How to Say “Very Hungry” in Chinese: Formal and Informal Ways

Are you feeling famished and in need of expressing your hunger in Chinese? Knowing how to convey your hunger in different contexts and using proper Chinese phrases will surely come in handy. In this guide, we’ll explore both the formal and informal ways to say “very hungry” in Chinese, along with some regional variations. So, let’s dive right in!

Formal Ways to Say “Very Hungry” in Chinese

When it comes to formal situations or polite conversations, it’s essential to use appropriate phrases to convey your hunger. Here are some formal ways to express extreme hunger in Chinese:

1. 非常饿 (fēicháng è): This is the standard translation for “very hungry” in Chinese. It’s a formal phrase that you can use in any situation, whether you’re speaking to colleagues, friends, or even strangers.
2. 十分饥饿 (shífēn jī’è): This phrase translates to “extremely hungry” and carries a slightly stronger emphasis than “非常饿.” It’s appropriate in formal settings, such as business meetings or official gatherings.
3. 饥肠辘辘 (jī cháng lù lù): Quite a poetic expression, this phrase means “my belly growls” and is used to convey intense hunger in a formal context.

Informal Ways to Say “Very Hungry” in Chinese

If you find yourself in a casual setting, among friends, or simply having a friendly conversation, here are some informal phrases to express your hunger in Chinese:

1. 超级饿 (chāojí è): When you want to say “very hungry” in a more casual manner, this phrase will do the trick. It’s commonly used among friends and peers.
2. 饿死了 (è sǐ le): A popular, informal way to say “I’m starving” or “I’m so hungry I could die.” It adds a sense of exaggeration and is commonly used in daily conversations.
3. 肚子饿扁了 (dùzi è biǎn le): This phrase literally means “my stomach is flattened due to hunger” and is used playfully to describe extreme hunger among friends or family.

Regional Variations

Chinese culture and language have various regional variations, each with its own unique expressions. However, the concept of hunger is generally understood throughout China. In some regions, you might hear these additional phrases:

饿出血了 (è chū xiě le): This phrase roughly translates to “so hungry my blood is flowing out” and is a vivid expression used in certain dialects or regional slang.

Remember, regional variations are not as commonly understood across the entire Chinese-speaking world, so it’s best to stick with the more universally recognized phrases mentioned earlier.

Tips and Examples

To better understand the usage of these hunger phrases in Chinese, let’s take a look at some examples and tips:

1. Example Sentences Using Formal Phrases:

• 我饿得站不稳了。(Wǒ è de zhàn bù wěn le.) – I’m so hungry I can’t stand properly.
• 她很久没吃东西了，已经非常饥饿了。(Tā hěn jiǔ méi chī dōngxi le, yǐjīng fēicháng jī’è le.) – She hasn’t eaten anything for a long time and is extremely hungry now.

2. Example Sentences Using Informal Phrases:

• 我饿死了，你们要不要一起去吃饭？(Wǒ è sǐ le, nǐmen yào bùyào yīqǐ qù chīfàn?) – I’m starving, do you want to go eat together?
• 超级饿，我现在只想吃点东西。(Chāojí è, wǒ xiànzài zhǐ xiǎng chī diǎn dōngxi.) – I’m really hungry, I just want to eat something right now.

Remember to adjust your tone and language choice based on the formality of the situation and your relationship with the person you’re speaking to.