यह पेज आपकी भाषा में

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

A1 verb #6,000 सबसे आम 7 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

Hungern

शीर्ष 6,000

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव Hungern 30 सेकंड में

व्याख्या Hungern in your Level:

At the A1 level, you primarily learn how to say you are hungry using the phrase 'Ich habe Hunger.' The verb 'hungern' itself might appear in very simple contexts, usually to describe a state. You should know that 'Hunger' is a noun and 'hungern' is the action of being in that state. For a beginner, the most important thing is not to confuse 'Ich hungere' with 'Ich habe Hunger.' If you say 'Ich hungere' to a friend, they might think you are suffering deeply. At this stage, just recognize the word when you see it in a simple sentence like 'Das Kind hungert.' Focus on the connection between the noun 'Hunger' and the verb 'hungern.' You will mostly see it in the present tense: ich hungere, du hungerst, er hungert. Remember that in German, we 'have' hunger rather than 'are' hungry, and 'hungern' is a more intense version of that. It is a regular verb, so the endings are the ones you've already learned for other verbs like 'lernen' or 'machen.' Even at A1, knowing this word helps you understand basic stories about people who might not have enough to eat, which is a common theme in simple reading passages. Don't worry about the metaphorical uses yet; just focus on the basic physical meaning of not having food.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'hungern' in slightly more complex sentences, perhaps using the past tense. You might talk about a day when you forgot your lunch: 'Gestern habe ich den ganzen Tag gehungert.' This is a bit dramatic, but grammatically correct. You will also learn the difference between 'hungern' and 'fasten' (to fast). While 'fasten' is something you might do for health or religion, 'hungern' usually implies that you have no choice. You can also start to see the word in compound nouns like 'Hungersnot' (famine). At A2, you should be able to conjugate the verb in the Perfekt tense: 'Ich habe gehungert.' You might also encounter it in the context of dieting or staying slim, which is a common topic in A2 textbooks. For example, 'Viele Leute hungern, um dünn zu sein.' This shows you understand that 'hungern' can be a deliberate action. You should also be aware of the adjective 'hungrig' (hungry), which is related. The goal at this level is to use 'hungern' to describe a situation of lack, whether it's because someone is poor or because they are trying to lose weight. You are moving beyond just saying 'I'm hungry' to describing the state of others or yourself over a longer period.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the B1 level, you are expected to understand and use 'hungern' in more abstract and social contexts. You will likely encounter this word in news reports or discussions about global issues like poverty and development. You should be comfortable with the prepositional phrase 'hungern nach.' This is where the verb becomes very useful for expressing deep desires. 'Die Menschen hungern nach Frieden' (The people hunger for peace). This metaphorical use is very common in B1 level reading and listening materials. You should also know the difference between 'hungern' and 'verhungern' (to starve to death). At B1, precision matters. If you say someone is 'hungering,' they are still alive but suffering; if they are 'verhungern,' they are dying. You might also use the word in the context of history, describing how people lived during difficult times. 'In den Nachkriegsjahren mussten viele Familien hungern.' Your ability to use the Präteritum ('hungerte') and the Konjunktiv II ('Wenn ich nicht essen würde, würde ich hungern') will show a higher level of mastery. You can also start using related words like 'Hungerstreik' (hunger strike) in discussions about politics or social movements. At this stage, 'hungern' is no longer just about food; it's about a state of profound lack or intense longing.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'hungern' and its place in the German language. You can use it to discuss complex social phenomena, such as the psychology of eating disorders or the ethics of global food distribution. You will recognize 'hungern' in more sophisticated literature and journalism. The metaphorical use 'hungern nach' can be applied to very abstract concepts like 'Anerkennung' (recognition), 'Gerechtigkeit' (justice), or 'Selbstverwirklichung' (self-actualization). At B2, you should also be aware of the register. Using 'hungern' instead of 'nichts essen' adds a layer of intensity and emotion to your speech or writing. You might also encounter the word in idioms or more obscure compound words. For example, 'Hungerleider' is a derogatory term for someone who is very poor or stingy. You should be able to explain the difference between 'hungern,' 'darben,' and 'schmachten.' 'Darben' is a more literary term for living in want, while 'schmachten' is specifically about longing. Being able to choose between these words based on the context is a hallmark of the B2 level. Your written essays might use 'hungern' to evoke empathy or to highlight a stark contrast between wealth and poverty. You are now using the word as a tool for sophisticated expression.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'hungern' should be near-native. You recognize the word in all its forms, including archaic or regional variations like the impersonal 'es hungert mich.' While you might not use these yourself, you understand the poetic or historical weight they carry. You can analyze how 'hungern' is used in classical German literature, such as in the works of Kafka or Goethe, where hunger is often a central theme representing existential lack. You understand the subtle difference in tone between 'hungern nach' and 'sehnen nach' (to long for). 'Hungern' implies a more visceral, almost biological need, whereas 'sehnen' is more emotional or spiritual. In professional or academic contexts, you can use 'hungern' to describe market needs or systemic failures. For example, 'Der Markt hungert nach Innovation.' You are also familiar with the historical and cultural connotations of the word in Germany, specifically regarding the 'Hungerwinter' and its impact on the national psyche. Your use of the word is precise, evocative, and context-aware. You can also handle complex grammatical constructions involving 'hungern,' such as using it in participial phrases: 'Die nach Erfolg hungernde Generation.' At this level, the word is a flexible part of your high-level rhetorical repertoire.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

