Signification
Expressing a strong need for food.
Contexte culturel
Slovenians take lunch (kosilo) very seriously. It is often a three-course meal starting with soup (juha). Saying 'Zelo sem lačen' is the expected state before a Sunday lunch. In the mountains, food is fuel. Mountain huts (koče) serve hearty stews like 'jota' or 'ričet'. Hikers use this phrase to signal they are ready for a big meal after a climb. Slovenia has a unique subsidized student meal system. Students often use 'Zelo sem lačen' as a prompt to go use their 'boni' at a local restaurant. Late-night hunger in the capital often leads to a 'burek' stand. It's a common sight to see people saying they are 'zelo lačni' at 3 AM near the train station.
Gender is Key
Always check your gender ending. If you are a woman, 'lačna' is non-negotiable!
Don't say 'Imam lakoto'
Even though it's grammatically possible to say 'I have hunger', no native speaker says it this way. Stick to 'Sem lačen'.
Signification
Expressing a strong need for food.
Gender is Key
Always check your gender ending. If you are a woman, 'lačna' is non-negotiable!
Don't say 'Imam lakoto'
Even though it's grammatically possible to say 'I have hunger', no native speaker says it this way. Stick to 'Sem lačen'.
Use 'Ful' for friends
If you're with people your age, 'Ful sem lačen' sounds much more natural and modern.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct form for a woman saying she is very hungry.
Jaz sem ____.
Women must use the feminine ending -na.
Fill in the missing verb for 'We (plural) are very hungry'.
Mi ____ zelo lačni.
'Smo' is the 1st person plural form of 'biti' (to be).
Match the Slovenian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard agreements for gender and number.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ali si lačen? B: Ja, ____.
The most natural response to the question.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Gender Agreement for 'Lačen'
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesJaz sem ____.
Women must use the feminine ending -na.
Mi ____ zelo lačni.
'Smo' is the 1st person plural form of 'biti' (to be).
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard agreements for gender and number.
A: Ali si lačen? B: Ja, ____.
The most natural response to the question.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes! You can say 'zelo sem žejen' (I am very thirsty) or 'zelo sem utrujen' (I am very tired).
No, for thirst you must use 'žejen'. 'Lačen' is strictly for food.
You can say 'Sestradan sem' or 'Umiram od lakote' (I'm dying of hunger).
This is a common dialectal feature in many parts of Slovenia where the final schwa is dropped.
Expressions liées
Lačen kot volk
similarHungry as a wolf.
Sestradan sem
specialized formI am starving.
Malo sem lačen
contrastI am a little hungry.
Dober tek
builds onBon appétit.
