Meaning
To feel the need to eat food.
Cultural Background
Meal times are much later than in Northern Europe. Lunch is at 2 PM and dinner at 9 or 10 PM. You will hear 'tengo hambre' a lot around 1:30 PM! Street food culture is huge. If you say 'tengo hambre', someone will likely point you to the nearest taco stand. The 'merienda' (afternoon snack) is a sacred tradition. If you have hunger at 5 PM, it's time for tea and facturas. Hospitality is paramount. If you tell a Colombian host 'tengo hambre', they will likely serve you a massive 'bandeja paisa'.
The 'Mucho' Trap
Always use 'mucha' with 'hambre'. Even though you say 'el hambre', it's a feminine noun. 'Tengo mucha hambre' is the only correct way.
Don't use 'Estar'
Avoid 'Estoy hambriento' unless you want to sound very dramatic or like a book. Stick to 'Tengo hambre'.
Meaning
To feel the need to eat food.
The 'Mucho' Trap
Always use 'mucha' with 'hambre'. Even though you say 'el hambre', it's a feminine noun. 'Tengo mucha hambre' is the only correct way.
Don't use 'Estar'
Avoid 'Estoy hambriento' unless you want to sound very dramatic or like a book. Stick to 'Tengo hambre'.
Social Hunger
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying you're hungry is a compliment to the cook—it means you're ready to enjoy their food!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'tener'.
Yo _______ mucha hambre.
The first person singular form of 'tener' is 'tengo'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'I am very hungry'.
We use 'tener' with the noun 'hambre' and the feminine adjective 'mucha'.
Complete the dialogue.
Juan: ¿Quieres una pizza? Maria: Sí, por favor. _________.
Maria wants pizza because she is hungry.
Match the phrase to the intensity.
You haven't eaten all day and your stomach is growling loudly.
'Hambre de lobo' indicates intense, extreme hunger.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tener vs. To Be
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo _______ mucha hambre.
The first person singular form of 'tener' is 'tengo'.
Choose the correct way to say 'I am very hungry'.
We use 'tener' with the noun 'hambre' and the feminine adjective 'mucha'.
Juan: ¿Quieres una pizza? Maria: Sí, por favor. _________.
Maria wants pizza because she is hungry.
You haven't eaten all day and your stomach is growling loudly.
'Hambre de lobo' indicates intense, extreme hunger.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTo avoid the 'a-a' sound of 'la hambre'. This happens with feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a'.
Yes, but it sounds more like 'I am starving' and is less common in daily conversation than 'Tengo hambre'.
You can say 'Me muero de hambre' (I'm dying of hunger) or 'Tengo un hambre de lobo'.
Yes, metaphorically, like 'hambre de justicia' (hunger for justice).
'Hambre' is the physical need; 'apetito' is more formal and refers to the desire to eat.
It is always 'mucha hambre' because 'hambre' is feminine.
Simply ask: '¿Tienes hambre?'
Yes, it is universal across all 21 Spanish-speaking countries.
No, it's a normal way to tell the waiter you are ready to order.
'Gusa' is a slang term for hunger used mainly in Spain.
Related Phrases
Tener sed
similarTo be thirsty
Tener sueño
similarTo be sleepy
Tener ganas de
builds onTo feel like / To want
Estar lleno
contrastTo be full
Matar el hambre
specialized formTo take the edge off hunger