At the C2 level, you possess a complete mastery of 'hungern' and its multifaceted roles in the German language. You can appreciate the finest nuances of the word in philosophical discourses, where 'hunger' might be discussed as a fundamental human condition. You are aware of how the meaning of the word has evolved over centuries, from its Old High German roots 'hungarōn' to its modern usage. You can effortlessly switch between literal, metaphorical, and idiomatic uses. You might use the word in a highly creative way in your own writing, perhaps subverting its usual negative connotations to describe a 'hunger' for life or experience that is positive and driving. You understand the political power of the word in slogans and manifestos. Your pronunciation is perfect, including the subtle 'r' and the nasal 'n' at the end. You can engage in deep discussions about the 'Hungerkünstler' (hunger artist) in Kafka's work, exploring the intersection of art and self-deprivation. For a C2 learner, 'hungern' is not just a verb; it is a concept with layers of history, culture, and emotion. You use it with the same ease and depth as a highly educated native speaker, capable of using it to inspire, inform, or provoke.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

Hungern 30 सेकंड में

Hungern is a German verb meaning to go hungry or starve, often implying a serious or prolonged state of food deprivation rather than just a snack.
It is conjugated regularly (hungerte, gehungert) and is intransitive, meaning it does not take a direct object in the accusative case in standard usage.
Metaphorically, it is used with the preposition 'nach' (followed by the dative) to express a deep, visceral longing for things like love, success, or justice.
Commonly found in news reports about famines or in literature, it is a powerful word that conveys suffering, intensity, or a strong inner drive.

The German verb hungern is a fundamental word that every German learner needs to master, though its usage is more specific than the English 'to be hungry.' In English, we often say 'I am hungry,' but in German, the standard way to express this immediate physical sensation is 'Ich habe Hunger.' The verb hungern, by contrast, often implies a more prolonged state of deprivation, a social condition, or a metaphorical craving. Understanding this nuance is the first step toward sounding like a native speaker.

Literal Deprivation: This refers to the state of not having enough food over a period of time. It is used in contexts of famine, poverty, or extreme dieting. For example, 'Millionen Menschen müssen weltweit hungern' (Millions of people worldwide have to go hungry).

In Kriegszeiten mussten viele Menschen hungern, da die Ernten zerstört wurden.

Metaphorical Hunger: When combined with the preposition 'nach,' the verb takes on a figurative meaning: to long for or crave something deeply. You can 'hungern nach Liebe' (hunger for love) or 'hungern nach Anerkennung' (hunger for recognition). This elevates the word from a biological necessity to a poetic expression of desire.

Die Seele kann genauso nach Zuneigung hungern wie der Körper nach Brot.

Voluntary Fasting: Sometimes, 'hungern' is used for voluntary actions, such as a hunger strike (Hungerstreik) or extreme calorie restriction for beauty standards. In these cases, it implies a conscious choice to endure the discomfort of hunger for a specific goal.

Models müssen oft hungern, um die Anforderungen der Branche zu erfüllen.

Wer den ganzen Tag nichts isst, beginnt schließlich zu hungern.

Das Volk musste während der Dürreperiode jahrelang hungern.

