Definition
饥渴 literally means 'hunger and thirst' — the physical sensations of needing food and water. But it is very common as a figurative noun meaning an intense desire or craving for something abstract, like knowledge, success, or new experiences. You'll see it in phrases like 若饥似渴 (as if hungry and thirsty) to mean 'eagerly'.
n.
hunger and thirststrong desirecraving (figurative)
Examples
- 饥渴。Zài shāmò zhōng xíngzǒu de rén huì gǎndào jídù de jī kě.People walking in the desert will feel extreme hunger and thirst.
- 饥渴。Tā duì zhīshi de jī kě cùshǐ tā búduàn xuéxí.His thirst for knowledge drives him to keep learning.
- 饥渴。Xiāofèizhě duì yōuzhì chǎnpǐn yǒu yì zhǒng jī kě.Consumers have a craving for quality products.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.