der Durst
thirst
The physical feeling and need to drink something.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Sport hatte ich einen riesigen Durst und trank eine ganze Flasche Wasser.
After exercising, I was extremely thirsty and drank a whole bottle of water.
der Durst
thirst
der Durst
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Meanings
der Durst nach
thirst for
A strong, passionate desire for something immaterial, such as knowledge, adventure, or recognition.
EXAMPLE
Ihr unstillbarer Durst nach Wissen führte sie an die besten Universitäten der Welt.
Her unquenchable thirst for knowledge took her to the best universities in the world.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Durst, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Dursts |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Durst | – |
| accusative | den Durst | – |
| dative | dem Durst | – |
| genitive | des Dursts des Durstes | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
For the physical feeling, there are fixed verb combinations. You say 'Durst haben' (to be thirsty), 'Durst bekommen' (to become/get thirsty), or 'seinen Durst löschen' (to quench one's thirst).
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Wanderung hatten wir großen Durst.
After the long hike, we were very thirsty.
Ein Glas Wasser löscht den Durst am besten.
A glass of water quenches thirst best.
Preposition 'nach'
In the figurative meaning, 'Durst' (thirst) is always used with the preposition 'nach' and the dative. It describes a strong desire for something abstract.
EXAMPLE
Sein Durst nach Abenteuern war unstillbar.
His thirst for adventure was unquenchable.
Sie hatte einen großen Durst nach Gerechtigkeit.
She had a great thirst for justice.
No plural
In its main meaning, 'Durst' (thirst) is used as an uncountable noun and normally has no plural form. You do not speak of 'vielen Dürsten' (many thirsts).
EXAMPLE
Bei dieser Hitze ist Durst ein ständiger Begleiter.
In this heat, thirst is a constant companion.
Compare with
Durst vs Lust
desire / pleasure
Lust auf etwas usually refers to an immediate desire or liking. Durst nach something immaterial, by contrast, highlights a particularly strong, passionate, and often longer-lasting urge. Lust fits a spontaneous desire, while Durst is more suitable for an intense striving.
Durst
Seit Jahren verspürt Lea einen starken Durst nach Abenteuern.
Lea has felt a strong thirst for adventure for years.
Lust
Heute hat Lea Lust auf ein neues Abenteuer.
Today, Lea feels like having a new adventure.
In real life
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