A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "I'm thirsty" in Spanish
Express your thirst in Spanish with 'Tengo sed,' the common way to say 'I'm thirsty.'
Tengo sed
TEN-go SEDneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when you feel a strong need to drink something. It's perfect for ordering water at a restaurant or asking a friend for a beverage.
Alternatives
- Estoy sedientoMore formal or literary, less common in everyday speech.
- Me muero de sedUsed when you are extremely thirsty.
Ways to get it wrong
Don't use 'estar'
Spanish uses 'tener' (to have) for thirst, so say 'Tengo sed' (I have thirst), not 'Estoy sediento' unless you mean 'I am thirsty' in a more descriptive sense.
Pronounce the 'd'
The 'd' in 'sed' is pronounced, not silent like in English 'said'.
A small cultural note
While 'Tengo sed' is universal, in some very hot regions, people might add emphasis like 'Tengo mucha sed' (I'm very thirsty).
Frequently asked
What's the difference between tengo sed and estoy sediento?
'Tengo sed' is the standard, everyday way to say you are thirsty. 'Estoy sediento' is more formal and less common in casual conversation.
How do I say I'm really thirsty in Spanish?
You can say 'Tengo mucha sed' to express you are very thirsty. For extreme thirst, 'Me muero de sed' (I'm dying of thirst) is also used.
Can I use 'estar' for thirst?
Generally, no. Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have) with the noun 'sed' (thirst) to express this feeling, so 'Tengo sed' is correct.
