(のど)(かわ)

のどがかわく
expression
to be thirsty; to get thirsty
1. to be thirsty; to get thirsty; to have a dry throat
The standard expression for feeling thirsty. Literally means 'the throat dries out.' This is the natural way to express thirst in Japanese, rather than using a single adjective.
(のど)(かわ)いた。
I'm thirsty.
運動(うんどう)した(あと)(のど)(かわ)く。
I get thirsty after exercising.
(のど)(かわ)いたので、コンビニで(つめ)たいお(ちゃ)()った。
I was thirsty, so I bought a cold tea at the convenience store.

The standard Japanese expression for being thirsty. Literally '(のど) (throat) が (subject marker) (かわ)く (to dry out).' Japanese expresses thirst through this phrase rather than a single adjective. The past form (のど)(かわ)いた is very common in conversation to say 'I'm thirsty.'

USAGE:
The kanji (かわ)く means to become parched or dry from lack of moisture. Note the difference from (かわ)く (to dry, to become dry), which is used for objects like laundry.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (のど)(かわ)いた: I'm thirsty (past/resultative)
  • (のど)がカラカラに(かわ)く: to be extremely thirsty (throat bone-dry)
  • (のど)(かわ)きを(うるお)す: to quench one's thirst

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • (なか)()く: to be hungry — the parallel expression for hunger
  • (のど)乾燥(かんそう)する: for the throat to be dry — medical/physical dryness, not thirst