In conclusion, 'hungern' is a versatile verb that spans from biological reality to deep emotional longing. It is a word that carries weight, often associated with suffering or intense drive, making it a powerful tool in your German vocabulary.

Using hungern correctly requires understanding its grammatical patterns. It is an intransitive verb, meaning it doesn't take a direct object. You don't 'hunger something'; you simply 'hunger' or 'hunger for something.'

The Present Tense: In the present tense, it follows regular conjugation: ich hungere, du hungerst, er/sie/es hungert. Example: 'Er hungert, um Gewicht zu verlieren' (He is starving to lose weight).

Warum hungerst du freiwillig?

The Preposition 'Nach': This is the most common way to use 'hungern' figuratively. It always takes the dative case. 'Sie hungert nach Erfolg' (She hungers for success). 'Er hungert nach Wissen' (He hungers for knowledge).

Viele Künstler hungern nach Anerkennung durch das Publikum.

Past Tenses: In the Perfekt (conversational past), it uses the auxiliary verb 'haben.' Example: 'Ich habe gestern den ganzen Tag gehungert.' In the Präteritum (written past), it is 'hungerte.' Example: 'Das Tier hungerte tagelang.'

Sie hat für ihre Überzeugungen im Hungerstreik gehungert.

Wir hungerten während der langen Reise durch die Wüste.

Hast du jemals wirklich gehungert oder warst du nur hungrig?

Phrases like 'sich hungern' (to starve oneself) are also common when discussing health or self-imposed restrictions. Mastery of these patterns ensures you can describe both physical states and deep human desires with precision.

You will encounter hungern in a variety of contexts, from the evening news to classical literature.

News and Humanitarian Reports: When German media reports on global crises, 'hungern' is the standard verb. Phrases like 'Die Bevölkerung hungert' or 'Hungernde Kinder' are common in reports about famines or war zones. It conveys the gravity of the situation.

Laut dem UN-Bericht müssen Millionen Menschen in dieser Region hungern.

Health and Lifestyle Discussions: In the context of dieting, you might hear 'Nulldiät' or 'Intervallfasten.' Here, 'hungern' is used to describe the act of not eating. Doctors might warn: 'Man sollte nicht hungern, um abzunehmen' (One should not starve to lose weight).

Er hungerte sich auf 50 Kilo herunter, was seine Gesundheit gefährdete.

Historical Contexts: In history class, you learn about 'Hungersnot' (famine) and how populations 'gehungert haben' during the world wars. It's a word that links the present to the difficult past of many German-speaking regions.

Nach dem Krieg hungerten viele Stadtbewohner, während auf dem Land mehr Essen verfügbar war.

Es ist eine Schande, dass in einer so reichen Welt Menschen hungern müssen.

Die Gefangenen hungerten wochenlang in ihren Zellen.

Whether in a serious political discussion or a dramatic novel, 'hungern' carries a sense of intensity that simple hunger does not.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is using hungern when they simply mean 'I am hungry.'

Mistake: 'Ich hungere' vs. 'Ich habe Hunger': If you say 'Ich hungere' at a restaurant, the waiter might look at you with concern, thinking you are in a state of starvation or on a hunger strike. Always use 'Ich habe Hunger' (I have hunger) or 'Ich bin hungrig' (I am hungry) for the everyday feeling.

Falsch: Ich hungere, lass uns Pizza bestellen. Richtig: Ich habe Hunger, lass uns Pizza bestellen.

Mistake: 'Hungern' vs. 'Verhungern': 'Hungern' is the process or state of being without food. 'Verhungern' is the terminal result: to die of hunger. Using 'verhungern' hyperbolically is common ('Ich verhungere gleich!'), but using 'hungern' in that way sounds odd.

Falsch: Er hungert für Liebe. Richtig: Er hungert nach Liebe.

Mistake: Overusing the Impersonal Form: You might see 'Es hungert mich' in old books. Do not use this in modern speech; it sounds like you've stepped out of a 19th-century novel. Stick to the personal 'Ich habe Hunger.'

Vermeiden Sie: Mich hungert sehr. (Klingt veraltet).

Achtung: 'Hungern' ist kein reflexives Verb, es sei denn, man sagt 'sich zu Tode hungern'.

Benutzen Sie hungern nicht für Tiere, die einfach nur fressen wollen; 'hungern' impliziert oft menschliches Leid.

