Signification
The physical sensation of needing food.
Contexte culturel
Finns often eat lunch early, usually between 11:00 and 12:00. If you say 'Minulla on nälkä' at 11:30, it's perfectly normal. Free school meals mean that 'nälkä' is a shared social experience for all children, regardless of background. In the forest, 'nälkä' is respected. You always carry 'eväät' (snacks) because 'nälkä yllättää' (hunger surprises you). While Finns are direct, they might not complain about hunger immediately in a group setting until someone else mentions it first.
The 'Mulla' Shortcut
In spoken Finnish, almost everyone says 'Mulla on nälkä' instead of 'Minulla on nälkä'.
Avoid 'Olen nälkä'
It's the most common beginner mistake. It sounds like you are a ghost named Hunger.
Signification
The physical sensation of needing food.
The 'Mulla' Shortcut
In spoken Finnish, almost everyone says 'Mulla on nälkä' instead of 'Minulla on nälkä'.
Avoid 'Olen nälkä'
It's the most common beginner mistake. It sounds like you are a ghost named Hunger.
Use 'Nälättää'
If you want to sound like a native, use 'Minua nälättää' when you're just starting to feel peckish.
Lunch is early
Don't be surprised if your Finnish colleagues start talking about 'nälkä' at 10:45 AM.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I am hungry'.
Minulla ___ nälkä.
In the possessive structure, the verb is always 'on' (3rd person singular).
Which of these is the correct way to ask 'Are you hungry?'
Choose the correct question:
'Onko' starts the question, and 'sinulla' is the correct adessive form for 'you'.
Match the Finnish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Each pronoun requires the -lla/-llä ending.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Onko sinulla nälkä? B: Kyllä, minulla on ___ nälkä.
'Tosi' (really) is a common adverb to intensify hunger.
Which phrase fits a situation where you are extremely hungry?
You haven't eaten all day. You say:
'Suden nälkä' (wolf's hunger) means you are starving.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
English vs Finnish Logic
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesMinulla ___ nälkä.
In the possessive structure, the verb is always 'on' (3rd person singular).
Choose the correct question:
'Onko' starts the question, and 'sinulla' is the correct adessive form for 'you'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Each pronoun requires the -lla/-llä ending.
A: Onko sinulla nälkä? B: Kyllä, minulla on ___ nälkä.
'Tosi' (really) is a common adverb to intensify hunger.
You haven't eaten all day. You say:
'Suden nälkä' (wolf's hunger) means you are starving.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYou can, but it's less common in spoken Finnish. 'Minulla on nälkä' is the natural, idiomatic way.
Usually, yes. Even in negative sentences like 'Minulla ei ole nälkä', the nominative is standard.
'Nälkä' is the noun (hunger), 'nälättää' is a verb meaning 'to feel hungry'.
Use 'Minulla on suden nälkä' (I have a wolf's hunger).
Yes, like 'tiedon nälkä' (hunger for knowledge).
The verb 'on' stays the same, but the pronoun changes: 'Sinulla on', 'Heillä on'.
No, it's a very direct and normal statement in Finland.
It's the Finnish word for 'hangry' (hunger + anger).
Say 'Minulla ei ole enää nälkä.'
Not a single word, but 'nälättää' or 'huutava nälkä' are common informal ways.
Finnish uses the adessive case (-lla) to show possession or a state affecting a person.
Yes, it means 'My stomach is empty', but it's more literal/physical.
'Olla kylläinen' (to be full/satiated).
Yes, 'Nälkä on paras kokki' (Hunger is the best cook).
Expressions liées
olla jano
similarto be thirsty
nälättää
specialized formto feel hungry
nälkäinen
builds onhungry (adjective)
nälkäkiukku
specialized formhangry
suden nälkä
specialized formstarving
