Signification
Stating a physical need for food.
Contexte culturel
Hunger is often expressed as 'đói bụng' (hungry stomach). It is very common to ask 'Ăn cơm chưa?' (Have you eaten rice yet?) as a greeting, showing that the culture prioritizes food and well-being. In the North, people might be slightly more indirect. Instead of saying 'Tôi đói', they might say 'Đến giờ cơm rồi nhỉ?' (It's mealtime, isn't it?) to suggest they are hungry. Southerners are often more direct and use 'đói bụng' more frequently than just 'đói'. They also use slang like 'đói xỉu' (hungry to the point of fainting) more often. In overseas communities, 'Tôi đói' is often one of the first phrases children learn to maintain a connection to their heritage through food requests.
Add 'Bụng'
Saying 'Tôi đói bụng' sounds 50% more native than just 'Tôi đói'.
The 'Là' Trap
Never say 'Tôi là đói'. It's the most common beginner mistake!
Signification
Stating a physical need for food.
Add 'Bụng'
Saying 'Tôi đói bụng' sounds 50% more native than just 'Tôi đói'.
The 'Là' Trap
Never say 'Tôi là đói'. It's the most common beginner mistake!
Greeting vs. Hunger
If someone asks 'Ăn cơm chưa?', they aren't always asking if you're hungry. It's just a 'Hello'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I am very hungry'.
Tôi đói ___.
'Quá' is an intensifier that comes after the adjective.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct way to say 'I am hungry'.
Vietnamese does not use a linking verb like 'là' with adjectives.
Match the Vietnamese phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Basic vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue between a mother and child.
Mẹ: Con có đói không? Con: Dạ, ___ đói bụng quá.
A child should use 'Con' when speaking to their mother.
Which phrase is best for a formal business lunch?
You are with a client and want to suggest eating.
This uses a polite, neutral register suitable for business.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Pronoun Power
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesTôi đói ___.
'Quá' is an intensifier that comes after the adjective.
Select the correct way to say 'I am hungry'.
Vietnamese does not use a linking verb like 'là' with adjectives.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Basic vocabulary matching.
Mẹ: Con có đói không? Con: Dạ, ___ đói bụng quá.
A child should use 'Con' when speaking to their mother.
You are with a client and want to suggest eating.
This uses a polite, neutral register suitable for business.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better to say 'Tôi thấy hơi đói' or use kinship terms if you are close. 'Tôi đói' is a bit too direct.
They mean the same thing, but 'đói bụng' is more common in casual speech.
You can say 'Tôi đói lả' or 'Tôi đói chết đi được'.
No, Vietnamese verbs/adjectives don't change form. Use context or 'đã'.
Only in neutral or textbook situations. In real life, use kinship terms.
Say 'Tôi hết đói rồi' or 'Tôi no rồi'.
Yes, like 'đói tình cảm' (hungry for affection) or 'đói kiến thức' (hungry for knowledge).
The opposite is 'no' (full).
Vietnamese adjectives act as verbs themselves, so 'to be' is unnecessary.
It's a neutral word. It's not impolite, but the way you use it with pronouns matters.
Expressions liées
Tôi khát
similarI am thirsty
Tôi no
contrastI am full
Tôi thèm
specialized formI am craving
Đói bụng
synonymHungry stomach
Ăn cơm
builds onTo eat a meal