By avoiding these pitfalls, you'll use 'hungern' with the gravity and precision it requires.

To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that share a semantic field with hungern.

Fasten vs. Hungern: 'Fasten' is almost always voluntary, often for religious (Lent, Ramadan) or health reasons. 'Hungern' is usually involuntary and implies suffering. You 'fast' to cleanse; you 'hunger' because there is no food.

Viele Menschen fasten vor Ostern, aber niemand möchte hungern.

Darben: This is an elevated, somewhat poetic word meaning to live in poverty and lack basic necessities. It is stronger than 'hungern' as it covers more than just food.

Die Dichter darbten oft in ihren kalten Dachkammern.

Schmachten: This word is specifically for longing or pining. While you can 'nach Liebe hungern,' 'nach Liebe schmachten' sounds even more romantic and desperate.

Er schmachtet nach seiner fernen Geliebten.

Anstatt zu hungern, sollten wir das Essen gerecht verteilen.

Das Kind hungert nach Zuneigung, nicht nur nach Nahrung.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the exact word for the situation, making your German more expressive and nuanced.

How Formal Is It?

औपचारिक

"Die Bevölkerung hungert infolge der anhaltenden Dürre."

तटस्थ

"Man sollte nicht hungern, um Gewicht zu verlieren."

अनौपचारिक

"Ich hab den ganzen Tag gehungert, jetzt will ich Pizza!"

Child friendly

"Niemand soll hungern müssen, jeder braucht Essen."

बोलचाल

"Ich hunger mir hier echt einen ab."

रोचक तथ्य

The word 'Hunger' is one of the few words that has remained almost identical in sound and meaning across many Germanic languages for over a thousand years.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /ˈhʊŋɐn/

US /ˈhʊŋərn/

The stress is on the first syllable: HUNG-ern.

तुकबंदी

Lungern (to loiter) Zungern (dialectal/rare) Bungern (rare place names) Verhungern Auslungern Abhungern Umlungern Beschnuppern (near rhyme)

आम गलतियाँ

Pronouncing the 'g' separately like 'hun-gern'. It should be a smooth 'ng' sound.
Making the 'u' too long like 'who-ngern'. It must be short.
Over-pronouncing the 'r' at the end; in many German dialects, it's almost a vowel sound.
Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'hunger'.
Dropping the 'n' at the end of the infinitive.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English 'hunger'.

लिखना 3/5

Requires knowledge of regular conjugation and the preposition 'nach'.

बोलना 3/5

Must avoid the common mistake of using it for 'I am hungry'.

श्रवण 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in context.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

Hunger Essen Haben Nicht Viel

आगे सीखें

Verhungern Fasten Darben Satt Nahrung

उन्नत

Prävalenz von Unterernährung Existenzminimum Ressourcenknappheit

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Regular Verb Conjugation

ich hungere, du hungerst, er hungert...

Preposition 'nach' + Dative

Er hungert nach dem (dative) Erfolg.

Perfekt with 'haben'

Ich habe gehungert.

Nominalization of Verbs

Das Hungern (the starving) ist schwer.

Infinitive with 'zu'

Es ist schwer, den ganzen Tag zu hungern.

पूरी व्याख्या पढ़ने के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

Die Kinder hungern.

The children are going hungry.

Simple present tense, plural.

Ich hungere nicht.

I am not starving.

Negation with 'nicht'.

Hungerst du?

Are you going hungry?

Question form of 'hungern'.

Er hungert heute.

He is going without food today.

Third person singular present.

Wir hungern zusammen.

We are going hungry together.

First person plural present.

Sie hungern oft.

They often go hungry.

Adverb 'oft' used with the verb.

Warum hungert das Tier?

Why is the animal going hungry?

Question with 'warum'.

Man darf nicht hungern.

One must not go hungry.

Modal verb 'dürfen' with 'hungern'.

Ich habe den ganzen Tag gehungert.

I went hungry all day.

Perfekt tense with 'haben'.

Sie hungerte, um dünn zu sein.

She starved herself to be thin.

Präteritum tense, indicating purpose.

Hast du gestern gehungert?

Did you go hungry yesterday?

Perfekt question.

Wir hungerten während der Reise.

We went hungry during the trip.

Präteritum plural.

Er will nicht mehr hungern.

