Durst haben

You simply combine the verb haben (to have) with the noun Durst. Since Durst is a noun, it always starts with a capital letter. You need to conjugate haben to match who is thirsty. For example, Ich habe Durst or Hast du Durst?. If you are really parched, you can add an adjective. Most people say Ich habe großen Durst. It’s simple, effective, and works every single time.

Use this phrase whenever your throat feels dry. It is perfect for a restaurant when the waiter arrives. It is great when you are hiking with friends. If you visit a German home, your host will likely ask you Hast du Durst? before you even take off your coat. It is also common in text messages. A quick Durst! sent to a friend is a universal signal to go grab a drink together.

Don't use this for metaphorical thirst. If you 'thirst for power' or 'thirst for knowledge,' this phrase is too literal. For those, Germans use specific compound words like Wissensdurst. Also, avoid saying Ich bin durstig. While it is grammatically correct and you'll find it in old books, it sounds a bit stiff. Real people almost always use haben. It’s the difference between sounding like a textbook and sounding like a local.

Germany has a massive beverage culture. From the world-famous beer to the national obsession with Sprudel (sparkling water), drinking is a social event. Offering a drink is the ultimate sign of hospitality. If you say you have thirst, expect a follow-up question about whether you want 'mit oder ohne Kohlensäure' (with or without carbonation). Germans take their water bubbles very seriously! Hydration is seen as a basic right and a daily priority.

You will often hear Riesendurst (giant thirst) when someone is extremely thirsty. Another fun one is den Durst löschen, which means 'to quench the thirst.' If someone drinks a bit too much alcohol, Germans say they drank einen über den Durst (one over the thirst). It’s a polite way to say someone is tipsy. You might also see Durstlöscher on juice boxes—it literally means 'thirst extinguisher.'