French · Food & Drink
"I'm thirsty" in French: j'ai soif
j'ai soif
I'm thirsty in French is j'ai soif — literally I have thirst. J'ai très soif strengthens it. Keep avoir + soif; je suis soif is wrong.
After sports
Attends — j'ai soif. Tu as de l'eau ?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce j'ai soif
Say it
zhay swaf
/ʒe swaf/
J'ai: zhay. Soif: swaf. Together: zhay swaf. Soft final f.
"I'm thirsty" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| j'ai soif | I'm thirsty Default. | Default. |
| j'ai très soif | I'm very thirsty Stronger. | Stronger. |
| tu as soif ? | are you thirsty? Offer cue. | Offer cue. |
| se désaltérer | to quench one's thirst Slightly formal. | Slightly formal. |
How to use j'ai soif in real life
- 1After sports
Attends — j'ai soif. Tu as de l'eau ?
Wait—I'm thirsty. Do you have water?
J'ai soif.
- 2Long meeting
Il fait chaud ici, j'ai soif.
It's hot in here; I'm thirsty.
Cause + phrase.
- 3Hiking break
On s'arrête : tout le monde a soif.
Let's stop: everyone's thirsty.
Avoir soif for others.
Mistakes English speakers make with j'ai soif
Incorrect: Je suis soif.
Correct: J'ai soif.
Thirst uses avoir: j'ai soif.
Incorrect: J'ai thirsty.
Correct: J'ai soif.
Use soif.
Good to know
Offering a drink is social glue: tu veux un verre d'eau ? after hearing j'ai soif. In cafés, une carafe d'eau is free table water. Summer heatwaves make j'ai soif a constant chorus.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Arriving home after a walk
ChatPal
Tu as soif ? Je sers de l'eau fraîche.
Are you thirsty? I'll pour cold water.
You
Oui, j'ai soif. Merci.
Yes, I'm thirsty. Thanks.
ChatPal
Moi aussi j'ai soif — deux verres.
I'm thirsty too—two glasses.
You
Parfait. Ensuite on se pose.
Perfect. Then we'll sit.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"I'm thirsty" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I'm thirsty" in French
How do you say I'm thirsty in French?
J'ai soif.
Why not je suis soif?
French uses avoir with soif.
How do you strengthen it?
J'ai très soif.
How do you pronounce soif?
swaf.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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