در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used to express extreme hunger or being 'starving'.
- Very common in casual, everyday French conversation.
- Derived from old slang for the throat or gutter.
معنی
If you're so hungry that you could eat a horse, this is your phrase. It describes that intense, gnawing feeling in your stomach when you haven't eaten all day.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Walking home with a friend after a movie
On s'arrête prendre un burger ? J'ai trop la dalle !
Should we stop for a burger? I'm starving!
Texting a partner about dinner plans
Tu rentres quand ? J'ai la dalle grave.
When are you coming home? I'm seriously hungry.
After a long workout at the gym
Après cette séance, j'ai vraiment la dalle.
After this session, I'm really famished.
زمینه فرهنگی
The French often talk about being hungry even while they are eating. 'Avoir la dalle' is a common way to kick off a long discussion about what the next meal will be. In the 'banlieues' (suburbs), 'avoir la dalle' also means having the ambition to succeed against the odds. It's a sign of grit. While understood, Quebecers might more commonly use 'avoir le motton' or simply 'être affamé'. 'Avoir la dalle' is seen as very 'European French'. Many rappers use 'la dalle' to describe their hunger for fame and money. It's a recurring theme in lyrics by artists like Orelsan or Booba.
Watch your register
Don't use this with your French teacher unless you have a very friendly relationship!
Add 'grave'
To sound like a local, say 'J'ai grave la dalle.' It's the most common way young people say it.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used to express extreme hunger or being 'starving'.
- Very common in casual, everyday French conversation.
- Derived from old slang for the throat or gutter.
What It Means
Avoir la dalle is a very common way to say you are starving. It goes way beyond just being a little peckish. It implies a deep, urgent hunger. Think of it as the difference between 'I could eat' and 'I need food right now or I might faint.'
How To Use It
You use it exactly like the verb avoir. Just conjugate avoir and add la dalle at the end. It is simple and punchy. You can even add grave or trop to emphasize it. For example, j'ai trop la dalle means you are absolutely famished. It is a staple of daily conversation.
When To Use It
Use this when you are with friends or family. It is perfect for that moment after a long hike. Or when you realize you skipped lunch and it is now 4 PM. It is great for texting your roommate to see what is for dinner. It feels authentic and very 'local.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in a fancy restaurant or a job interview. It is a bit too 'rough' for polite company. You would not say this to your boss during a formal lunch. In those cases, stick to the classic j'ai très faim. It is not a swear word, but it is definitely not elegant.
Cultural Background
The word dalle originally referred to a stone slab or a gutter. In old slang, it became a metaphor for the throat or the 'conduit' for food. Having a 'slab' meant your throat was wide open and waiting to be filled. It has been around since the 19th century. Today, it is one of the most used slang terms in France.
Common Variations
You might hear avoir la dalle creuse which means 'to have a hollow slab.' This is even more intense. Younger people often say j'ai la dalle sa mère for extreme emphasis. There is also the expression crever la dalle. This literally means 'to die of hunger' and is very dramatic. Use it when you want to complain loudly about the wait for your pizza.
نکات کاربردی
This is a quintessentially informal expression. It sits comfortably between standard 'informal' and 'slang'. Use it with people you know well.
Watch your register
Don't use this with your French teacher unless you have a very friendly relationship!
Add 'grave'
To sound like a local, say 'J'ai grave la dalle.' It's the most common way young people say it.
The 'D' variation
You might hear 'J'ai la d' in very casual urban settings. It's just a shorter version.
مثالها
6On s'arrête prendre un burger ? J'ai trop la dalle !
Should we stop for a burger? I'm starving!
A classic casual use among peers.
Tu rentres quand ? J'ai la dalle grave.
When are you coming home? I'm seriously hungry.
The addition of 'grave' adds emphasis in a text.
Après cette séance, j'ai vraiment la dalle.
After this session, I'm really famished.
Describes a physical need for fuel.
Vivement la pause, je commence à avoir la dalle.
Can't wait for the break, I'm starting to get hungry.
Appropriate for work friends, but not the boss.
Je n'ai pas mangé depuis ce matin, je crève la dalle !
I haven't eaten since this morning, I'm dying of hunger!
Using 'crever' makes it more dramatic and humorous.
Mince, il n'y a rien à manger et j'ai la dalle.
Darn, there's nothing to eat and I'm starving.
Expressing frustration at a lack of food.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the correct form of the phrase.
Il est midi, je n'ai pas mangé ce matin. ___ !
We use 'avoir' and 'la dalle' is feminine.
Fill in the missing verb.
On ___ trop la dalle, on va au resto ?
The idiom uses the verb 'avoir' (conjugated as 'on a').
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
When would you say 'J'ai grave la dalle'?
It's an informal phrase for casual settings.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Tu veux un biscuit ? B: Non merci, je veux un vrai repas, ___ !
The speaker wants a 'real meal,' implying they are very hungry.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Ways to say 'I'm hungry' in French
Formal
- • Je suis affamé
- • J'ai un grand appétit
Neutral
- • J'ai faim
- • J'ai très faim
Informal
- • J'ai la dalle
- • J'ai les crocs
- • Je crève de faim
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاIl est midi, je n'ai pas mangé ce matin. ___ !
We use 'avoir' and 'la dalle' is feminine.
On ___ trop la dalle, on va au resto ?
The idiom uses the verb 'avoir' (conjugated as 'on a').
When would you say 'J'ai grave la dalle'?
It's an informal phrase for casual settings.
A: Tu veux un biscuit ? B: Non merci, je veux un vrai repas, ___ !
The speaker wants a 'real meal,' implying they are very hungry.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
10 سوالNot exactly vulgar, but very informal. It's safe for friends but not for a job interview.
No, it's strictly for hunger. For thirst, you'd say 'J'ai soif' or 'Je crève de soif'.
The word 'dalle' is already feminine. It's always 'la dalle'.
Yes! It means you are just a little bit hungry, though 'un petit creux' is more common.
It's mostly used in France. In Belgium or Switzerland, it's understood but might be less common than in Paris.
Use the imperfect: 'J'avais la dalle.'
Usually yes, unless your family is very formal.
It's an old expression for someone who likes to drink a lot of alcohol.
Yes, in a metaphorical sense, especially in sports or business slang.
Because 'dalle' used to be slang for the throat/esophagus.
عبارات مرتبط
avoir les crocs
synonymTo be very hungry (literally: to have the fangs).
avoir un petit creux
similarTo be a little hungry.
crever de faim
synonymTo be starving (literally: to die of hunger).
avoir une faim de loup
similarTo be as hungry as a wolf.
avoir l'estomac dans les talons
similarTo be extremely hungry.
