Tengo hambre
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico "I am hungry" is Tengo hambre, literally "I have hunger". For very hungry say Estoy muerto de hambre, and an emphatic form is Tengo un hambre.
Meaning: wanting food (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| Tengo hambre | everyday, Mexico |
| Estoy muerto de hambre | very hungry |
| Tengo un hambre | emphatic |
To say someone is hungry, ¿Tienes hambre? is the plain question. Mexicans may add Me muero de hambre for "I am starving".
How does it change in a sentence?
Spanish uses tener, not estar. Do not say estoy hambriento in daily talk, which sounds literary. The noun hambre is feminine but takes el as in mucha hambre.
When do people say it?
Hosts in Mexico often ask ¿Ya comiste? and insist you eat, even when you say you are not hungry.
Did you know?
- The question ¿Ya comiste? works in Mexico as a caring greeting, much like "have you eaten?" in other cultures.
Examples in context
- Tengo hambre.I am hungry.
- Mis hijos tienen mucha hambre.My children are very hungry.
Example conversation
Beto and Karen walk home from school in Mexico City.
- Beto¿Tienes hambre?Are you hungry?
- KarenSí, me muero de hambre.Yes, I am starving.
- BetoVamos por unos tacos.Let us get some tacos.