He doesn't want to go hungry anymore.

Modal verb 'wollen' with 'hungern'.

Die Leute hungerten im Winter.

The people went hungry in winter.

Präteritum plural with time indication.

Hungern ist ungesund.

Starving is unhealthy.

Gerundial use of the verb as a noun.

Sie hat für die Diät gehungert.

She went hungry for the diet.

Perfekt with preposition 'für'.

Viele Menschen hungern nach Gerechtigkeit.

Many people hunger for justice.

Metaphorical use with 'nach' + dative.

Er hungert nach Anerkennung.

He hungers for recognition.

Metaphorical use with 'nach' + dative.

In Krisengebieten müssen Kinder oft hungern.

In crisis areas, children often have to go hungry.

Modal verb 'müssen' in a complex sentence.

Sie hungert nach Liebe und Zuneigung.

She hungers for love and affection.

Metaphorical use with abstract nouns.

Niemand sollte in einer reichen Welt hungern.

No one should go hungry in a wealthy world.

Konjunktiv II of 'sollen'.

Er hat im Hungerstreik für seine Rechte gehungert.

He went on a hunger strike for his rights.

Perfekt with 'im Hungerstreik'.

Die Seele hungert nach Ruhe.

The soul hungers for peace/quiet.

Personification of 'Seele'.

Wir hungerten nach neuen Informationen.

We hungered for new information.

Präteritum metaphorical use.

Die Gesellschaft hungert nach echten Vorbildern.

Society hungers for real role models.

Abstract noun 'Gesellschaft' as subject.

Er hungerte sich bis zur totalen Erschöpfung.

He starved himself to total exhaustion.

Reflexive use 'sich hungern' with resultative 'bis zu'.

Die Wirtschaft hungert nach qualifizierten Fachkräften.

The economy hungers for qualified specialists.

Business context metaphorical use.

Anstatt zu hungern, sollte man gesund essen.

Instead of starving, one should eat healthily.

Infinitive construction with 'anstatt zu'.

Sie hungerte nach Abenteuern in der Ferne.

She hungered for adventures in far-off lands.

Literary metaphorical use.

Das Volk hungert, während die Elite feiert.

The people go hungry while the elite celebrates.

Contrast using 'während'.

Er hat sich durch das Projekt gehungert.

He starved his way through the project (metaphorical for sacrifice).

Idiomatic use of 'sich durch etwas hungern'.

Hungernde Menschen brauchen sofortige Hilfe.

Hungry people need immediate help.

Present participle 'hungernd' as an adjective.

Die nach Wahrheit hungernde Jugend sucht Antworten.

The youth, hungering for truth, are seeking answers.

Extended participial attribute.

Man kann den Geist nicht hungern lassen.

One cannot let the mind go hungry.

Causative construction 'lassen' + 'hungern'.

Das Land hungert nach politischer Erneuerung.

The country hungers for political renewal.

High-level political discourse.

Trotz des Reichtums hungern viele am Rande der Gesellschaft.

Despite the wealth, many go hungry on the fringes of society.

Preposition 'trotz' with genitive.

Sie hungert nach der verlorenen Zeit ihrer Kindheit.

She hungers for the lost time of her childhood.

Poetic, abstract metaphorical use.

Es hungert mich nach einer tieferen Bedeutung.

I hunger for a deeper meaning.

Archaic/Elevated impersonal construction.

Der Künstler hungert lieber, als seine Integrität zu verkaufen.

The artist would rather go hungry than sell his integrity.

Comparative 'lieber als'.

Eine nach Macht hungernde Elite kontrolliert die Medien.

A power-hungry elite controls the media.

Compound-like participial phrase.

In Kafkas Werk ist das Hungern ein Akt der Existenz.

In Kafka's work, starving is an act of existence.

Nominalized verb as subject in literary analysis.

Die existentielle Not lässt ihn nach Transzendenz hungern.

Existential distress makes him hunger for transcendence.

Philosophical vocabulary.

Das Volk, das zu lange gehungert hatte, erhob sich schließlich.

The people, who had gone hungry for too long, finally rose up.

Plusquamperfekt in a relative clause.

Hungern als ästhetisches Prinzip ist höchst umstritten.

Starvation as an aesthetic principle is highly controversial.

Academic discussion of aesthetics.

Er hungerte nach der Essenz des Seins.

