Signification
Stating that you need food.
Contexte culturel
Danes are very punctual with meal times. If you say 'Jeg er sulten' at 12:00, it's expected. If you say it at 3:00 PM, people might find it odd as it's between meals. In Greenlandic Danish, sharing food is a huge part of the culture. Stating hunger is often an invitation for the host to share whatever they have, often traditional foods like dried fish. The 'frokostpause' is sacred. Saying 'Jeg er sulten' is a socially acceptable way to end a meeting that is dragging on. Among young people, 'sulten' can also refer to being 'hungry' for a party or social event, though this is more slang-heavy.
The Plural Rule
Always remember to add the 'e' and drop the 'n' for plural: sultne. It's the most common mistake for A2 learners.
Don't 'Have' Hunger
Even if your native language uses 'have', stick to 'am' in Danish. 'Jeg har sult' will make people look at you funny.
Signification
Stating that you need food.
The Plural Rule
Always remember to add the 'e' and drop the 'n' for plural: sultne. It's the most common mistake for A2 learners.
Don't 'Have' Hunger
Even if your native language uses 'have', stick to 'am' in Danish. 'Jeg har sult' will make people look at you funny.
Use 'Småsulten'
If you want to sound more like a native, use 'småsulten' when you're just looking for a snack. It sounds very natural.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'sulten' or 'sultne'.
Vi er meget ____.
Because 'Vi' is plural, the adjective must be in the plural form 'sultne'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I am hungry' in Danish?
Danish uses 'at være' (to be) + 'sulten' (adjective).
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi spise nu? B: Ja, ____.
The context of 'spise' (eat) requires 'sulten' (hungry).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want a small snack, but not a full meal.
'Småsulten' literally means 'small-hungry'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Degrees of Hunger in Danish
Low
- • Småsulten
- • Lidt sulten
Medium
- • Sulten
- • Ret sulten
High
- • Meget sulten
- • Ulvesulten
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVi er meget ____.
Because 'Vi' is plural, the adjective must be in the plural form 'sultne'.
How do you say 'I am hungry' in Danish?
Danish uses 'at være' (to be) + 'sulten' (adjective).
A: Skal vi spise nu? B: Ja, ____.
The context of 'spise' (eat) requires 'sulten' (hungry).
You want a small snack, but not a full meal.
'Småsulten' literally means 'small-hungry'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's a bit odd to just tell a stranger you're hungry unless you're at a food stall or restaurant. Usually, it's for people you know.
'Sulten' is the adjective (hungry), 'sult' is the noun (hunger). You use 'sulten' with 'er'.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and polite. It's not rude to state your physical needs in Denmark.
You can say 'Jeg er meget sulten' or 'Jeg er rigtig sulten'.
It means 'hungry as a wolf', which is the Danish equivalent of 'starving' or 'famished'.
It's a specific word for when you want something 'lækkert' (delicious/sweet) but aren't actually hungry for a meal.
In very formal writing, you might see 'at føle sult', but in speech, 'Jeg er sulten' is used by everyone from the Queen to a toddler.
No, in modern Danish, 'sulten' is the same for both common and neuter gender when used as a predicative adjective.
Yes, 'Hunden er sulten' (The dog is hungry) is perfectly correct.
It is spelled S-U-L-T-N-E. Note that the 'e' replaces the 'en' ending.
Expressions liées
Jeg er mæt
contrastI am full/sated
Jeg er tørstig
similarI am thirsty
Jeg er lækkersulten
specialized formI have a craving for something sweet/tasty
Jeg er ulvesulten
builds onI am famished (hungry as a wolf)
