Inklingo
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apetito

/ah-peh-TEE-toh/

appetite

A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of a small, smiling child sitting at a table looking eagerly at a steaming bowl of soup.

Visualizing apetito as the desire for food.

apetito(noun)

mA1

appetite

?

desire for food

Also:

hunger

?

natural desire to eat

📝 In Action

Tengo mucho apetito después de correr.

A1

I have a big appetite after running.

¿Perdiste el apetito? No has comido casi nada.

A2

Did you lose your appetite? You haven't eaten hardly anything.

El olor del pan recién hecho me abrió el apetito.

B1

The smell of freshly baked bread whetted my appetite.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • saciedad (satiety/fullness)

Common Collocations

  • abrir el apetito – to whet the appetite
  • perder el apetito – to lose one's appetite
  • buen apetito – good appetite

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'Tener' with Apetito

Unlike English, where you 'have' hunger (I am hungry), in Spanish, you use the verb 'tener' (to have) with 'apetito': 'Tengo apetito' (I have appetite).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using Ser/Estar

Mistake: "Soy apetito. / Estoy apetito."

Correction: Tengo apetito. 'Apetito' is a noun, so you 'have' it, you don't 'be' it.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formality Tip

'Apetito' is slightly more formal or clinical than 'hambre' (hunger), but both are used constantly in daily life.

A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of a small character standing on a hill, looking with great excitement and longing toward a distant, brightly colored red kite flying high in the blue sky.

Visualizing apetito as a strong desire or craving for something non-food, like adventure or play.

apetito(noun)

mB1

appetite

?

strong desire or craving (non-food)

Also:

zest

?

enthusiasm or enjoyment

,

craving

?

strong desire for something abstract

📝 In Action

Ella tiene un apetito insaciable de conocimiento.

B2

She has an insatiable appetite for knowledge.

Su ambición le dio un gran apetito de poder.

B1

His ambition gave him a great appetite for power.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • deseo (desire)
  • ansia (craving/longing)

Common Collocations

  • apetito de poder – appetite for power
  • apetito sexual – sexual appetite/drive

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use Pattern

When used figuratively, 'apetito' is almost always followed by the preposition 'de' (of) to indicate what the desire is for (e.g., 'apetito de aventura').

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Intensity

You can emphasize a strong desire by using adjectives like 'insaciable' (insatiable) or 'voraz' (voracious) with 'apetito'.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: apetito

Question 1 of 2

Which phrase correctly expresses that you are hungry?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

apetitoso(appetizing) - adjective
apetecer(to crave/to appeal to) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'hambre' y 'apetito'?

'Hambre' (hunger) is the basic, physiological need to eat. 'Apetito' (appetite) is the psychological desire or the enjoyment of eating. You can have 'hambre' but no 'apetito' if you are sick, or vice-versa.

How do I say 'Bon appétit' in Spanish?

The most common and friendly way to wish someone a good meal is '¡Que aproveche!' (May it be beneficial/enjoyable to you!). You can also say '¡Buen provecho!'