am'. The '-am' already tells people you are talking about yourself.
Yes, 'Halâk-e ye ghatre âbam' (I'm dying for a drop of water).
Usually 'Âb mikham' (I want water) or 'Teshname'.
Constantly. Thirst is one of the most common metaphors for spiritual longing in Persian poetry.
Say 'Ye zare teshne-am' (I'm a tiny bit thirsty).
Yes, 'Sag teshne ast' (The dog is thirsty).
No, Persian is gender-neutral. It's the same for everyone.
It is an adjective. The noun for 'thirst' is 'teshnegi'.
It's a religious tradition to remember the thirst of Imam Hossein at Karbala.
Yes, 'teshname' is very common in texting.
Related Phrases
من گرسنهام
similarI am hungry
آب میخواهم
builds onI want water
سیراب شدم
contrastMy thirst is quenched
تشنه لب
specialized formThirsty-lipped
Where to Use It
At a Friend's House
Host: چیزی میخوری؟ (Chizi mikhori?)
You: آره، خیلی تشنمه. (Âre, kheyli teshname.)
After Jogging
Partner: خستهای؟ (Khaste-yi?)
You: خستهام و تشنهام. (Khaste-am va teshne-am.)
In a Restaurant
Waiter: سفارش میدین؟ (Sefâresh midin?)
You: بله، اول کمی آب بیارید، تشنهام. (Bale, avval kami âb biârid, teshne-am.)
Hiking in the Mountains
Friend: آب داری؟ (Âb dâri?)
You: نه، تموم شد. خیلی تشنهام! (Na, tamum shod. Kheyli teshne-am!)
With a Child
Child: مامان، تشنمه! (Mâmân, teshname!)
Mother: الان بهت آب میدم. (Alân behet âb midam.)
During a Long Meeting
Colleague: چای میل دارید؟ (Châyi meyl dârid?)
You: بله، ممنون. کمی تشنه هستم. (Bale, mamnun. Kami teshne hastam.)
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Tissue'. When you are 'Teshne', your mouth is dry and you might need a tissue (Teshne) to wipe your dry lips before you drink water.
Visual Association
Imagine a traveler in the Lut Desert of Iran, pointing to their throat and seeing a shimmering mirage of a water bottle. The word 'Teshne' is written in the sand.
Rhyme
Teshne-am, teshne-am, âb mikham, teshne-am! (I'm thirsty, I'm thirsty, I want water, I'm thirsty!)
Story
A little bird named 'Teshne' flew over the mountains of Alborz. It was so hot that Teshne kept crying out its own name, 'Teshne! Teshne!', until a kind hiker offered it a drop of water from a canteen.
Word Web
Challenge
Go to a local Persian grocery store or restaurant and, when appropriate, tell the staff 'Man teshne-am' or ask 'Âb dârid?' (Do you have water?).
In Other Languages
Tengo sed
The verb type (Have vs. Be).
J'ai soif
French uses a noun, Persian uses an adjective.
Ich habe Durst / Ich bin durstig
Persian almost exclusively uses the 'to be' form in speech.
喉が渇いた (Nodo ga kawaita)
Japanese focuses on the body part (throat).
أنا عطشان (Ana 'atshaan)
Persian lacks the gender inflection found in Arabic.
我渴了 (Wǒ kě le)
Chinese uses particles instead of verb conjugation.
목말라요 (Mong-malla-yo)
Anatomical focus in Korean vs. personal focus in Persian.
Estou com sede
Persian doesn't use the preposition 'with'.
Easily Confused
Both express basic physical needs and end in '-am'.
Remember 'T' for 'Teshne' and 'Tea' (water/drink).
Similar sounding words.
'Tasht' means a large bowl or tub, 'Teshne' is the feeling.
FAQ (14)
Yes, it's a neutral statement of fact. To be extra polite, you could say 'Bebakhshid, kami teshne hastam'.
'Teshne-am' is standard. 'Teshname' is colloquial and very common in Tehran.
Yes, 'Teshne-ye ghodrat' is a common expression in news and literature.
You can say 'Dige teshne nistam' or 'Sirâb shodam'.
No, you can just say 'Teshne-am'. The '-am' already tells people you are talking about yourself.
Yes, 'Halâk-e ye ghatre âbam' (I'm dying for a drop of water).
Usually 'Âb mikham' (I want water) or 'Teshname'.
Constantly. Thirst is one of the most common metaphors for spiritual longing in Persian poetry.
Say 'Ye zare teshne-am' (I'm a tiny bit thirsty).
Yes, 'Sag teshne ast' (The dog is thirsty).
No, Persian is gender-neutral. It's the same for everyone.
It is an adjective. The noun for 'thirst' is 'teshnegi'.
It's a religious tradition to remember the thirst of Imam Hossein at Karbala.
Yes, 'teshname' is very common in texting.
