أنا جائع
Ana ja'e'
أنا جائع (Ana ja'e') is the Arabic phrase for "I am hungry".
This phrase is used to express the need to eat food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the pronoun أنا (I) and the adjective جائع (hungry). In the present tense, the verb "to be" is omitted, so the literal translation is "I hungry".
How does it change in a sentence?
A female speaker should use the feminine form أنا جائعة instead of the masculine أنا جائع.
How do you pronounce it?
Ana ja'e'
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, instead of saying أنا جائع, people use the phrase أنا جوعان because the adjective جائع is often perceived as too formal for a dinner table.
- The pronoun أنا shares a common ancient ancestor with the Hebrew word אני (aní).
- The formal word جائع is an active participle, which conceptually frames hunger as an active state of 'being a hungry person' rather than a passive feeling.
Examples in context
- أنا جائع.I am hungry.This sentence demonstrates the use of أنا جائع.Tatoeba #404103 by qahwa, translation #409602 by CC
- أنا جائع جداً الآن.ana ja'i' jiddan al-an.I am very hungry now.
- يا إلهي، أنا جائع!ya ilahi, ana ja'i'!Oh my god, I am hungry!
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are deciding what to do during their lunch break.
- زياد Ziadأنا جائع، هل نأكل شيئاً؟ana ja'i', hal na'kul shay'an?I am hungry, shall we eat something?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، أنا أيضاً جائعة.na'am, ana aydan ja'ia.Yes, I am hungry too.
- زياد Ziadماذا تريدين أن تأكلي؟madha turidina an ta'kuli?What do you want to eat?
- ليلى Laylaأريد بيتزا من فضلك.uridu pizza min fadlik.I want pizza, please.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries أنا, جائع, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
