How to Say ‘I am thirsty’ in French
J'ai soif
zhay ay swaf
[zhay ay swaf]
💬 Usage Tip: French uses [avoir] here too: [J'ai soif] is literally [I have thirst]. This same pattern comes up a lot for physical states in French.
Phrase Breakdown
J'
[zhay]
I
Shortened form of 'je' before a vowel.
J'ai soif après la marche.
I am thirsty after the walk.
ai
[ay]
have
Form of the verb 'avoir' used with 'I.'
J'ai soif en été.
I am thirsty in summer.
soif
[swaf]
thirst
French uses 'have thirst' to mean 'be thirsty.'
J'ai soif, je voudrais de l'eau.
I am thirsty, I would like some water.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
What Learners Are Saying
“Moved to Lyon for a culinary apprenticeship. The food and restaurant scenarios were exactly what I needed — my French colleagues were genuinely impressed.”
Tom H., 38, Chef
“Studying in Paris and the academic French I learned in school was useless for daily life. This app filled the gap in weeks, not months.”
Nina W., 29, Graduate Student
“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”
Alex M., 42, Software Engineer