Kou ke means thirsty, describing the physical sensation of needing water.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Indicates a feeling of needing to drink.
- Used when your mouth feels dry and needs liquid.
- Common in daily conversations and descriptions.
Overview
口渴 (kǒu kě) 是一个非常基础且常用的中文词汇，用来描述生理上的需求——想喝水。它由“口”（嘴巴）和“渴”（干渴）组成，直观地表达了嘴唇、口腔干燥，需要液体来滋润的状态。这个词在日常生活中使用频率极高，是A2级别词汇中学习的重点之一。
口渴主要用作形容词，直接描述人的状态。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合，构成更完整的句子。例如，可以直接说“我口渴了”，也可以说“天气太热了，我感到很口渴”。在表示程度时，可以使用“非常口渴”、“有点口渴”等副词来修饰。
口渴最常出现在以下语境中：
**文学作品和故事**：在小说、散文中，用来描绘人物的感受或环境的特点。
与“口渴”意思相近但用法略有不同的词语包括：
- 解渴 (jiě kě)：这是一个动词，意思是“消除口渴”。它描述的是“喝水”这个动作以及这个动作带来的结果，而不是“口渴”这种状态本身。例如，“喝杯水能解渴”。
- 干渴 (gān kě)：这个词比“口渴”程度更深，表示非常非常想喝水，嘴唇和喉咙都极度干燥。它也可以用作形容词，但语气更强烈。
- 渴望 (kě wàng)：这是一个更广泛的词，表示“迫切地希望得到”。它不仅可以指对水的渴望，也可以指对其他事物（如知识、成功、自由等）的强烈愿望。它通常用于更抽象或更强烈的愿望，而非生理上的口渴。
Examples
我跑完步，觉得非常口渴。
everydayI ran, and felt very thirsty.
请给我一杯水，我有点口渴。
informalPlease give me a glass of water, I'm a little thirsty.
长时间的会议让他感到口渴难耐。
neutralThe long meeting made him unbearably thirsty.
在沙漠中徒步，水是维持生命的关键，口渴是随时可能出现的状况。
descriptiveHiking in the desert, water is key to survival, and thirst is a condition that can arise at any moment.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
我口渴了
I'm thirsty
好口渴
So thirsty
让我口渴
Makes me thirsty
Often Confused With
'渴望' means 'to long for' or 'to yearn for', which is a strong desire for something, not necessarily water. '口渴' specifically refers to the physical feeling of thirst.
'解渴' is a verb meaning 'to quench thirst' or 'to relieve thirst'. It describes the action of drinking water to stop feeling thirsty, whereas '口渴' describes the state of being thirsty.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '口渴' is straightforward and widely understood. It's appropriate for most situations, from casual conversation to slightly more formal descriptions of physical states. Avoid using it for abstract desires; '渴望' is the correct term for that.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse '口渴' (thirsty) with '渴望' (to long for). Remember that '口渴' is a physical sensation related to needing water, while '渴望' expresses a strong desire for something more general.
Tips
Simple way to express thirst
Use '我口渴了' (Wǒ kǒu kě le) for a direct and common way to say 'I am thirsty'.
Avoid overusing '渴'
While '渴' means thirsty, '口渴' is the standard term for the feeling. '渴' alone can sometimes sound abrupt or incomplete in formal contexts.
Importance of hydration
In Chinese culture, offering water to guests is a common courtesy, reflecting the basic need represented by '口渴'.
Word Origin
The word '口渴' is a semantic combination. '口' (kǒu) means 'mouth', and '渴' (kě) means 'thirsty' or 'dry'. Together, they literally describe the sensation in the mouth when one is thirsty.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, offering a drink when someone visits is a basic gesture of hospitality, directly addressing the common need expressed by '口渴'. It's considered polite to offer water or tea.
Memory Tip
Think of '口' (mouth) being '渴' (dry) – your mouth is dry, so you need a drink!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“口渴”是标准的书面语和日常用语，表示想喝水。而“很渴”是口语化的表达，语气更随意，意思和“口渴”基本一样，只是更口语化一些。
当你感到嘴巴干燥，需要喝水的时候就可以用“口渴”。比如，运动后、天气热时、或者一整天没喝水的时候。
不可以。“口渴”特指生理上对水的需求。如果想表达对其他事物的强烈愿望，应该使用“渴望”。
可以加“了”，变成“口渴了”，表示口渴的状态已经出现。也可以加程度副词，如“非常口渴”、“有点口渴”。
Test Yourself
天气太热了，我感到非常______。
句子的前半部分描述了炎热的天气，后半部分需要一个表示生理需求的词，'口渴'最符合语境。
“口渴”指的是：
“口渴”的直接意思是需要喝水。
把下列词语组成一个句子：我 / 口渴 / 很 / 了
“很”是副词，修饰形容词“口渴”，放在形容词前。“了”表示状态的变化，放在句末。
Score: /3
Summary
Kou ke means thirsty, describing the physical sensation of needing water.
- Indicates a feeling of needing to drink.
- Used when your mouth feels dry and needs liquid.
- Common in daily conversations and descriptions.
Simple way to express thirst
Use '我口渴了' (Wǒ kǒu kě le) for a direct and common way to say 'I am thirsty'.
Avoid overusing '渴'
While '渴' means thirsty, '口渴' is the standard term for the feeling. '渴' alone can sometimes sound abrupt or incomplete in formal contexts.
Importance of hydration
In Chinese culture, offering water to guests is a common courtesy, reflecting the basic need represented by '口渴'.
Examples
4 of 4我跑完步，觉得非常口渴。
I ran, and felt very thirsty.
请给我一杯水，我有点口渴。
Please give me a glass of water, I'm a little thirsty.
长时间的会议让他感到口渴难耐。
The long meeting made him unbearably thirsty.
在沙漠中徒步，水是维持生命的关键，口渴是随时可能出现的状况。
Hiking in the desert, water is key to survival, and thirst is a condition that can arise at any moment.
