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Vocabulary
estar com fome

A2 noun 10 min read

estar com fome

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips estar com fome in 30 Seconds

Explanation estar com fome in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'estar com fome' as a fixed phrase. You should focus on conjugating the verb 'estar' in the present tense: 'Eu estou com fome', 'Você está com fome'. It is one of the first physical sensations you learn, alongside 'estar com sede' (thirsty). At this stage, you don't need to worry about the deep grammar of why 'com' is used; just treat the whole block 'estar com fome' as the equivalent of 'to be hungry'. You should be able to ask a simple question like 'Você está com fome?' and answer 'Sim' or 'Não'.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand the phrase. You learn to use intensifiers like 'muita' (Estou com muita fome) and understand that 'fome' is a feminine noun requiring 'muita' instead of 'muito'. You also start using the phrase in the simple past ('Eu estava com fome') and the immediate future ('Eu vou estar com fome'). You can now describe why you are hungry, such as 'Estou com fome porque não almocei'. This level involves integrating the phrase into slightly more complex social interactions, like ordering food in a restaurant because you are hungry.

At the B1 level, you use 'estar com fome' more flexibly across different tenses, including the conditional ('Eu estaria com fome se não tivesse comido') and the present subjunctive ('Espero que você não esteja com fome'). You also start incorporating idiomatic intensifiers like 'morrendo de fome' or 'fome de leão'. You understand the nuance between 'estar com fome' and 'ter fome' and can use the phrase in more abstract ways, such as describing a 'fome de aprender' (hunger for learning). Your ability to use the phrase in storytelling increases.

At the B2 level, you are comfortable with the phrase in all grammatical moods, including the past subjunctive ('Se eu estivesse com fome, eu falaria'). You can distinguish between different registers, knowing when to use 'faminto' (formal/literary) versus 'com uma larica' (slang). You understand the cultural implications of the phrase and can use it to navigate complex social situations, like politely hinting at hunger during a long meeting. You also recognize the phrase in various Lusophone dialects and can adjust your pronunciation or usage accordingly.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'estar com fome'. You use it effortlessly and can play with the language, using metaphors and creative expressions involving hunger. You understand the historical etymology of the words and can discuss the socio-economic implications of 'fome' in Lusophone countries (e.g., 'combate à fome'). You can use the phrase in high-level academic or professional writing without hesitation, and you understand the subtle differences in meaning that come with different adjectives or prepositions (e.g., 'fome por' vs 'fome de').

At the C2 level, you use 'estar com fome' with the same nuance as a native speaker. You can use it ironically, sarcastically, or poetically. You are aware of obscure regional variations and archaic forms. You can analyze literature that uses 'fome' as a central theme (like the works of Carolina Maria de Jesus or Josué de Castro) and discuss the linguistic choices made by the authors. The phrase is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a versatile tool in your complete command of the Portuguese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

estar com fome in 30 Seconds

The standard Portuguese way to say 'to be hungry'.
Uses 'estar' (temporary state) + 'com' (with) + 'fome' (hunger).
Requires 'muita' (feminine) for emphasis: 'muita fome'.
Essential for daily social interactions and dining out.

The Portuguese expression "estar com fome" is the primary way to express the physiological sensation of hunger. Unlike English, which uses the verb 'to be' followed by an adjective ('hungry'), Portuguese utilizes the verb estar (to be in a temporary state) followed by the preposition com (with) and the noun fome (hunger). This structural difference is vital for learners to grasp early on, as it reflects a broader pattern in the language where feelings and physical sensations are often described as something one 'is with' or 'has' rather than something one 'is' inherently.

Literal Translation: To be with hunger.
Grammatical Composition: The verb 'estar' indicates a transitory state. You aren't always hungry; it is a condition that will change once you eat. Using 'ser' (the permanent 'to be') would be grammatically incorrect in this context.
Common Intensifiers: To say you are 'very hungry', you modify the noun 'fome' with the feminine adjective 'muita' (e.g., 'Estou com muita fome'). You do not use 'muito' because it must agree with the feminine noun 'fome'.

"Depois de correr dez quilômetros, eu estou com fome de leão."
— Translation: After running ten kilometers, I am hungry as a lion (starving).

