Signification
Indicating a physiological need for food.
Contexte culturel
The 'Obedové Menu' (Lunch Menu) is a cultural institution. Between 11:00 and 14:00, most restaurants offer a cheap soup and main course. Saying 'Mám hlad' at this time is a social cue to go out with colleagues. Hospitality is paramount. If you say 'Mám hlad' to a Slovak host, they will likely serve you a large portion of food, often starting with soup. It is considered polite to accept at least a little. Hunger appears in many Slovak proverbs, reflecting the historical difficulty of mountain farming. 'Hlad je najlepší kuchár' (Hunger is the best cook) is the most famous. With the rise of food delivery apps, 'Máš hlad?' has become a common marketing slogan seen on billboards and digital ads across Bratislava and Košice.
The 'To Have' Rule
In Slovak, you 'have' hunger, thirst, fear, and luck. Memorize these as a group!
H vs CH
Be careful with the 'h' in 'hlad'. If you say 'chlad', people will think you are cold, not hungry.
Signification
Indicating a physiological need for food.
The 'To Have' Rule
In Slovak, you 'have' hunger, thirst, fear, and luck. Memorize these as a group!
H vs CH
Be careful with the 'h' in 'hlad'. If you say 'chlad', people will think you are cold, not hungry.
Intensify it
Add 'veľký' (big) or 'strašný' (terrible) before 'hlad' to sound more like a native speaker.
Grandma's House
Never say 'Mám hlad' at a Slovak grandma's house unless you are prepared to eat for three hours.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'mať'.
My ______ hlad.
'My' is the first person plural (we), so the verb must be 'máme'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I am hungry'?
Choose the best option:
'Mám hlad' is the standard idiomatic expression using the verb 'to have' and the noun 'hunger'.
Match the Slovak phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the basic conjugations and negations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Chceš pizzu? B: Áno, ______.
If someone wants pizza, it's usually because they 'have hunger'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You haven't eaten all day and you are in the mountains.
'Vlčí hlad' (wolf's hunger) is used for extreme hunger, common after physical activity.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
To Have vs To Be
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesMy ______ hlad.
'My' is the first person plural (we), so the verb must be 'máme'.
Choose the best option:
'Mám hlad' is the standard idiomatic expression using the verb 'to have' and the noun 'hunger'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the basic conjugations and negations of the phrase.
A: Chceš pizzu? B: Áno, ______.
If someone wants pizza, it's usually because they 'have hunger'.
You haven't eaten all day and you are in the mountains.
'Vlčí hlad' (wolf's hunger) is used for extreme hunger, common after physical activity.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, 'Som hladný' is perfectly correct and common. 'Mám hlad' is just slightly more idiomatic in casual speech.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and even colleagues or bosses in a casual setting.
You can say 'Umieram od hladu' (I'm dying of hunger) or 'Mám vlčí hlad' (I have a wolf's hunger).
It's a linguistic feature of many Slavic and Romance languages where states of the body are viewed as something you possess.
The opposite is 'Som plný' (I am full) or 'Som najedený' (I have eaten/I am fed).
No, in 'Mám hlad', it stays in the accusative form, which looks the same as the nominative for this word.
Yes, metaphorically, like 'hlad po informáciách' (hunger for information).
It's better to wait for the host, but it's not strictly rude. It's very direct.
You say 'Máte hlad?' using the plural form of the verb.
It means 'Hunger is the best cook'—anything tastes good when you are hungry.
Yes, 'Som vybitý' (I am drained/empty) is sometimes used by young people.
You can write 'Mam hlad', and people will understand, but the 'á' is important for correct pronunciation.
It is masculine inanimate.
No, you should say 'Mám chuť na pizzu'. 'Hlad' is for general hunger.
Expressions liées
Mám smäd
similarI am thirsty
Mám chuť na...
builds onI have a taste for...
Som hladný
synonymI am hungry (adjective)
Hladovka
specialized formHunger strike
Vyhladnúť
builds onTo become hungry
