How to Say "thirst" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “thirst” is “sed” — use 'sed' when referring to the physical sensation of needing to drink water or other liquids..
sed
/sed//seð/
Examples
Tengo mucha sed después de correr.
I am very thirsty after running.
¿Quieres agua? Parece que tienes sed.
Do you want water? It looks like you are thirsty.
La sed era insoportable en el desierto.
The thirst was unbearable in the desert.
El joven poeta tenía una sed insaciable de conocimiento.
The young poet had an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Using 'Tener' for Thirst
Unlike English, which uses 'to be' (I am thirsty), Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have) for physical needs. You say 'Tengo sed' (I have thirst).
Intensifying Thirst
To say you are 'very thirsty', use 'mucha sed' (a lot of thirst), not 'muy sed'. 'Mucha' must be used because 'sed' is a feminine noun.
Connecting the Desire
When using 'sed' in this figurative way, you almost always connect it to the desired thing using the preposition 'de' (of/for): 'sed de poder' (thirst for power).
Saying 'I am thirsty'
Mistake: “Soy sed or Estoy sed.”
Correction: Tengo sed. Remember, you 'have' thirst, you don't 'are' thirsty.
sed
/sed//seð/
Examples
El joven poeta tenía una sed insaciable de conocimiento.
The young poet had an insatiable thirst for knowledge.
Tengo mucha sed después de correr.
I am very thirsty after running.
¿Quieres agua? Parece que tienes sed.
Do you want water? It looks like you are thirsty.
La sed era insoportable en el desierto.
The thirst was unbearable in the desert.
Using 'Tener' for Thirst
Unlike English, which uses 'to be' (I am thirsty), Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have) for physical needs. You say 'Tengo sed' (I have thirst).
Intensifying Thirst
To say you are 'very thirsty', use 'mucha sed' (a lot of thirst), not 'muy sed'. 'Mucha' must be used because 'sed' is a feminine noun.
Connecting the Desire
When using 'sed' in this figurative way, you almost always connect it to the desired thing using the preposition 'de' (of/for): 'sed de poder' (thirst for power).
Saying 'I am thirsty'
Mistake: “Soy sed or Estoy sed.”
Correction: Tengo sed. Remember, you 'have' thirst, you don't 'are' thirsty.
hambre
/ahm-breh//ˈambɾe/
Examples
Tiene hambre de poder y no se detendrá ante nada.
He has a hunger for power and will stop at nothing.
Después de años sin viajar, tenía un hambre de aventura.
After years without traveling, she had a craving for adventure.
Su hambre de conocimiento era insaciable.
His thirst for knowledge was insatiable.
Confusing 'sed' with 'hambre' for abstract desires
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