Questions & Answers about Wir sind durstig.
Why do we use sind in this sentence?
sind is the form of the verb sein (to be) that goes with wir (we). Since we are talking about multiple people, we use the plural verb form, exactly like how in English you say 'we are' instead of 'we is'.
Can I say Wir haben Durst instead?
Yes, absolutely! Wir haben Durst literally means 'We have thirst'. Both sentences are perfectly natural and mean the exact same thing. Wir sind durstig uses the adjective durstig (thirsty) with the verb sein (to be), while the other uses the capitalized noun Durst (thirst) with the verb haben (to have).
Since wir is plural, shouldn't the adjective durstig have a plural ending?
No, it stays exactly as it is! In German, adjectives only change their endings when they are placed directly in front of a noun (like 'the thirsty children'). When an adjective comes after a verb like sein (to be), it keeps its basic dictionary form.
How is the '-ig' at the end of durstig pronounced?
In standard German, the '-ig' ending at the end of a word sounds like a soft 'ch' (similar to the 'h' in the English word 'huge'). However, depending on the region, especially in southern Germany and Austria, you might hear people pronounce it with a hard 'k' or 'g' sound.
Learn Wir sind durstig and more in German
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free