ఆకలి
ākali/aːkali/
The English word hungry is translated into Telugu as ఆకలి (ākali).
The word ఆకలి functions as a noun meaning 'hunger' in most grammatical constructions. In Telugu, hunger is typically expressed using the verb వేయడం (vēyaḍam – to strike/happen/feel) rather than the verb 'to be'.
Meaning: affected by hunger, desirous of food (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
For example, ఆకలి వేస్తుంది expresses that hunger is happening or being felt. To express that you are currently in the process of feeling hungry, you can use the continuous form ఆకలి వేస్తోంది. For more formal or direct statements of state, you may see ఆకలి ఉంది or నాకు ఆకలి ఉంది.
How do you pronounce it?
ākali (aːkali)
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say నేను ఆకలి (nēnu ākali), which literally means 'I hunger' (noun). Instead, one should use నాకు ఆకలి వేస్తుంది (nāku ākali vēstundi), meaning 'To me, hunger is happening'.
Did you know?
- In Telugu, hunger is described as an external force that 'strikes' you. The verb వేయడం (vēyaḍam) used in ఆకలి వేస్తోంది originally means 'to throw' or 'to cast'.
- The word ఆకలి (ākali) is a cognate with the word 'sāka', which means 'hunger' in Southeastern Kolami, a language spoken by a small tribal group in India.
- Telugu uses a dative construction for hunger, meaning you say 'to me' నాకు instead of 'I' నేను. This frames hunger as an external sensation affecting the person rather than an internal characteristic.
Examples in context
- నాకు మళ్ళా ఆకలి వేస్తుందిI'm hungry again.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are feeling hunger again.Tatoeba #7207803 by bharath, translation #6633637 by Eccles17
- టామ్ నీకు ఆకలి వేస్తోందని అంటున్నాడు.Tom says that you're hungry.This sentence is useful for reporting that someone else is feeling hungry.Tatoeba #13350012 by rarmdhyymm, translation #6647624 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Pallavi and Ravi are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- పల్లవి Pallaviరవి, నీకు ఆకలి వేస్తోందా?ravi, nīku ākali vēstōndā?Ravi, are you hungry?
- రవి Raviఅవును పల్లవి, నాకు చాలా ఆకలిగా ఉంది.avunu pallavi, nāku chālā ākaligā undi.Yes Pallavi, I am very hungry.
- పల్లవి Pallaviమరి మనం ఇప్పుడే తినేద్దామా?mari manaṃ ippuḍē tinēddāmā?Then shall we eat now?
- రవి Raviఅవును, త్వరగా వెళ్దాం.avunu, tvaragā veḷdām.Yes, let's go quickly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ఆకలి, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ఆకలి, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
