hambre
/ahm-breh/
hunger
Visualizing hambre (hunger): The physical feeling of needing to eat.
hambre(Noun)
hunger
?The physical feeling of needing to eat
starvation
?In more extreme contexts, like 'morir de hambre'
,famine
?When talking about widespread lack of food
📝 In Action
Tengo mucha hambre. ¿Cuándo comemos?
A1I'm very hungry. When are we eating?
El niño llora porque tiene hambre.
A1The child is crying because he's hungry.
La lucha contra el hambre es un objetivo mundial.
B1The fight against hunger is a global goal.
💡 Grammar Points
Use 'tener' (to have), not 'ser' or 'estar'
In Spanish, you don't 'are' hungry, you 'have' hunger. Always use the verb tener. For example, Tengo hambre means 'I am hungry'.
The Tricky 'el' in 'el hambre'
Hambre is a feminine word, but we say el hambre to avoid the awkward la-a sound. If you add a word to describe it (an adjective), that word must be feminine: el hambre terrible.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'estar' or 'ser'
Mistake: "Estoy hambre. / Soy hambre."
Correction: `Tengo hambre.` Remember, many feelings in Spanish are things you 'have' with the verb `tener`, like hunger, thirst (`sed`), and fear (`miedo`).
⭐ Usage Tips
How to say 'I'm starving!'
To really emphasize your hunger in a very natural way, you can say Me muero de hambre (I'm dying of hunger) or Tengo un hambre que me muero.
Visualizing the figurative use of hambre (craving/thirst): An insatiable desire for something, such as knowledge or power.
hambre(Noun)
craving
?A strong desire for something
thirst
?Figurative, e.g., 'thirst for knowledge'
,longing
?A deep desire
,ambition
?A strong drive for success
📝 In Action
Tiene hambre de poder y no se detendrá ante nada.
B2He has a hunger for power and will stop at nothing.
Después de años sin viajar, tenía un hambre de aventura.
B2After years without traveling, she had a craving for adventure.
Su hambre de conocimiento era insaciable.
C1His thirst for knowledge was insatiable.
⭐ Usage Tips
Pairing with 'de'
This figurative meaning almost always uses the structure hambre de [algo], which means 'hunger for [something]'. For example, hambre de éxito (hunger for success).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hambre
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence is the correct and most natural way to say 'I am very hungry' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people say 'el hambre' if 'hambre' is a feminine word? Shouldn't it be 'la hambre'?
Great question! `Hambre` is definitely a feminine word. We say `el hambre` simply to make it easier to pronounce. The `la` and the `a` sound at the start of `hambre` would run together awkwardly. This rule applies to any feminine noun that starts with a stressed 'a' or 'ha' sound, like `el agua` (water). Notice that if you add a describing word (adjective), it will be feminine: `el hambre terrible`.
What's the difference between 'tener hambre' and 'estar hambriento'?
They both mean 'to be hungry,' but `tener hambre` is much, much more common in everyday conversation. `Estoy hambriento` is also correct and means the same thing, but it can sound a bit more formal or dramatic, like something you'd read in a book. When in doubt, always use `tener hambre`.