Signification
Expresses the physical sensation of needing food.
Contexte culturel
Lunch is a sacred time. If someone says 'Tenho fome' at 12:30 PM, it's expected that everything stops for a 'prato feito' (standard meal). The phrase is often followed by a visit to a 'Pastelaria'. Hunger is frequently satisfied with small savory snacks like 'empadas' or 'bolinhos de bacalhau'. In Luanda, 'ter fome' might lead you to a street vendor for some 'mandioca' or 'mufete'. The expression is just as common and direct. There is a famous saying: 'A fome é o melhor tempero' (Hunger is the best seasoning), meaning everything tastes better when you are truly hungry.
The 'Muita' Rule
Always use 'muita' (feminine) with 'fome'. Never say 'muito fome'.
Brazil vs Portugal
If you're in Brazil, try 'Estou com fome'. If you're in Lisbon, stick to 'Tenho fome'.
Signification
Expresses the physical sensation of needing food.
The 'Muita' Rule
Always use 'muita' (feminine) with 'fome'. Never say 'muito fome'.
Brazil vs Portugal
If you're in Brazil, try 'Estou com fome'. If you're in Lisbon, stick to 'Tenho fome'.
Don't use 'Ser'
Never say 'Sou fome'. It makes you sound like you are the personification of famine.
Intensity
To sound more native, use 'Tô morrendo de fome' when you're really ready to eat.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'ter'.
Eu ______ muita fome agora.
The first person singular of 'ter' is 'tenho'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I am very hungry'?
'Fome' is feminine, so we use 'muita', and we use the verb 'ter'.
Match the Portuguese phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
All these physical states use 'ter' in Portuguese.
Complete the dialogue.
Amigo A: 'Vamos almoçar?' Amigo B: 'Sim, eu ______ ______ ______.'
'Tenho muita fome' is the natural response to an invitation to lunch.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
English vs Portuguese Logic
Ways to express hunger
Standard
- • Tenho fome
- • Estou com fome
Extreme
- • Estou faminto
- • Morrendo de fome
Light
- • Tô com fominha
- • Um ratinho
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEu ______ muita fome agora.
The first person singular of 'ter' is 'tenho'.
How do you say 'I am very hungry'?
'Fome' is feminine, so we use 'muita', and we use the verb 'ter'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All these physical states use 'ter' in Portuguese.
Amigo A: 'Vamos almoçar?' Amigo B: 'Sim, eu ______ ______ ______.'
'Tenho muita fome' is the natural response to an invitation to lunch.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIn Portuguese, physical sensations are viewed as things you possess temporarily. It's just a different way of seeing the world!
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
'Tenho fome' is more direct and common in Portugal. 'Estou com fome' is the go-to phrase in Brazil.
You can say 'Estou faminto' or the more common 'Estou morrendo de fome'.
Yes, usually followed by an adjective, like 'Tenho uma fome enorme!'
It is feminine: 'a fome'.
Just say 'Você tem fome?' with a rising intonation.
It's the diminutive of 'fome'. It means you're just a little bit hungry or want a snack.
Yes! 'Fome de poder' (hunger for power) or 'fome de saber' (hunger for knowledge).
Literally 'to kill the hunger'. It means to eat something to stop feeling hungry.
Expressions liées
ter sede
similarto be thirsty
estar faminto
specialized formto be famished
matar a fome
builds onto satisfy hunger
fome de leão
specialized formlion's hunger
vontade de comer
contrastdesire to eat