He hungered for the essence of being.

Highly abstract metaphorical use.

Die Dialektik des Hungerns offenbart die Schwächen des Systems.

The dialectic of starvation reveals the weaknesses of the system.

Sociopolitical jargon.

Manch einer hungert, obgleich er an einer reich gedeckten Tafel sitzt.

Some hunger even though they sit at a richly laden table.

Conjunction 'obgleich' and poetic phrasing.

Das nimmermüde Hungern nach Fortschritt treibt uns voran.

The never-tiring hunger for progress drives us forward.

Adjective 'nimmermüde' with nominalized verb.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

nach Liebe hungern

nach Erfolg hungern

freiwillig hungern

tagelang hungern

weltweit hungern

nach Anerkennung hungern

sich zu Tode hungern

nach Freiheit hungern

nach Wissen hungern

im Hungerstreik hungern

सामान्य वाक्यांश

Hungern und dürsten

— To hunger and thirst, often used for a very strong desire.

Sie hungert und dürstet nach Gerechtigkeit.

Hungern müssen

— To be forced to go hungry due to circumstances.

In armen Ländern müssen viele Kinder hungern.

Lieber hungern als...

— Preferring to go hungry rather than doing something else.

Ich würde lieber hungern, als dieses Fleisch zu essen.

Den Bauch hungern lassen

— To let the belly go hungry (idiomatic for not eating).

Er lässt seinen Bauch oft hungern.

Hungern für die Schönheit

— Starving oneself for the sake of beauty standards.

Viele hungern für die Schönheit auf dem Laufsteg.

Nicht hungern brauchen

— To not need to go hungry (having enough food).

Hier braucht zum Glück niemand zu hungern.

Ewiges Hungern

— Eternal hunger, often used in a poetic or philosophical sense.

Das ewige Hungern der Seele nach Sinn.

Nach Neuigkeiten hungern

— To be desperate for news or updates.

Die Fans hungern nach Neuigkeiten über den Star.

Sich dünn hungern

— To starve oneself thin.

Sie versucht, sich für den Sommer dünn zu hungern.

Hungern bis zum Umfallen

— To starve until one collapses.

Er arbeitete und hungerte bis zum Umfallen.

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

Hungern vs Hunger haben

English speakers use 'to be hungry' for both, but German distinguishes between the feeling and the state.

Hungern vs fasten

Fasten is voluntary; hungern is usually involuntary and implies suffering.

Hungern vs verhungern

Hungern is the state of being hungry; verhungern is the terminal act of dying from it.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"Nach etwas hungern wie ein Wolf"

— To hunger for something extremely intensely (like a wolf).

Er hungert nach Erfolg wie ein Wolf.

informal

"Sich den Magen hungern"

— To starve one's stomach (informal for not eating).

Du solltest dir nicht den Magen hungern.

informal

"Hunger ist der beste Koch"

— Hunger is the best cook (everything tastes good when you're hungry).

Nach der Wanderung schmeckte das Brot toll; Hunger ist der beste Koch.

neutral

"Am Hungertuch nagen"

— To be extremely poor (gnawing on the hunger cloth).

Früher nagte die Familie am Hungertuch.

neutral/idiomatic

"Den Gürtel enger schnallen"

— To tighten one's belt (to live more frugally/eat less).

In der Krise müssen wir alle den Gürtel enger schnallen.

neutral

"Ein Hungerleider sein"

— To be a poor wretch or a stingy person.

Er ist ein alter Hungerleider.

informal/derogatory

"Sich die Rippen hungern"

— To starve oneself until the ribs show.

Willst du dir etwa die Rippen hungern?

informal

"Nach Rache hungern"

— To hunger for revenge.

Sein Herz hungert nach Rache.

literary

"Hungern, dass die Schwarte kracht"

— To starve intensely (humorous/ironic use of an idiom usually for eating).

Er hungert gerade, dass die Schwarte kracht.

slang

"Den Hunger stillen"

— To satisfy one's hunger.

Ein kleiner Snack kann den ersten Hunger stillen.

neutral

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

Hungern vs verhungern

Both relate to a lack of food.

Hungern describes the state of going without food. Verhungern describes the actual death caused by starvation. You can hunger for years, but you only verhungern once.

Er hungert seit Tagen, aber er wird nicht verhungern.

Hungern vs fasten

Both involve not eating.