People use this phrase in every social tier, from formal business lunches to casual family gatherings. It is the standard, polite, and most frequent way to announce you need food. In Brazil, it is common to hear it shortly before the traditional 'almoço' (lunch), which is usually the largest meal of the day. In Portugal, the usage remains identical, though the accentuation of 'fome' may vary slightly. The phrase is also used metaphorically to describe a strong desire for something, such as 'fome de poder' (hunger for power) or 'fome de vencer' (hunger to win), though the literal physical meaning is the most prevalent.

"Você já quer jantar? — Sim, já estou com fome."

"As crianças estão com fome porque não merendaram."

"Se você estiver com fome, tem bolo na cozinha."

"Eu não estava com fome até sentir o cheiro do churrasco."

Using estar com fome effectively requires a basic understanding of the verb estar and how to modify nouns. Since hunger is a state that fluctuates, estar is the only appropriate verb. You will conjugate estar according to the subject, while com fome remains stable. For example, 'Eu estou com fome', 'Nós estamos com fome', 'Eles estão com fome'. This consistency makes it one of the easier idiomatic expressions for beginners to master once they know their verb conjugations.

The Negative Form: To say you are not hungry, simply place 'não' before the verb: 'Eu não estou com fome'. This is often used to politely decline food.
Questions: In Portuguese, questions are often formed by inflection. 'Você está com fome?' (Are you hungry?) sounds just like the statement but with a rising tone at the end.
Past and Future: Past: 'Eu estava com fome' (I was hungry). Future: 'Eu estarei com fome' (I will be hungry) or the more common 'Eu vou estar com fome'.

"Sempre que eu viajo, estou com fome o tempo todo."

When you want to emphasize the degree of hunger, you have several options. The most common is adding muita: 'Estou com muita fome'. Note that 'muito' (the adverb) becomes 'muita' (the adjective) because it describes the noun 'fome'. If you are absolutely starving, you might say 'Estou morrendo de fome' (I'm dying of hunger). This is a very common hyperbole in Portuguese-speaking countries. Another colloquial way to express this is 'Estou com uma fome que não me aguento' (I'm so hungry I can't stand it).

"A gente está com fome, vamos parar naquele restaurante?"

"O bebê chora porque está com fome."

"Ninguém consegue trabalhar bem quando está com fome."

"Se vocês estiverem com fome, podemos pedir uma pizza."

In formal writing, you might see the verb 'ter' (to have) used instead: 'Tenho fome'. While 'estar com fome' is the standard for expressing a current feeling, 'ter fome' can sometimes imply a more chronic state or be used in more poetic or literary contexts. However, for 99% of daily interactions, 'estar com' is your go-to structure. This pattern also applies to other physical states like 'estar com sede' (to be thirsty), 'estar com frio' (to be cold), and 'estar com sono' (to be sleepy).

The phrase estar com fome is ubiquitous. You will hear it in the streets, in movies, in songs, and most importantly, in the home. In a Brazilian household, the question 'Você está com fome?' is often the first thing a guest hears. It is the cornerstone of Lusophone hospitality. If you are watching a Brazilian soap opera (novela), characters will frequently use this phrase to signal a break in the action or a transition to a kitchen scene, which is a staple of the genre.

In Restaurants: Customers might say to a waiter, 'Pode trazer o cardápio rápido? Estamos com muita fome.' (Can you bring the menu quickly? We are very hungry.)
In Schools: Children often complain to teachers, 'Estou com fome, quando é o lanche?' (I'm hungry, when is the snack?)
In Pop Culture: Songs often use 'fome' as a metaphor for longing or desire. A famous line might be 'Tenho fome de você' (I hunger for you), which is more romantic than the literal 'estar com fome'.

"Mãe, estou com fome! O que tem para comer?"

In professional environments, admitting you are hungry is a common way to suggest a lunch break. If a meeting is running long, someone might say, 'Pessoal, já estamos com fome, vamos fazer uma pausa?' This is socially acceptable and often welcomed. You'll also hear it in news reports discussing food insecurity, though the terminology might shift to 'passar fome' (to go hungry/starve) to describe the systemic issue rather than the temporary sensation.

"Se o cliente estiver com fome, ele não vai prestar atenção na apresentação."

"Eu estou com uma fome que comeria um boi inteiro!"

"Você não comeu nada o dia todo? Deve estar com muita fome."

