渴
thirsty
kě
What does 渴 mean?
渴 (kě) is the adjective for 'thirsty,' describing the physical sensation of needing to drink. Like 饿 (è, hungry), it's a state adjective — use it with 很 (hěn, very) or another degree word: 我很渴 (I'm thirsty), 我有点儿渴 (I'm a little thirsty). You don't say 我渴 by itself in most contexts; Chinese state-adjectives need a degree word in affirmative sentences.
The 氵 (water) radical hints at the meaning — being thirsty is wanting water. There's also a metaphorical use in compounds: 渴望 (kěwàng) = to long for / yearn for, and 求知欲渴 (qiúzhī yù kě) = thirsty for knowledge. Don't confuse 渴 with the high-frequency 可 (kě, 'can / may / -able') — same pronunciation but completely different meaning and use.
Note:
Character breakdown
thirsty; eager (in compounds)
Memory hook: 氵 (water radical) on the left — being thirsty is wanting water.
Example sentences
我很渴，想喝水。
Wǒ hěn kě, xiǎng hē shuǐ.
I'm thirsty, I want to drink water.
spoken
你渴不渴？
Nǐ kě bu kě?
Are you thirsty?
spoken
天气太热，我渴死了。
Tiānqì tài rè, wǒ kě sǐ le.
The weather is too hot, I'm dying of thirst.
spoken
我不渴，谢谢。
Wǒ bù kě, xièxie.
I'm not thirsty, thanks.
spoken
跑完步以后我又累又渴。
Pǎo wán bù yǐhòu wǒ yòu lèi yòu kě.
After running I was both tired and thirsty.
neutral
Common phrases with 渴
Don't confuse 渴 with
可 means 'can / may / -able' (可以 = can, 可爱 = cute, 可能 = possible). Same pronunciation as 渴 but completely different — 可 is a function word, 渴 is the state of being thirsty.