Meaning
To express the physical sensation of needing food.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are extremely hospitable. If you say 'Estou com fome', expect to be offered a variety of snacks, from pão de queijo to coxinha. In Portugal, meal times are strictly observed. Saying 'Tenho fome' outside of lunch (13:00) or dinner (20:00) might lead to a discussion about the best 'pasteleria' nearby. In Angola, sharing food is a sign of community. The phrase might be followed by an invitation to share a 'funge'. The concept of 'merenda' or 'lanche' is a specific small meal to bridge the gap between main meals when you feel 'um pouco de fome'.
Use 'Tô'
If you want to sound like a local in Brazil, always use 'Tô' instead of 'Estou'.
Gender Agreement
Never say 'muito fome'. It's always 'muita' because 'fome' is feminine.
Meaning
To express the physical sensation of needing food.
Use 'Tô'
If you want to sound like a local in Brazil, always use 'Tô' instead of 'Estou'.
Gender Agreement
Never say 'muito fome'. It's always 'muita' because 'fome' is feminine.
Hospitality
Be careful saying you're hungry at a Brazilian grandma's house unless you're prepared to eat a 5-course meal!
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'estar'.
Eu ___ com fome.
'Eu' requires the first-person singular form 'estou'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'I am very hungry'?
'Fome' is feminine, so we use 'muita'.
Match the Portuguese phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are common variations of the basic phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Você quer comer agora? B: Sim, eu ___ ___ ___.
The standard response to an invitation to eat.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ___ com fome.
'Eu' requires the first-person singular form 'estou'.
How do you say 'I am very hungry'?
'Fome' is feminine, so we use 'muita'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are common variations of the basic phrase.
A: Você quer comer agora? B: Sim, eu ___ ___ ___.
The standard response to an invitation to eat.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it sounds a bit poetic or old-fashioned. 'Estou com fome' is much more natural.
It is feminine (a fome). That's why we say 'muita fome'.
You can say 'Estou morrendo de fome' or 'Estou faminto'.
'Fome' is physical need. 'Vontade de comer' is a craving or desire for a specific taste.
Because hunger is a temporary state that will go away once you eat.
Not at all! It's very common and direct among friends and family.
You say: 'Vocês estão com fome?'
It means 'hunger suddenly hit me'.
Yes, just replace 'fome' with 'sede': 'Estou com sede'.
Yes, 'estar na broca' is a common Brazilian slang.
Related Phrases
Morrendo de fome
specialized formStarving
Com sede
similarThirsty
Com sono
similarSleepy
Saco vazio não para em pé
builds onAn empty sack can't stand upright
Matar a fome
specialized formTo kill the hunger
