En 15 secondes
- Use 'haben' (to have) instead of 'sein' (to be).
- Always capitalize 'Hunger' because it is a noun.
- The most common way to say you want to eat.
Signification
In German, you don't 'be' hungry like a state of being; instead, you 'have' hunger as if it were a physical object you are carrying around.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Walking past a bakery with a friend
Ich habe total Hunger auf ein Croissant.
I'm really hungry for a croissant.
A polite question to a business partner
Haben Sie schon Hunger, Herr Schmidt?
Are you hungry yet, Mr. Schmidt?
Texting a roommate after a long day
Hab so Hunger. Bestellen wir Pizza?
So hungry. Shall we order pizza?
Contexte culturel
The 'Abendbrot' (evening bread) is a traditional German dinner consisting of bread, cheese, and cold cuts. If someone says 'Ich habe Hunger' in the evening, this is usually what's on the menu. In Austria, you might hear 'Ich hab' an Hunger' (with an article), which is a dialectal variation of the standard 'Ich habe Hunger'. Swiss Germans might use the word 'Gwunder' metaphorically like hunger, but for curiosity. For actual hunger, they stay close to 'Hunger ha'. Lunch breaks are taken seriously. If a team says 'Wir haben Hunger', it's a sign that the meeting must end. Efficiency drops when Germans are hungry!
Use 'kein'
Always negate 'Hunger' with 'kein', never 'nicht'. It's a noun!
Avoid 'Ich bin Hunger'
This is the most common beginner mistake. It sounds like you are the concept of famine.
En 15 secondes
- Use 'haben' (to have) instead of 'sein' (to be).
- Always capitalize 'Hunger' because it is a noun.
- The most common way to say you want to eat.
What It Means
In German, hunger is something you possess. You do not say 'I am hungry' like in English. You say Ich habe Hunger. It sounds like you are holding a physical feeling. This is the most natural way to talk about food. It is simple, direct, and very common.
How To Use It
You only need to conjugate the verb haben. The word Hunger always stays the same. Remember to capitalize Hunger because it is a noun. For yourself, say Ich habe Hunger. If you are asking a friend, say Hast du Hunger?. It is like a Lego set with two pieces.
When To Use It
Use this phrase whenever your stomach rumbles. It works perfectly at a restaurant. Use it when texting a friend about lunch. It is safe for the office too. You can even use it during a formal dinner. It is the 'gold standard' for needing food.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you just want a tiny snack. There are other words for being 'peckish'. Avoid it if you are literally starving to death. In that case, use more dramatic verbs. Also, do not use sein (to be). Saying Ich bin Hunger means 'I am the concept of hunger'. That will definitely get you some funny looks!
Cultural Background
Germans value clear communication and regular mealtimes. This phrase reflects that directness. Using nouns for physical states is very German. You 'have' thirst and you 'have' fear too. It shows how the language treats feelings as concrete things. It is practical and leaves no room for confusion.
Common Variations
Want to sound more intense? Add Riesen to make Riesenhunger. That means you have a 'giant hunger'. If you are with close friends, try Kohldampf. It is a funny, old-fashioned slang word for starving. You might also hear Ich bin hungrig. It is correct but sounds a bit more like a book.
Notes d'usage
This is a neutral, everyday collocation. It is universally understood and appropriate for all levels of formality, from casual texts to business meetings.
Use 'kein'
Always negate 'Hunger' with 'kein', never 'nicht'. It's a noun!
Avoid 'Ich bin Hunger'
This is the most common beginner mistake. It sounds like you are the concept of famine.
Add 'schon'
Adding 'schon' (already) makes you sound very native: 'Ich habe schon wieder Hunger!'
Mahlzeit!
If someone says they have hunger around noon, you can respond with 'Mahlzeit!'
Exemples
6Ich habe total Hunger auf ein Croissant.
I'm really hungry for a croissant.
Adding 'auf' specifies exactly what you are craving.
Haben Sie schon Hunger, Herr Schmidt?
Are you hungry yet, Mr. Schmidt?
Using the formal 'Sie' makes it professional.
Hab so Hunger. Bestellen wir Pizza?
So hungry. Shall we order pizza?
Dropping the 'Ich' is common in quick texts.
Wenn ich Hunger habe, kann ich mich nicht konzentrieren.
When I'm hungry, I can't concentrate.
Expressing a physical limit due to hunger.
Mein Hund hat immer Hunger!
My dog is always hungry!
The phrase works for animals too.
Habt ihr Hunger oder wollen wir noch warten?
Are you guys hungry or do we want to wait?
Using the plural 'ihr' for a group.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'haben'.
Ich ___ Hunger.
The first person singular form of 'haben' is 'habe'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I am not hungry'?
We use 'haben' and negate the noun 'Hunger' with 'keinen'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hast du Hunger? B: Ja, ich habe ___ Hunger!
'Hunger' is masculine accusative, so the adjective ending is '-en'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are with your best friend and you are starving.
'Kohldampf' is the perfect informal/slang term for being very hungry with friends.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
German vs English Logic
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch ___ Hunger.
The first person singular form of 'haben' is 'habe'.
How do you say 'I am not hungry'?
We use 'haben' and negate the noun 'Hunger' with 'keinen'.
A: Hast du Hunger? B: Ja, ich habe ___ Hunger!
'Hunger' is masculine accusative, so the adjective ending is '-en'.
You are with your best friend and you are starving.
'Kohldampf' is the perfect informal/slang term for being very hungry with friends.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is grammatically correct, but it sounds slightly more formal or like a translation. 'Ich habe Hunger' is the natural choice for daily life.
Because 'Hunger' is masculine and it is the direct object (accusative) of the verb 'haben'. So 'kein' becomes 'keinen'.
It's a very common slang word for hunger. Use it with friends to sound more like a local!
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your grandma, or your best friend.
You can say 'Ich sterbe vor Hunger' or 'Ich habe einen Bärenhunger'.
Usually no. You just say 'Ich habe Hunger'. You only use an article if you add an adjective: 'Ich habe einen großen Hunger'.
Hunger is the physical need to eat. Appetit is the psychological desire for a specific food.
Use 'Haben Sie Hunger?'
Yes, metaphorically, like 'Hunger nach Erfolg' (hunger for success), but it's less common than the physical meaning.
Yes, in German all nouns are capitalized.
Expressions liées
Durst haben
similarTo be thirsty
satt sein
contrastTo be full/satisfied
Appetit haben
similarTo have an appetite
verhungern
specialized formTo starve
Heißhunger haben
specialized formTo have a sudden, intense craving
den Hunger stillen
builds onTo satisfy one's hunger