"O cachorro está com fome, veja como ele balança o rabo perto da tigela."

When traveling in Portuguese-speaking countries, knowing this phrase is essential for survival. Whether you're at a 'padaria' (bakery) in Lisbon or a 'lanchonete' (snack bar) in Rio de Janeiro, being able to say 'estou com fome' will immediately signal your needs to the staff. It's a human universal, but the Portuguese way of saying it provides a unique window into the language's structure and the cultural importance of shared meals.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is trying to translate 'I am hungry' literally. They often say 'Eu sou faminto' or 'Eu estou faminto'. While 'faminto' is a real word meaning 'starving' or 'famished', it is much more formal and dramatic than the English 'hungry'. Using it in a casual setting sounds unnatural, like saying 'I am currently experiencing a profound state of inanition' when you just want a sandwich.

Confusing Ser and Estar: Beginners often use 'sou' instead of 'estou'. 'Eu sou com fome' is grammatically nonsensical. Remember: sensations use 'estar'.
Incorrect Gender Agreement: Saying 'Estou com muito fome' is a classic error. Because 'fome' is feminine, you must use 'muita'. This applies to all adjectives modifying 'fome'.
Misusing 'Ter': While 'Tenho fome' is correct, using it in a casual conversation can sometimes sound a bit stiff or overly poetic depending on the region. Stick to 'estou com' for daily life.

"Erro comum: Estou muito fome. Correto: Estou com muita fome."

Another mistake involves the preposition 'com'. Some learners forget it entirely, saying 'Estou fome'. This sounds like you are saying 'I am hunger', which makes you sound like a metaphysical entity rather than a hungry person. The 'com' is essential because it links the state (estar) to the sensation (fome). Also, be careful with the word 'fome' itself; don't confuse it with 'fumo' (smoke) or 'fama' (fame), which can lead to some very confusing sentences!

"Não diga 'Eu sou fome'. Diga 'Eu estou com fome'."

"Evite dizer 'estou com muito fome'. O certo é 'muita fome' porque fome é feminino."

"Não confunda 'estar com fome' com 'passar fome' (to suffer from starvation)."

"Se você disser 'estou faminto', as pessoas vão achar que você não come há dias!"

Finally, remember the context of 'estar'. If you use 'estar' with an adjective that usually takes 'ser', you change the meaning. But with 'com fome', 'estar' is the only logical choice. If you were to say 'Eu sou faminto', you are saying that being hungry is a permanent personality trait of yours, which is a very strange thing to say in any language!

While estar com fome is the standard, there are several alternatives that can add color to your Portuguese. Depending on the intensity and the situation, you might choose a different word or phrase. Understanding these nuances will help you move from a basic A2 level to a more fluent B1/B2 level of expression.

Estar faminto: This is the direct equivalent of 'starving'. It's more intense and slightly more formal/literary than 'estar com fome'. Use it when you are truly desperate for food.
Estar com apetite: This means 'to have an appetite'. It sounds a bit more refined and is often used in medical contexts or when discussing the desire to eat specifically tasty food.
Ter uma larica (Slang - Brazil): In Brazil, 'larica' refers to a sudden, intense hunger, often specifically the kind of hunger that comes after using cannabis, but it's used generally for 'the munchies'.

"Eu não estou apenas com fome, eu estou faminto!"

Another common expression is estar com um buraco no estômago (to have a hole in one's stomach). This is used when you feel like no matter how much you eat, you'll still be hungry. In Portugal, you might hear estar com uma fominha (to be a little hungry). The diminutive '-inha' softens the statement, making it sound less like a demand and more like a suggestion for a light snack.

"Estou com uma fominha, vamos comer um pastel?"

"Depois da trilha, todos estavam esfomeados."

"O paciente disse que não tem tido muito apetite ultimamente."

"Bateu uma larica agora, tem biscoito aí?"

In summary, while 'estar com fome' is your most reliable tool, don't be afraid to experiment with 'morrendo de fome' for emphasis or 'fominha' for a gentler approach. Just remember to keep the grammar consistent: 'estar com' + [noun] or 'estar' + [adjective]. Mastering these variations will make your Portuguese sound much more natural and expressive.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'fome' has remained remarkably similar to its Latin ancestor 'fames' for over two thousand years. While English shifted to the Germanic 'hungry', Portuguese kept the Latin noun-based structure.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /isˈtaɾ kõ ˈfomɨ/

US /esˈtaʁ kũ ˈfomɪ/

The primary stress is on the second syllable of 'estar' (TAR) and the first syllable of 'fome' (FO).

