Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hambriento | /amˈbɾjento/ | |
| tener hambre | /teneɾ ambɾe/ (from spelling rules) | |
| con hambre | /kon ambɾe/ (from spelling rules) | |
| hacer hambre | /aθeɾ ambɾe/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ ambɾe/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
colloquial |
| hambroso | /ambɾoso/ (from spelling rules) | Venezuela |
To say you are affected by hunger or desirous of food, you can use the adjective hambriento or the phrase tener hambre. For an informal way to say you are starving, you can say Estoy muerto de hambre, which literally means 'I'm dead from hunger'. In Mexico, you might hear the informal expression Tengo un chingo de hambre to emphasize hunger.
Which one should you use?
The adjective hambriento is often used to describe a physical state of being hungry or a person who looks hungry. In contrast, tener hambre is the standard way to express the sensation of needing food.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase hacer hambre is a colloquial way to express hunger. To emphasize hunger in an informal way, you can use Estoy muerto de hambre or, in Mexico, Tengo un chingo de hambre.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Venezuela, the colloquial term hambroso is used to mean hungry.
How does it change in a sentence?
While English uses the verb 'to be' with hungry, Spanish commonly uses the verb tener (to have) with the noun hambre (hunger).
How do you pronounce it?
/amˈbɾjento/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying soy hambriento to mean 'I am hungry'. Instead, use tengo hambre.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the term hambroso can shift from describing a physical need for food to criticizing someone as greedy or lacking manners.
- The Spanish word hambre is a linguistic cousin of the English words 'famine' and 'famish'.
- Using the verb tener to describe hunger is part of a broader Spanish pattern where physical sensations, like thirst or cold, are 'had' rather than 'felt'.
Examples in context
- Él se ve hambriento.He seems hungry.This sentence shows how to use the adjective hambriento to describe how someone looks.Tatoeba #1481658 by marcelostockle, translation #838899 by Scott
- Tom debe tener hambre.Tom must be hungry.This sentence demonstrates the standard use of the phrase tener hambre.Tatoeba #1185908 by marcelostockle, translation #1164412 by CK
- Yo me sentí con hambre.I felt hungry.This sentence illustrates the use of the phrase con hambre.Tatoeba #4592743 by Francisco_M, translation #18154 by CK
- Estoy tan hambriento que podría comer un elefante.I'm so hungry I could eat an elephant.
- Siento una sensación de hambre, ¿hay algún lugar para comer cerca?I feel a sensation of hunger, is there anywhere to eat nearby?
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are walking home from work.
- DanielEstoy muy hambriento después de trabajar.I am very hungry after working.
- LucíaYo también, ¿quieres comer algo?Me too, do you want to eat something?
- DanielSí, Daniel, busquemos un restaurante.Yes, Daniel, let's look for a restaurant.
- LucíaPerfecto, vamos rápido entonces.Perfect, let's go quickly then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hungry” translations and entries hambriento, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, hambre, hambriento, tener, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
