What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally means "my stomach has become empty". It is composed of お腹 (stomach) and 空いた (became empty), which is the past tense of the verb suku, meaning to become empty.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter お腹がすいた as an informal variation. For a more intense feeling similar to "I'm starving", you can use the casual expression お腹ペコペコ.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness varies depending on the form you choose. お腹が空いた and お腹がすいた are informal. To be polite when speaking to strangers or superiors, use お腹が空きました or the formal お腹がすいています. For a very casual and often masculine tone, you can use 腹減った. If you wish to express that you have an appetite in a formal manner, use 食欲があります. Adding お before 腹 makes the expression more polite.
How does it change in a sentence?
The most common way to express hunger is using the past tense お腹が空いた. However, it is also grammatically correct to use the progressive state お腹が空いている to describe your current state of hunger.
How do you pronounce it?
Onaka ga suita
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, stating お腹が空いた in a group can often be interpreted as a polite way of suggesting it is time for the group to go eat together.
- The word 腹 (hara) in 腹減った refers to the physical belly and is often linked to one's 'gut feeling' or true intentions in traditional Japanese idioms.
- The casual expression ペコペコ (peko-peko) is an onomatopoeia that mimics the sound of a stomach collapsing or shrinking from hunger.
Examples in context
- お腹がすいています。ラーメンが食べたいです。I am hungry. I want to eat ramen.
- お腹がすいています、お食事になりましょうか。I am hungry. Shall we have a meal?
- もう、お腹が空いた。mou, onaka ga suita.I'm already hungry.
- あ、お腹が空いた。a, onaka ga suita.Oh, I am hungry.
Example conversation
Two siblings are relaxing at home in the afternoon.
- 陽太 Yotaお腹が空いた。onaka ga suita.I am hungry.
- 陽葵 Himari私も、お腹が空いた。watashi mo, onaka ga suita.I am hungry too.
- 陽太 Yota何か食べよう。nanika tabeyou.Let's eat something.
- 陽葵 Himariそうだね、陽太。sou da ne, Yota.That's a good idea, Yota.
