Common Italian collocation
Pronunciation | |
Literal translation | To have thirst |
English translation | To be thirsty |
You do NOT say |
Although you could literally translate to be thirsty as essere assetato, where assetato is an adjective, this expression is almost never used in everyday life.
Ideally, you would say something like sono assetato!, I am thirsty!, to emphasize your condition: I AM thirsty (and I need water asap). If you just want to say that you’re thirsty, stick to avere sete.
Essere assetato | To be thirsty |

Examples
Sembra che il tuo cane abbia sete. | It looks like your dog is thirsty. | |
Ho sete. Dammi qualcosa di fresco da bere, per favore. | I’m thirsty. Give me something cold to drink, please. | |
Non mi ero reso conto di quanto fossi assetato. | I didn’t realize how thirsty I was. | |
Questi pretzel mi fanno venire sete. | These pretzels make me thirsty. |
Related lessons
- avere (to have)
- sete (thirst)
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