Meaning
Expressing the need to eat.
Cultural Background
Latvians traditionally eat a heavy lunch and a lighter dinner. If you say 'Esmu izsalcis' around 1:00 PM, expect a full meal with potatoes and meat. In rural areas, offering food is a matter of pride. Saying you are hungry is never seen as an imposition but as a gift to the host's hospitality. Many folk songs (dainas) mention hunger as a test of character or a result of hard work in the fields. The 'Wolters' and 'Bolt Food' culture has changed things; 'Esmu izsalcis' is now often followed by opening an app on a smartphone.
Gender Matters
Always check your ending! -is for men, -usi for women.
Don't say 'Man ir'
Avoid the English 'I have hunger' trap. Use 'Esmu'.
Meaning
Expressing the need to eat.
Gender Matters
Always check your ending! -is for men, -usi for women.
Don't say 'Man ir'
Avoid the English 'I have hunger' trap. Use 'Esmu'.
Use Intensifiers
Add 'nedaudz' (a bit) to sound polite or 'nāvīgi' (deadly) to sound dramatic.
The Bread Rule
If you say this in a Latvian home, you will almost certainly be served rye bread first.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form for a woman saying she is hungry.
Anna: 'Esmu _______.'
Anna is female, so the feminine singular ending '-usi' is required.
Fill in the missing verb.
Mēs _______ ļoti izsalkuši.
'Mēs' (we) requires the verb form 'esam'.
Match the Latvian phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the four primary states related to eating and drinking.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vai tu gribi picu? B: Jā, esmu _______ izsalcis!
If you want pizza, 'ļoti' (very) is the most logical intensifier.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Agreement for 'Hungry'
Hunger Intensifiers
A little
- • nedaudz izsalcis
Very
- • ļoti izsalcis
Extreme
- • nāvīgi izsalcis
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAnna: 'Esmu _______.'
Anna is female, so the feminine singular ending '-usi' is required.
Mēs _______ ļoti izsalkuši.
'Mēs' (we) requires the verb form 'esam'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the four primary states related to eating and drinking.
A: Vai tu gribi picu? B: Jā, esmu _______ izsalcis!
If you want pizza, 'ļoti' (very) is the most logical intensifier.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Use 'Esmu nāvīgi izsalcis' or 'Esmu pārgribējies'.
Yes, 'Suns ir izsalcis' (The dog is hungry) is perfectly correct.
It is 'Mēs esam izsalkušas'.
Just 'Gribu ēst' (I want to eat) is often shorter and more direct.
That is the noun form, meaning 'hunger'.
It's better to say 'Es gribu kaut ko iekost'.
This is due to Latvian consonant mutation rules in the plural.
No, in Latvia it's considered a compliment to the host's potential cooking!
Like 'ts' in 'tsar' or 'cats'.
Related Phrases
Gribu ēst
similarI want to eat
Esmu paēdis
contrastI am full / I have eaten
Vēders kurkst
idiomaticStomach is growling
Iekost
specialized formTo have a snack
Nāvīgi izsalcis
builds onStarving