Fasten is a choice, often for health, clarity, or religion. Hungern is generally a hardship or a desperate state of lack. You fast for a goal; you hunger because you must.

Ich faste für meine Gesundheit, ich hungere nicht.

Hungern vs darben

Both mean to live in want.

Hungern is specifically about food. Darben is a more general and literary term for living in extreme poverty where everything is lacking, not just food.

Die Familie musste jahrelang darben.

Hungern vs schmachten

Both can mean to long for something.

Hungern nach is more visceral and intense. Schmachten is more romantic, emotional, or pining. You hunger for success; you schmachten for a lover.

Er schmachtet nach seiner Freundin.

Hungern vs dürsten

Both are biological needs used metaphorically.

Hungern is for food; dürsten is for liquid. Metaphorically, they are often paired (hungern und dürsten), but dürsten implies a more immediate 'thirst' for something like knowledge.

Er dürstet nach Rache.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

[Subject] [hungern].

Die Vögel hungern.

[Subject] [haben] [gehungert].

Wir haben gehungert.

[Subject] [hungern] nach [Dative Noun].

Er hungert nach Liebe.

[Subject] [müssen] [hungern], um [Infinitive].

Sie muss hungern, um dünn zu bleiben.

Die nach [Dative] [hungernde] [Noun]...

Die nach Macht hungernde Elite...

Es hungert [Accusative Object] nach [Dative].

Es hungert mich nach Gerechtigkeit.

[Subject] [hungerte] während [Genitive].

Er hungerte während der Dürre.

Anstatt zu [hungern], [Subject]...

Anstatt zu hungern, isst er Obst.

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

क्रिया

विशेषण

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

Common in news and literature; less common in casual daily talk compared to 'Hunger haben'.

सामान्य गलतियाँ

Using 'Ich hungere' for 'I am hungry'. → Ich habe Hunger.
'Ich hungere' implies you are in a state of starvation or a hunger strike. It's too strong for just wanting a snack.
Using 'hungern für' for metaphorical hunger. → hungern nach.
In German, the preposition 'nach' is required for metaphorical hunger, not 'für'.
Confusing 'hungern' with 'verhungern'. → Use 'hungern' for the state, 'verhungern' for death.
Saying 'Er ist gehungert' (He has starved) sounds like he just didn't eat; 'Er ist verhungert' means he died.
Pronouncing the 'g' in 'hungern'. → Pronounce the 'ng' as one sound.
Many learners say 'hun-gern' with a hard G. It should be the velar nasal /ŋ/.
Using 'hungern' as a transitive verb. → Er hungert. (Intransitive)
You cannot 'hungern' an object. You can 'aushungern' (starve out) someone, but 'hungern' itself is intransitive.

सुझाव

Use 'nach' for Cravings

Always remember that metaphorical hunger uses 'nach' + Dative. 'Ich hungere nach dem (Dativ) Sieg.' This is a very common B1/B2 level structure.

Hunger vs. Hungern

Keep the noun 'Hunger' and the verb 'hungern' separate in your mind. Use the noun for the feeling and the verb for the state or action of deprivation.

Serious Situations

Reserve 'hungern' for serious contexts like social issues, history, or intense personal drives to avoid sounding overly dramatic in casual settings.

Literary Flair

In creative writing, use 'hungern' to show a character's desperation or deep-seated motivation. It is more evocative than 'etwas wollen'.

The 'ng' Sound

Practice the German 'ng' sound. It is produced in the back of the throat. Do not let a hard 'g' sound slip in; it's not 'hun-gern' but 'hu-ng-ern'.

Sensitivity

Be aware of Germany's history with food shortages. Using 'hungern' can sometimes touch on sensitive historical or social topics.

The 'N' Rule

Think of the 'n' in 'hungern' as 'Not' (need/distress). 'Hungern' is when the 'Hunger' leads to 'Not'.

Formal Reports

In formal writing, use 'hungern' to describe economic or social lack. It is the professional term used by NGOs and journalists.

Hungern vs. Fasten

If the lack of food is a choice for health or religion, use 'fasten'. If it's a hardship, use 'hungern'.

Impersonal Form

Recognize 'mich hungert' in older literature, but don't use it in your B1 exam! It's good for reading comprehension but not for active use.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of 'Hunger' (English) + 'n' (German infinitive ending). If you 'hunger-n', you are acting out the state of hunger.

