饥渴 literally combines 饥 (jī, 'hungry') and 渴 (kě, 'thirsty') to describe the physical state of needing food and water. It often appears in formal or literary contexts—such as medical reports, news articles about droughts or famine, or classical-style writing—to emphasize severity or urgency.

Figuratively, 饥渴 is widely used to express intense, urgent desire for non-physical things—especially knowledge, truth, justice, or artistic inspiration. In this sense, it carries a slightly elevated or poetic tone, suggesting deep yearning rather than casual interest. Unlike everyday words like 想要 (want) or 喜欢 (like), 饥渴 implies emotional or intellectual deprivation and strong motivation to fill that void.