Rhymes With

nome consome some prome abdome lobisome homem (near rhyme) fome (self)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'fome' like 'foam' (it should have two syllables or a nasalized 'o').
Over-emphasizing the final 'e' in 'fome' (it should be very light).
Forgetting the nasalization of 'com'.
Pronouncing the 's' in 'estar' as 's' instead of 'sh' (in Lisbon or Rio).
Making the 'o' in 'fome' too open (it is a closed vowel).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the 'com' and the feminine 'muita'.

Speaking 2/5

Requires correct conjugation of 'estar'.

Listening 1/5

Common and easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

estar com eu você

Learn Next

sede sono frio calor medo

Advanced

faminto esfomeado inanidade apetite

Grammar to Know

Estar vs Ser

Use 'estar' for temporary states like hunger.

Noun Gender

'Fome' is feminine, so use 'muita' (not 'muito').

Preposition 'com'

Always include 'com' between 'estar' and 'fome'.

Contractions

'Estou' often becomes 'tô' in spoken Portuguese.

Subjunctive Mood

Use 'esteja' after expressions of doubt or emotion.

Examples by Level

Eu estou com fome.

I am hungry.

Present tense of 'estar'.

Você está com fome?

Are you hungry?

Question form.

Nós estamos com fome.

We are hungry.

First person plural.

Ela não está com fome.

She is not hungry.

Negative form.

O gato está com fome.

The cat is hungry.

Third person singular.

Eles estão com fome.

They are hungry.

Third person plural.

Eu estou com muita fome.

I am very hungry.

Use of 'muita' for emphasis.

Você está com fome agora?

Are you hungry now?

Adverb 'agora'.

Eu estava com fome de manhã.

I was hungry in the morning.

Imperfect past of 'estar'.

Se você estiver com fome, coma uma maçã.

If you are hungry, eat an apple.

Future subjunctive.

Nós vamos estar com fome depois da aula.

We are going to be hungry after class.

Immediate future.

Ele não comeu nada, deve estar com fome.

He didn't eat anything, he must be hungry.

Modal verb 'deve'.

Estou com fome, vamos ao restaurante?

I'm hungry, shall we go to the restaurant?

Suggestion.

As crianças estão sempre com fome.

The children are always hungry.

Adverb 'sempre'.

Eu não estou com fome ainda.

I'm not hungry yet.

Adverb 'ainda'.

Você estava com muita fome ontem?

Were you very hungry yesterday?

Past tense question.

Se eu estivesse com fome, eu já teria comido.

If I were hungry, I would have already eaten.

Imperfect subjunctive + conditional.

É normal estar com fome após o exercício.

It is normal to be hungry after exercise.

Infinitive use.

Ela disse que estava com uma fome de leão.

She said she was starving (hungry as a lion).

Reported speech + idiom.

Espero que os convidados não estejam com fome.

I hope the guests are not hungry.

Present subjunctive.

Mesmo estando com fome, ele esperou por nós.

Even being hungry, he waited for us.

Gerund 'estando'.

Eu estaria com fome se não tivesse lanchado.

I would be hungry if I hadn't had a snack.

Conditional tense.

Você parece estar com fome.

You seem to be hungry.

Verb 'parecer' + infinitive.

Fiquei com fome assim que senti o cheiro da comida.

I got hungry as soon as I smelled the food.

Preterite 'fiquei' (became).

Duvido que ele ainda esteja com fome depois de tanto comer.

I doubt he's still hungry after eating so much.

Subjunctive after 'duvidar'.

Estar com fome é o melhor tempero para a comida.

Being hungry is the best seasoning for food.

Proverbial usage.

Caso você esteja com fome, há sobras na geladeira.

In case you are hungry, there are leftovers in the fridge.

Conjunction 'caso' + subjunctive.

Ele fingiu não estar com fome para não incomodar.

He pretended not to be hungry so as not to bother.

Infinitive after 'fingir'.

Apesar de estar com fome, ela manteve a dieta.

Despite being hungry, she kept her diet.

Conjunction 'apesar de'.

Quem estiver com fome, que levante a mão.

