Meaning
Used to express the feeling of hunger.
Cultural Background
Spaniards eat dinner much later than most other cultures, often after 9:00 PM. If you say 'Tengo hambre' at 6:00 PM, you might be offered a 'merienda' (snack) instead of a full meal. In Mexico, 'la comida' (the mid-afternoon meal) is the most important. Saying 'Tengo hambre' around 2:00 PM or 3:00 PM is the signal for the main family gathering. Argentines are famous for their late-night 'asados'. 'Tengo hambre' might be heard late into the night while waiting for the meat to finish grilling. In Colombia, a common informal way to express hunger is 'Tengo un filo', which literally means 'I have an edge'.
The 'Mucha' Rule
Always use 'mucha' with 'hambre'. Even though you might hear 'el hambre', it's a feminine noun. 'Mucho hambre' is a dead giveaway that you're a beginner!
Don't use 'Ser'
Never say 'Soy hambre'. It sounds like you are the personification of hunger itself, which is a bit too poetic for a lunch break.
Meaning
Used to express the feeling of hunger.
The 'Mucha' Rule
Always use 'mucha' with 'hambre'. Even though you might hear 'el hambre', it's a feminine noun. 'Mucho hambre' is a dead giveaway that you're a beginner!
Don't use 'Ser'
Never say 'Soy hambre'. It sounds like you are the personification of hunger itself, which is a bit too poetic for a lunch break.
Sound like a native
Use 'Me muero de hambre' if you want to sound more natural and expressive when you're really ready to eat.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct way to say 'I am hungry' in Spanish.
How do you say 'I am hungry'?
Spanish uses 'Tener' (to have) + 'hambre' (hunger).
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the adjective 'mucho'.
Tengo _______ hambre.
'Hambre' is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine adjective 'mucha'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Quieres ir a comer? B: Sí, ________ mucha hambre.
The speaker is talking about themselves, so 'tengo' is the correct conjugation.
Match the Spanish phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
All these physiological states use 'Tener' in Spanish.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHow do you say 'I am hungry'?
Spanish uses 'Tener' (to have) + 'hambre' (hunger).
Tengo _______ hambre.
'Hambre' is a feminine noun, so it requires the feminine adjective 'mucha'.
A: ¿Quieres ir a comer? B: Sí, ________ mucha hambre.
The speaker is talking about themselves, so 'tengo' is the correct conjugation.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All these physiological states use 'Tener' in Spanish.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIn Spanish, feminine nouns starting with a stressed 'a' sound use 'el' to avoid the two 'a' sounds blending (la hambre -> l'hambre). However, the noun remains feminine, so adjectives like 'mucha' stay feminine.
Yes, but it's much less common in daily speech. It sounds more like 'I am famished' or is used in literature.
Yes, it's perfectly polite. You can add 'por favor' or 'disculpe' to be even more courteous.
'Hambre' is the physical need for food. 'Apetito' is the desire to eat (like 'appetite'). You 'have' both.
Related Phrases
Tengo sed
similarI am thirsty
Me muero de hambre
specialized formI am starving
Buen provecho
builds onEnjoy your meal
Estar satisfecho
contrastTo be full/satisfied
