hambriento
/ahm-bree-EN-toh/
hungry
When you are hambriento (hungry), you feel the need to eat!
📝 In Action
El niño estaba muy hambriento después de jugar todo el día.
A2The boy was very hungry after playing all day.
Las perras hambrientas buscaron comida en la basura.
A2The hungry female dogs looked for food in the trash.
Si estás hambrienta, podemos pedir una pizza.
A1If you (female) are hungry, we can order a pizza.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number Match
As an adjective, 'hambriento' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Use '-a' for feminine nouns (hambrienta), '-os' for masculine plural (hambrientos), and '-as' for feminine plural (hambrientas).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "Soy hambriento."
Correction: Estoy hambriento. Hunger is a temporary state, so you must use the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) instead of 'ser' (to be permanently).
Hambriento can also mean eager, showing a strong desire for something, like starting a race!
hambriento(Adjective)
eager
?having a strong desire
greedy
?wanting too much power/wealth
,hungry (figurative)
?intensely desirous
📝 In Action
El joven artista estaba hambriento de reconocimiento internacional.
B2The young artist was hungry for international recognition.
Era una organización hambrienta de poder y control.
C1It was an organization greedy for power and control.
⭐ Usage Tips
Always Use 'De'
When using 'hambriento' in this figurative sense, you must always follow it with the preposition 'de' (of/for) to indicate what is desired: 'hambriento de conocimiento' (hungry for knowledge).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: hambriento
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'hambriento' to describe a group of women?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to say 'Estoy hambriento' or 'Tengo hambre'?
Both are correct and mean 'I am hungry.' However, 'Tengo hambre' (I have hunger) is much more common and natural in everyday Spanish conversation. 'Estoy hambriento' (I am hungry) is often used for emphasis, meaning 'I am really, really hungry!'
Does 'hambriento' always require the verb 'estar'?
Yes. When 'hambriento' describes a temporary state, like feeling hungry, it must use 'estar' (Estoy hambriento). It describes how you feel right now, not a permanent characteristic.