Whoever is hungry, raise your hand.

Relative pronoun + subjunctive.

Não convém sair para fazer compras quando se está com fome.

It's not advisable to go shopping when one is hungry.

Impersonal 'se'.

Ela estava com uma fome tamanha que nem conseguia falar.

She was so hungry she couldn't even speak.

Intensifier 'tamanha'.

A persistência em estar com fome revela a precariedade da situação.

The persistence of being hungry reveals the precariousness of the situation.

Abstract noun phrase.

Por mais que eu esteja com fome, não comerei carne.

No matter how hungry I am, I will not eat meat.

Concessive clause.

O autor descreve o ato de estar com fome como uma tortura psicológica.

The author describes the act of being hungry as psychological torture.

Literary analysis.

Tomara que eles não estejam com fome quando chegarem, pois o jantar vai atrasar.

I hope they aren't hungry when they arrive, as dinner will be late.

Subjunctive with 'tomara'.

A sensação de estar com fome pode ser confundida com sede.

The sensation of being hungry can be confused with thirst.

Passive voice construction.

Mal estive com fome e já providenciaram o banquete.

Hardly was I hungry and they already provided the banquet.

Adverbial 'mal'.

É imperativo que ninguém esteja com fome durante a conferência.

It is imperative that no one is hungry during the conference.

Impersonal expression + subjunctive.

Sua fome de saber era tão grande quanto o estar com fome física.

His hunger for knowledge was as great as being physically hungry.

Metaphorical comparison.

O fenômeno de estar com fome, em sua acepção biológica, transcende culturas.

The phenomenon of being hungry, in its biological sense, transcends cultures.

Philosophical/Scientific register.

Fosse ele estar com fome ou não, a hospitalidade exigia que comesse.

Whether he was hungry or not, hospitality required him to eat.

Inverted subjunctive 'fosse'.

Não obstante estar com fome, o asceta recusou a oferta.

Notwithstanding being hungry, the ascetic refused the offer.

Formal conjunction 'não obstante'.

A subjetividade de estar com fome varia conforme o metabolismo individual.

The subjectivity of being hungry varies according to individual metabolism.

Academic register.

Quiçá estivéssemos com fome, teríamos apreciado mais a iguaria.

Perhaps had we been hungry, we would have appreciated the delicacy more.

Archaic 'quiçá' + pluperfect subjunctive.

O estar com fome, outrora uma constante, tornou-se uma raridade para ele.

Being hungry, formerly a constant, became a rarity for him.

Nominalized infinitive.

Dada a condição de estar com fome, o discernimento fica comprometido.

Given the condition of being hungry, judgment becomes compromised.

Participial clause.

Subjaz à revolta o simples fato de o povo estar com fome.

Underlying the revolt is the simple fact of the people being hungry.

Complex syntax with 'subjaz'.

Common Collocations

estar com muita fome

estar com pouca fome

ainda estar com fome

sempre estar com fome

começar a estar com fome

estar com fome de leão

estar com fome de lobo

estar com fome negra

estar com fome constante

não estar com fome nenhuma

Common Phrases

Tô com fome

— Shortened, very common spoken form of 'Estou com fome'.

Mãe, tô com fome!

Você tá com fome?

— Spoken question 'Are you hungry?'.

Oi, você tá com fome?

Bateu a fome

— The hunger hit me (I suddenly became hungry).

Bateu a fome agora, vamos comer?

Matar a fome

— To kill the hunger (to satisfy one's hunger).

Preciso de um lanche para matar a fome.

Passar fome

— To go hungry or to live in a state of starvation.

Ninguém deveria passar fome no mundo.

Enganar a fome

— To trick the hunger (to eat something small to hold you over).

Vou comer uma bolacha só para enganar a fome.

Fome de tudo

— Hunger for everything (being very hungry or greedy).

Ele sentou à mesa com fome de tudo.

Morrer de fome

— To die of hunger (usually figurative 'starving').

Se o almoço demorar, vou morrer de fome.

Comer com fome

— To eat while hungry (implying the food tastes better).

Não há nada melhor que comer com fome.

Estar com fome de quê?

— What are you hungry for?

Estou com fome, mas não sei de quê.

