Bedeutung
Feeling the need to eat.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Grandmother' (Yiayia) effect: If you say you are hungry in a Greek home, expect a three-course meal within minutes. It is culturally impossible for a Greek host to let a guest remain hungry. In Cyprus, the hospitality is equally intense. The phrase might be pronounced with a slightly harder 'n' sound, but the sentiment of 'Meze' culture remains: you start hungry and leave very full. Second-generation Greeks often use 'I'm hungry' in English but keep the cultural expectation of a massive Greek meal. The phrase 'Είμαι πεινασμένος' is one of the few many heritage speakers retain. In Greek sports media, 'πεινασμένος' is frequently used to describe young athletes from poor backgrounds who have a 'hunger' to succeed and escape poverty.
Gender Check
Always look at who you are talking to or about. If it's a girl, use 'πεινασμένη'. If it's a group of people, use 'πεινασμένοι'.
Don't say 'Έχω πεινασμένος'
This is a literal translation from Spanish/French. In Greek, you ARE hungry, you don't HAVE hungry-person.
Bedeutung
Feeling the need to eat.
Gender Check
Always look at who you are talking to or about. If it's a girl, use 'πεινασμένη'. If it's a group of people, use 'πεινασμένοι'.
Don't say 'Έχω πεινασμένος'
This is a literal translation from Spanish/French. In Greek, you ARE hungry, you don't HAVE hungry-person.
Add 'ψοφάω'
If you want to sound like a local, say 'Ψοφάω στην πείνα' (I'm croaking from hunger). It's very common and very Greek.
The Polite Refusal
If you are full but a host offers more, say 'Ευχαριστώ, δεν είμαι πεινασμένος πια' (Thanks, I'm not hungry anymore).
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'πεινασμένος' based on the subject.
Η Μαρία είναι ________.
Maria is feminine, so the adjective must end in -μένη.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'We are hungry'?
How do you say 'We are hungry'?
'Είμαστε' is the 'we' form of the verb 'to be'.
Match the Greek phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the basic tense and gender variations.
Complete the dialogue.
Γιάννη, θέλεις πίτσα; Ναι, ________ πολύ!
Giannis is answering for himself, so he uses 'είμαι' (I am).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Gender Agreement for 'Hungry'
Masculine
- • Είμαι πεινασμένος
Feminine
- • Είμαι πεινασμένη
Plural
- • Είμαστε πεινασμένοι
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenΗ Μαρία είναι ________.
Maria is feminine, so the adjective must end in -μένη.
How do you say 'We are hungry'?
'Είμαστε' is the 'we' form of the verb 'to be'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the basic tense and gender variations.
Γιάννη, θέλεις πίτσα; Ναι, ________ πολύ!
Giannis is answering for himself, so he uses 'είμαι' (I am).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenSlightly. 'Πεινάω' is the everyday verb. 'Είμαι πεινασμένος' is more descriptive of your state, but both are used in casual conversation.
Yes! 'Ο γάτος είναι πεινασμένος' (The cat is hungry) is perfectly correct.
It is 'πεινασμένες'. For example: 'Οι γυναίκες είναι πεινασμένες'.
It might sound a bit too strong. For a snack, use 'Έχω μια λιγούρα'.
Add the word 'πολύ' (poly): 'Είμαι πολύ πεινασμένος'.
Yes, 'Πεινάω σαν λύκος' (I'm hungry like a wolf) is the most common slangy/idiomatic version.
Yes, the verb 'είμαι' changes to 'ήμουν': 'Ήμουν πεινασμένος'. The adjective stays the same.
In Greek, when 'σ' (s) comes before 'μ' (m), it is voiced and sounds like 'z'. So it's 'pinazmenos'.
Yes, 'πεινασμένος για εξουσία' is a common metaphorical use in news and politics.
If you are talking about yourself, you should know your gender! If talking about a mixed group, use the masculine plural 'πεινασμένοι'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Πεινάω σαν λύκος
specialized formI'm hungry like a wolf
Πεθαίνω της πείνας
similarI'm dying of hunger
Έχω μια λιγούρα
specialized formI have a craving
Χορτάτος
contrastFull / satisfied
Νηστικός
similarOn an empty stomach / fasting
