Meaning
Asking if someone wants to eat.
Cultural Background
It is common for Czech hosts to ask 'Máte hlad?' multiple times. Even if you say no, they might bring out a plate of 'chlebíčky' (open-faced sandwiches) anyway. In Moravia, food is often accompanied by wine or slivovitz. Asking if someone is hungry is often the first step in a long evening of hospitality. The lunch hour is sacred. If a colleague asks 'Máte hlad?', they are likely inviting you to join the daily 'polední menu' (lunch menu) at a local pub. The 'Hunger Wall' on Petřín Hill is a physical monument to the concept of 'hlad', built to provide relief during a 14th-century famine.
The Negative is More Polite
Asking 'Nemáte hlad?' (Don't you have hunger?) is a very Czech way to be extra polite and less direct.
Avoid 'Jste'
Never say 'Jste hladoví?' unless you are a doctor or in a very formal, dramatic play.
Meaning
Asking if someone wants to eat.
The Negative is More Polite
Asking 'Nemáte hlad?' (Don't you have hunger?) is a very Czech way to be extra polite and less direct.
Avoid 'Jste'
Never say 'Jste hladoví?' unless you are a doctor or in a very formal, dramatic play.
The Three-Time Rule
If a host asks 'Máte hlad?', they might expect you to say 'no' first. Don't be afraid to say 'yes' if you really are hungry!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct formal way to ask 'Are you hungry?'
Jak se řekne formálně 'Are you hungry?'
'Máte hlad?' is the correct formal/plural form using the verb 'mít'.
Fill in the missing verb for the plural 'you'.
Děti, ______ hlad?
When addressing a group (children), you must use the 'vy' form of the verb, which is 'máte'.
Complete the dialogue with a polite inquiry.
Hostitel: 'Vítejte! ______ hlad?' Host: 'Ano, děkuji, trochu mám.'
The standard way to welcome someone and offer food is to ask if they 'have hunger'.
Match the phrase to the correct person.
To whom would you say 'Máte hlad?'
'Máte' is used for plural groups or formal individuals.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
English vs Czech Hunger
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJak se řekne formálně 'Are you hungry?'
'Máte hlad?' is the correct formal/plural form using the verb 'mít'.
Děti, ______ hlad?
When addressing a group (children), you must use the 'vy' form of the verb, which is 'máte'.
Hostitel: 'Vítejte! ______ hlad?' Host: 'Ano, děkuji, trochu mám.'
The standard way to welcome someone and offer food is to ask if they 'have hunger'.
To whom would you say 'Máte hlad?'
'Máte' is used for plural groups or formal individuals.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, if you are being formal (using 'Vy'). If it's a close friend, use 'Máš hlad?'.
Yes, 'hlad' is a masculine inanimate noun.
You say 'Mám velký hlad'.
'Hlad' is the noun (hunger), 'hladový' is the adjective (hungry). We use the noun with the verb 'mít'.
No, it's a direct and normal way to express a need.
It's better to use 'touha po úspěchu' (desire for success). 'Hlad' is mostly physical.
In Czech, voiced consonants at the end of a word become unvoiced. 'D' becomes 'T'.
Use 'Máte žízeň?'.
It means 'to starve' or 'to go hungry' over a period of time.
Yes, Slovak uses the same structure: 'Máte hlad?'.
Related Phrases
Mám hlad jako vlk
specialized formI am hungry as a wolf
Máte žízeň?
similarAre you thirsty?
Dobrou chuť
builds onEnjoy your meal
Dáte si něco k jídlu?
similarWill you have something to eat?
Užírám se hlady
specialized formI am dying of hunger