Often Confused With

estar com fome vs estar com sede

Means 'to be thirsty'. Often learned together.

estar com fome vs estar com sono

Means 'to be sleepy'. Uses the same 'estar com' structure.

estar com fome vs passar fome

Means 'to starve' or 'go hungry' as a life condition, not a temporary feeling.

Idioms & Expressions

"Fome de leão"

— A massive hunger, like a lion's appetite.

Depois da natação, fico com uma fome de leão.

informal

"Juntar a fome com a vontade de comer"

— To combine hunger with the will to eat (when two needs or desires align perfectly).

Ele queria vender e eu queria comprar; juntou a fome com a vontade de comer.

colloquial

"Estar com uma fome que não se aguenta"

— To be so hungry one can't stand it.

Parem o carro, estou com uma fome que não me aguento!

informal

"Fome de lobo"

— Voracious hunger.

O garoto atacou a geladeira com fome de lobo.

informal

"Ter mais olhos que barriga"

— To have eyes bigger than one's stomach.

Você pediu muita comida, tem mais olhos que barriga.

colloquial

"Estar com a corda no pescoço"

— In some contexts of poverty, used to describe desperate hunger/need.

A família estava com a corda no pescoço e passava fome.

informal

"Fome de poder"

— Hunger for power (ambition).

O político tem uma fome de poder insaciável.

neutral

"Fome de saber"

— Hunger for knowledge.

A criança demonstrava uma grande fome de saber.

literary

"Estar com fome de bola"

— To be eager to play soccer (or perform in a sport).

O atacante voltou da lesão com fome de bola.

sport slang

"Cachorro com fome não brinca"

— A hungry dog doesn't play (someone in need won't focus on fun).

Deixe-o comer primeiro; cachorro com fome não brinca.

proverb

Easily Confused

estar com fome vs fumo

Similar spelling.

'Fome' is hunger; 'fumo' is smoke or tobacco.

O fumo da chaminé vs A fome do menino.

estar com fome vs fama

Similar spelling.

'Fome' is hunger; 'fama' is fame.

Ele tem fama de rico vs Ele tem fome de pão.

estar com fome vs fêmea

Phonetic similarity for beginners.

'Fome' is hunger; 'fêmea' is female (animal).

A fêmea do leão vs A fome do leão.

estar com fome vs forma

Similar spelling.

'Fome' is hunger; 'forma' is shape or way.

Uma forma de bolo vs Uma fome de bolo (rarely used).

estar com fome vs fonte

Starts with 'fo-'.

'Fome' is hunger; 'fonte' is source or fountain.

A fonte de água vs A fome de água (incorrect).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] estar com fome.

Eu estou com fome.

[Subject] não estar com fome.

Ele não está com fome.

[Subject] estar com muita fome.

Nós estamos com muita fome.

[Subject] estava com fome [Time].

Eu estava com fome ontem.

Se [Subject] estiver com fome, [Action].

Se você estiver com fome, coma.

[Subject] estar morrendo de fome.

Estou morrendo de fome.

Apesar de estar com fome, [Contrast].

Apesar de estar com fome, não comi.

O fato de [Subject] estar com fome [Consequence].

O fato de estarem com fome causou a briga.

Word Family

Nouns

fome (hunger)

fominha (little hunger)

faminto (hungry person)

esfomeado (starving person)

Verbs

esfomear (to starve someone)

passar fome (to go hungry)

Adjectives

faminto (hungry)

esfomeado (starving)

fomeado (rare)

apetite

comida

refeição

nutrição

jejum

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

Eu sou fome. → Eu estou com fome.
You cannot 'be' the noun hunger; you are 'with' it in a temporary state.
Estou muito fome. → Estou com muita fome.
You need the preposition 'com' and the feminine adjective 'muita'.
Eu estou faminto (in casual settings). → Eu estou com muita fome.
'Faminto' is too formal/dramatic for everyday hunger.
Eu tenho muito fome. → Eu tenho muita fome.
Even with 'ter', 'fome' remains feminine, requiring 'muita'.
Estou com fome de água. → Estou com sede.
'Fome' is only for food. For water, use 'sede'.

Tips

Verb Choice

Always use 'estar' because hunger is temporary. Using 'ser' makes it sound like a permanent trait.

Intensifiers

Use 'muita' (feminine) for 'very'. Avoid 'muito' as it is the masculine form.