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a person looking at an empty plate with a giant letter 'N' on it. The 'N' stands for 'Nichts' (nothing) to eat while they 'hungern'.

Word Web

Hunger Hungrig Verhungern Hungersnot Hungerstreik Aushungern Heißhunger Hungerlohn

चैलेंज

Try to write three sentences using 'hungern': one literal, one metaphorical with 'nach', and one in the past tense.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Derived from the Old High German 'hungarōn' and Middle High German 'hungern'. It shares roots with the English word 'hunger'.

मूल अर्थ: To feel the pain of hunger or to be in need of food.

Germanic

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Be careful using 'hungern' lightly; it can be insensitive to those who have experienced real famine or eating disorders.

English speakers often use 'starving' hyperbolically ('I'm starving!'), but Germans are more literal. 'Ich hungere' sounds much more serious than 'I'm starving' usually does in English.

Franz Kafka: 'Ein Hungerkünstler' (A Hunger Artist) Knut Hamsun: 'Hunger' (though Norwegian, the German translation 'Hunger' is a classic) Welthungerhilfe (German NGO)

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Humanitarian Aid

Hungernde Kinder
Gegen den Hunger kämpfen
Nahrungsmittelhilfe leisten
Die Hungersnot beenden

Dieting and Health

Eine Diät machen
Kalorien zählen
Sich gesund ernähren
Nicht zu viel hungern

Metaphorical Desires

Nach Liebe hungern
Nach Erfolg streben
Nach Wissen dürsten
Nach Anerkennung suchen

History

In Kriegszeiten
Mangel an Lebensmitteln
Die Rationierung
Überleben sichern

Protest

In den Hungerstreik treten
Politische Forderungen
Gewaltfreier Widerstand
Aufmerksam machen

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"Hast du schon mal einen ganzen Tag lang freiwillig gehungert?"

"Was denkst du über Menschen, die für ihre Schönheit hungern?"

"Warum hungern in einer so reichen Welt immer noch so viele Menschen?"

"Hungerst du manchmal nach Abenteuern oder bist du eher ein Stubenhocker?"

"Glaubst du, dass Künstler hungern müssen, um gute Kunst zu schaffen?"

डायरी विषय

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du nach etwas anderem als Essen gehungert hast (z.B. Anerkennung).

Was bedeutet das Wort 'hungern' für dich im Vergleich zu 'Hunger haben'?

Schreibe über ein historisches Ereignis, bei dem Menschen hungern mussten.

Reflektiere über die heutige Gesellschaft: Wonach hungern die Menschen am meisten?

Wie könnte man das Problem des weltweiten Hungerns lösen?

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

Technically yes, but it sounds very dramatic. It's like saying 'I am starving' in English, but even more intense. Usually, Germans say 'Ich habe Hunger' for the daily feeling of wanting to eat.

'Hunger haben' is the standard way to express the immediate physical desire for food. 'Hungern' is a verb that describes a more prolonged state of deprivation, suffering, or a metaphorical craving.

Use the preposition 'nach' followed by a noun in the dative case. For example, 'Er hungert nach Liebe' (He hungers for love) or 'Sie hungern nach Erfolg' (They hunger for success).

Yes, it is a regular weak verb. The forms are: hungern (infinitive), hungerte (past), gehungert (past participle). It follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ern.

Use 'verhungern' when you mean 'to die of starvation' or when you are using hyperbole to say you are extremely hungry ('Ich verhungere gleich!'). 'Hungern' is the state, 'verhungern' is the result.

Yes, but it usually implies a state of neglect or suffering. 'Das Tier hungert' means the animal is not being fed properly and is suffering as a result.

Yes, it can be used to describe a high demand. For example, 'Der Markt hungert nach neuen Ideen' means the market is desperate for new ideas.

It means to starve oneself in order to become thin. It is often used in the context of extreme dieting or eating disorders.

A 'Hungerstreik' is a hunger strike, a form of protest where someone refuses to eat to achieve a political or social goal. The verb used is 'in den Hungerstreik treten'.

It is very rare and sounds archaic or highly poetic. In modern everyday German, nobody says 'es hungert mich'; they always say 'ich habe Hunger'.

सुझाव और नोट्स के लिए मुफ़्त साइन अप करें