What does it mean word for word?
The idiomatic phrase hast du Hunger? literally translates to "have you hunger?" rather than "are you hungry?"
Which one should you use?
You can also use the adjective-based form Bist du hungrig?
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group of people you know informally, such as friends or children, use Habt ihr Hunger? To maintain a formal tone with a single person, use Haben Sie Hunger? or Sind Sie hungrig?
How do you pronounce it?
/hast duː ˈhʊŋɐ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
While Bist du hungrig? is grammatically correct, it sounds unnatural in everyday German compared to the idiomatic Hast du Hunger?
When do people say it?
If someone asks if you are hungry, a standard positive response is Ja, ich habe Hunger. (Yes, I have hunger.). If you have already eaten and are not hungry, a common way to respond is Nein, ich bin satt. (No, I am full/satisfied.).
Did you know?
- The phrase Ich habe Bärenhunger literally means 'I have bear-hunger' and is used to say you are starving.
- German has a specific noun Fressattacke to describe a sudden, uncontrollable urge to eat, which goes far beyond simply having Hunger.
- The singular informal pronoun du is a distant relative of the archaic English word 'thou'.
Examples in context
- Hast du Hunger?Are you hungry?
- Sag mal, hast du Hunger?Tell me, are you hungry?
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are walking home from the park.
- HannahJulian, hast du Hunger?Julian, are you hungry?
- JulianJa, ich habe großen Hunger.Yes, I am very hungry.
- HannahSollen wir etwas essen?Should we eat something?
- JulianDas ist eine gute Idee.That is a good idea.