Nasal 'Com'

The 'm' in 'com' isn't fully pronounced; it just nasalizes the 'o'. Practice saying 'co' through your nose.

Hospitality

If someone asks if you are 'com fome', they are likely offering to cook for you. Be prepared for food!

The Munchies

In Brazil, 'larica' is the slang word for a sudden, intense hunger. Use it with close friends.

Negatives

Place 'não' directly before 'estou': 'Eu não estou com fome'.

Fast Speech

In fast speech, 'Estou com' sounds like 'Stô-kõ'. Listen for the 'kõ' sound to identify hunger.

Hungry as a Lion

Use 'fome de leão' to sound more like a native speaker when you are very hungry.

Agreement

Any adjective describing 'fome' must be feminine: 'fome constante', 'fome terrível'.

Politeness

If you are full, say 'Não estou com fome, obrigado(a)' to politely decline more food.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'FOME' as 'FOod ME'. When you are 'com fome', you are asking for 'food for me'.

Visual Association

Imagine a person carrying a giant, heavy bag labeled 'FOME'. They are 'with' it, and it makes them want to eat.

Word Web

Comida Restaurante Almoço Jantar Lanche Cozinha Prato Talher

Challenge

Try to use 'estar com fome' in three different tenses today: present, past, and future.

Word Origin

From Latin 'stare' (to stand/to be) + 'cum' (with) + 'fames' (hunger).

Original meaning: To be in the state of having hunger.

Romance (Latin roots).

Cultural Context

While 'estar com fome' is a common daily phrase, be mindful that 'passar fome' (starvation) is a serious issue. Use the former for your personal appetite and the latter for social discussions.

English speakers often find the 'with hunger' structure strange, as they are used to 'being' the adjective. It's similar to the French 'avoir faim'.

Fome Zero (Brazilian government program) Quarto de Despejo (book by Carolina Maria de Jesus about hunger) O Bicho (poem by Manuel Bandeira about a man looking for food)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home

Mãe, tô com fome.
O que tem pra comer?
Já tá pronto?
Tô morrendo de fome.

At a restaurant

Estamos com pressa e com fome.
O prato é grande?
Pode trazer o pão?
Estou com muita fome.

With friends

Bateu a fome em vocês?
Vamos pedir pizza?
Tô com uma larica.
Conheço um lugar bom.

At work

Vamos almoçar? Tô com fome.
A reunião foi longa, tô com fome.
Vou lanchar pra enganar a fome.
Alguém está com fome?

Traveling

Onde posso comer? Tô com fome.
Tem algo aberto agora?
Estou com fome de comida local.
Quero matar a fome.

Conversation Starters

"Você está com fome agora ou prefere esperar um pouco?"

"Qual é a primeira coisa que você come quando está com muita fome?"

"Você costuma ficar com fome tarde da noite?"

"O que você faz para enganar a fome antes do jantar?"

"Você já sentiu uma fome de leão depois de um dia longo?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma vez que você estava com tanta fome que comeu algo que normalmente não gosta.

Como você se sente quando está com fome e não pode comer imediatamente?

Escreva sobre a sua comida favorita para matar a fome no inverno.

Você acha que as pessoas ficam mais irritadas quando estão com fome?

Descreva o cheiro de uma comida que sempre te deixa com fome.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically yes, but it sounds like you are saying 'I am a starving person' as a permanent identity. It is much better to say 'Estou com fome' for the feeling.

Yes, it is correct and common in Portugal and in literature, but 'estar com fome' is more frequent in Brazilian daily life.

Because 'fome' is a feminine noun (a fome). Adjectives like 'muita' must agree with the gender of the noun they modify.

The most common way is 'Estou morrendo de fome' (I'm dying of hunger) or 'Estou com uma fome de leão'.

'Fome' is the physical need to eat, while 'apetite' is the psychological desire for food. You can have an appetite for cake even if you aren't physically hungry.

Yes! 'O cachorro está com fome' is perfectly correct.

It is informal. Use 'estou com fome' in more neutral or formal settings, but 'tô' is fine with friends and family.

Simply ask 'Você está com fome?' or 'O senhor/A senhora está com fome?'

It literally means 'to kill the hunger', which is a common way to say 'to satisfy one's hunger' or 'to have a snack'.

No. For thirst, you must use 'sede': 'estar com sede'.