Italian · Food & Drink
"I'm thirsty" in Italian: ho sete
ho sete
I'm thirsty in Italian is ho sete (oh SEH-teh). Literally I have thirst. Ho tanta sete intensifies; bevo qualcosa follows.
After a walk
Ho sete—prendiamo dell'acqua.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ho sete
Say it
oh SEH-teh
/o ˈse.te/
Ho sete: oh SEH-teh. Soft s. Clear eh.
"I'm thirsty" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ho sete | I'm thirsty Default. | Default. |
| ho tanta sete | I'm very thirsty Stronger. | Stronger. |
| hai sete? | are you thirsty? Offer a drink. | Offer a drink. |
| sto morendo di sete | I'm dying of thirst Dramatic casual. | Dramatic casual. |
How to use ho sete in real life
- 1After a walk
Ho sete—prendiamo dell'acqua.
I'm thirsty—let's get some water.
Ho sete.
- 2Beach
Al sole ho sete subito.
In the sun I get thirsty right away.
Heat trigger.
- 3Kids
Papà, ho sete!
Dad, I'm thirsty!
Direct ask.
Mistakes English speakers make with ho sete
Incorrect: Sono sete.
Correct: Ho sete.
Use avere: ho sete.
Incorrect: Ho la sete.
Correct: Ho sete.
No article in the set phrase.
Good to know
Italians offer acqua naturale o frizzante when someone says ho sete. In summer heat the phrase is constant. Pair with ho fame when both hit after sightseeing.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering drinks after a museum
ChatPal
Hai sete?
Are you thirsty?
You
Sì—ho sete da un'ora.
Yes—I've been thirsty for an hour.
ChatPal
Allora due acque. Anch'io ho sete.
Then two waters. I'm thirsty too.
You
Grazie.
Thanks.
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 Italian
I'm thirsty?
Ho sete.
Very thirsty?
Ho tanta sete.
Why not sono?
Italian uses ho sete.
Are you thirsty?
Hai sete?
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
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
