sed
/ˈsed/feminine
In Spanish, the English word 'thirst' is translated as sed.
The noun sed refers to dryness. While you can use the adjective sediento/a to describe someone or something as being thirsty, the most common way to express the sensation of being thirsty is by using the verbal phrase tener sed, which literally translates to 'to have thirst'.
Meaning: dryness (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun sed refers to the concept of thirst itself. If you want to use an adjective to describe a person, you would use sediento/a. However, the phrase tener sed is the way to say you are thirsty.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun sed is feminine, and it is typically used with the definite article la, such as in la sed.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsed/
Did you know?
- The word sed is a close relative of the medical term 'phthisis', which historically referred to a wasting disease of the lungs.
- In Spanish, sed is used metaphorically to describe an intense desire for something non-physical, such as sed de poder for 'lust for power' or sed de venganza for 'thirst for revenge'.
- While sed describes the feeling of thirst, the Spanish word sequedad refers to the physical property of being dry, like a desert or a piece of wood.
Examples in context
- Me muero de sed.I'm dying of thirst.This sentence demonstrates the use of sed to express an extreme sensation.Tatoeba #1753500 by Shishir, translation #35763 by CM
- Murió de sed durante la sequía.She died of thirst during the drought.This sentence shows how sed is used in the context of a drought.Tatoeba #1243039 by hayastan, translation #1346592 by marcelostockle
- Sus bocas están secas por la sed.Their mouths are dry with thirst.This sentence uses sed to explain the reason for dryness.Tatoeba #10939591 by JSKabylie, translation #10946881 by DJ_Saidez
- Después de esa actividad física intensa, experimento una gran sed.After that intense workout, I am experiencing great thirst.
- ¡Qué calor! Tengo ganas de tomar algo, tengo sed.It's so hot! I feel like having something to drink, I'm thirsty.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are hiking in a very dry area.
- JavierSiento mucha sed con este calor.I feel a lot of thirst with this heat.
- SofíaYo también, la sed es insoportable.Me too, the thirst is unbearable.
- JavierBebe un poco de agua, Sofía.Drink a little water, Sofía.
- SofíaGracias, Javier, necesito calmar la sed.Thanks, Javier, I need to quench my thirst.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thirst” translations and entries sed, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sed, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
