I am hungry
in SpanishTengo hambre
/TEN-go AHM-breh/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to say 'I am hungry' in Spanish. It literally translates to 'I have hunger,' which is a key structural difference from English for expressing physical states.
Whether you're waiting for dinner or ordering at a restaurant, 'Tengo hambre' is the essential phrase you need.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Me muero de hambre
/meh MWAY-roh deh AHM-breh/
A very common and expressive way to say you're extremely hungry. It's a dramatic exaggeration, just like saying 'I'm starving' in English.
Estoy hambriento/a
/ehs-TOY ahm-BREE-en-toh/ah/
This is a more literal translation using the verb 'estar' (to be). While grammatically correct, it's far less common in everyday conversation than 'Tengo hambre'. Remember to match the ending: 'hambriento' for males, 'hambrienta' for females.
Me ruge la tripa
/meh ROO-heh lah TREE-pah/
This literally means 'My gut is roaring,' and it's the perfect equivalent for 'My stomach is growling.' It's a descriptive and slightly playful way to say you're hungry.
Tengo filo
/TEN-go FEE-loh/
A very common slang term in parts of Central America and northern South America. 'Filo' literally means 'edge' or 'blade,' so it paints a picture of your stomach having a sharp, empty feeling.
Tengo un hambre que no veo
/TEN-go oon AHM-breh keh noh VEH-oh/
A colloquial and colorful expression particularly common in Spain, translating to 'I have a hunger that I can't see.' It implies you're so hungry it's clouding your vision or senses.
Tengo la gusa
/TEN-go lah GOO-sah/
'Gusa' is slang for hunger, likely derived from 'gusano' (worm). The idea is that you have a little worm of hunger gnawing at your stomach. It's very informal and a bit playful.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best way to say you're hungry in different situations.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tengo hambre | Neutral | Any situation. It's the universal standard. | Never. It's always a safe and correct choice. |
| Me muero de hambre | Informal | Emphasizing extreme hunger with friends and family. | Very formal settings, like a business dinner with new clients. |
| Estoy hambriento/a | Neutral | Written language or when you want to sound slightly more formal or emphatic. | Casual, everyday conversation where 'tengo hambre' is more common. |
| Tengo filo | Slang | Very casual chats with friends in Central America or Colombia. | Outside of its specific regions, or in any formal or professional context. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy. The 'h' is silent, and the 'r' in 'hambre' is a simple flap, not a difficult roll. Just remember 'AHM-breh'.
The main challenge is remembering to use 'tener' (to have) instead of 'estar' (to be). Once you learn this rule for physical states, it becomes easy.
The main phrase is straightforward. Nuance comes from knowing when to use informal or slang variations, but the basic expression is safe everywhere.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use 'tener' instead of 'estar'
- Knowing which slang/informal variations are appropriate for which region
💡Examples in Action
Mamá, ¿ya casi está la cena? Tengo mucha hambre.
Mom, is dinner almost ready? I'm very hungry.
Paremos en esa taquería, ¡me muero de hambre!
Let's stop at that taco stand, I'm starving!
Disculpe la interrupción, pero no he comido en todo el día y estoy bastante hambriento.
Pardon the interruption, but I haven't eaten all day and I'm quite hungry.
¿Oyes eso? Son mis tripas que me rugen. Necesito comer algo ya.
Do you hear that? That's my stomach growling. I need to eat something now.
🌍Cultural Context
You 'Have' Hunger, You Aren't 'Hungry'
In Spanish, many physical states and feelings are things you 'have' (tener) rather than things you 'are' (ser/estar). You 'have' hunger (tengo hambre), thirst (tengo sed), cold (tengo frío), and sleepiness (tengo sueño). This is a fundamental concept that's very different from English and key to sounding natural.
Dramatic Expressions Are Normal
Using expressions like 'Me muero de hambre' (I'm dying of hunger) is extremely common and not considered overly dramatic in most casual contexts. Spanish conversation can be very expressive, and using these kinds of phrases will make you sound more like a native speaker.
Meal Times Matter
When you say 'tengo hambre' can be interpreted differently based on the time of day. In Spain, for example, lunch ('la comida') is the main meal and happens around 2-3 PM. Saying you're hungry at noon might just mean you're ready for a pre-lunch tapa, not a huge meal.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Estar' or 'Ser' Incorrectly
Mistake: "Saying '*Estoy hambre*' or '*Soy hambre*'."
Correction: Tengo hambre.
Forgetting Gender with 'Hambriento/a'
Mistake: "A female speaker saying '*Estoy hambriento*'."
Correction: Estoy hambrienta.
Using Regional Slang Everywhere
Mistake: "Using 'Tengo filo' in Spain or Argentina."
Correction: Using 'Tengo hambre' or 'Me muero de hambre'.
💡Pro Tips
Master 'Tengo Hambre' First
When in doubt, just say 'Tengo hambre.' It is 100% correct, universally understood, and appropriate in any situation, formal or informal. It's the foundation you should build upon.
Add 'Mucha' for Emphasis
A simple way to intensify your statement without using slang is to add 'mucha' (a lot/much). Saying 'Tengo mucha hambre' is the perfect way to say 'I'm very hungry' in any context.
Listen for Local Flavors
Pay attention to how people around you talk about being hungry. You'll quickly pick up on whether they prefer dramatic phrases like 'me muero de hambre' or use local slang. Mimicking what you hear is the fastest way to sound natural.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards frequently use dramatic expressions. 'Me muero de hambre' is extremely common. They also have unique colloquialisms like 'tengo un hambre que no veo' that aren't widely used in Latin America.
Mexico
Mexicans use 'me muero de hambre' very frequently. Slang like 'tengo la gusa' is common among younger people or in very informal contexts. Food is central to the culture, so talking about hunger is a daily constant.
Argentina
While 'tengo hambre' is the standard, simply exclaiming '¡Qué hambre!' ('What hunger!') is a very common and natural way to express it. The phrasing 'Me estoy muriendo...' is also frequently used.
Central America
The use of 'tengo filo' is the most distinctive regional feature. It's widely understood in countries like Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica as the go-to informal way to say you're hungry.
💬What Comes Next?
After you say you're hungry
¿Qué quieres comer?
What do you want to eat?
Lo que sea, no soy exigente.
Whatever, I'm not picky.
Someone asks if you're hungry
¿Tienes hambre?
Are you hungry?
Sí, un poco. ¿Y tú?
Yes, a little. And you?
You're at a restaurant and ready to eat
¿Listos para pedir?
Ready to order?
¡Sí, por favor! Nos morimos de hambre.
Yes, please! We're starving.
🧠Memory Tricks
This visual and sound association connects the key Spanish word 'hambre' directly to the concept of food and hunger.
This helps you categorize 'tengo hambre' with other similar essential phrases, reinforcing the grammatical pattern of using 'tener' for physical states.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is structural: English uses the verb 'to be' + adjective ('I *am* hungry'), while Spanish uses the verb 'to have' + noun ('I *have* hunger'). This pattern applies to many other physical sensations like thirst, sleepiness, and being hot or cold. Internalizing this 'tener' structure is a major step in thinking in Spanish rather than just translating from English.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: While 'I am starving' can sometimes literally mean starvation, it's almost always used as an exaggeration for being very hungry. The Spanish phrase 'Estoy hambriento/a' is much more literal and less common.
Use instead: The best cultural and conversational equivalent for 'I'm starving' is the equally dramatic and common Spanish phrase 'Me muero de hambre' (I'm dying of hunger).
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
I am thirsty
It follows the exact same 'Tengo + noun' structure ('Tengo sed') and is another essential physical state.
What do you want to eat?
This is the most logical next question in a conversation after someone says they are hungry.
The food is delicious
After you've satisfied your hunger, you'll want to know how to compliment the food.
Can I have the check, please?
It completes the entire sequence of a restaurant or dining experience.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I am hungry
Question 1 of 4
You're with friends in Mexico and you haven't eaten all day. What's the most natural and common way to express that you're extremely hungry?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ever okay to say 'Estoy hambriento'?
Yes, it's grammatically correct, but it's just not the most common or natural way to say it in conversation. 'Tengo hambre' is used probably 95% of the time. You might use 'estoy hambriento/a' for emphasis, in a more formal context, or in writing, but for daily use, stick with 'tengo hambre'.
What's the difference between 'hambre' and 'hambriento'?
'Hambre' is a noun that means 'hunger'. 'Hambriento' (or 'hambrienta') is an adjective that means 'hungry'. This is why you 'have hunger' ('tengo hambre') but you 'are hungry' ('estoy hambriento').
How do I say 'I'm a little hungry'?
It's very simple! Just add 'un poco de' before the noun. You would say, 'Tengo un poco de hambre.' This is a very useful and common phrase.
Can I use 'Me muero de hambre' in a restaurant?
Absolutely! It's very common. When the waiter comes to your table, you could say with a smile, '¡Qué bueno que llegó! Nos morimos de hambre.' ('Glad you're here! We're starving.'). It's friendly and shows you're eager to order.
Why do Spanish speakers use 'tener' for feelings like hunger?
It's a core concept in the language where many internal or physical states are viewed as things you possess temporarily. Think of it like having a condition: you 'have' hunger, you 'have' thirst ('sed'), you 'have' sleepiness ('sueño'), and you 'have' cold ('frío'). It's a different way of looking at the world compared to English.
Is 'Tengo hambre' formal or informal?
It's neutral, which is great because it means you can use it in any situation. You can say it to your best friend, your boss, a waiter, or a child. It's always appropriate.
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