Hungry means feeling a strong need for food.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes the feeling of needing food.
- A basic physiological need.
- Commonly used in daily life.
Overview
“饥饿”是一个非常基础和常用的中文词汇，用来描述人或动物因为缺乏食物而产生的生理感受。它直接表达了身体对能量和营养的需求。在日常生活中，这个词被广泛使用，无论是描述个人的感受，还是作为一种社会现象来讨论。
“饥饿”通常用作形容词，直接描述人或动物的状态。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合，例如“感到饥饿”、“非常饥饿”、“饥饿感”等。在更广泛的语境下，“饥饿”也可以被引申，用来形容资源、信息或机会的匮乏，但这种用法相对更高级。
最常见的语境是描述个人或他人的生理需求，比如“我饿了，想吃点东西”或“孩子们放学回家，都饿了”。它也常用于描述动物的觅食行为，如“饥饿的狼在森林里寻找猎物”。此外，在讨论贫困、饥荒等社会问题时，“饥饿”也是一个核心词汇，例如“全球饥饿问题”。
与“饥饿”相似的词有“饿”。“饿”比“饥饿”更口语化，使用频率更高，通常直接表示“wanting food”的感觉。例如，“我饿了”比“我饥饿了”更自然。而“饥饿”则更书面化一些，也更能体现一种程度较深的、生理上的需求或状态，有时也带有更强的社会或象征意义，如“精神饥饿”。
另一个近义词是“空腹”。“空腹”强调的是胃里没有食物的状态，不一定伴随强烈的饥饿感，侧重于生理状态而非感受。例如，“体检前需要空腹”。
“饥馑”则是一个更高级的词，特指因灾荒等原因造成的普遍性、大规模的粮食短缺和人民挨饿的状况，通常用于描述社会或历史事件，如“大饥馑”。
Examples
我太饿了，想立刻吃点东西。
everydayI'm so hungry, I want to eat something right away.
由于连续干旱，该地区爆发了严重的饥饿。
news/social issuesDue to continuous drought, a severe famine broke out in the region.
小猫饿得喵喵叫。
informalThe kitten meowed out of hunger.
长期营养不良会导致严重的健康问题，甚至危及生命。
health/academicLong-term malnutrition can lead to serious health problems and even endanger life.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
我饿了
I'm hungry.
忍饥挨饿
to endure hunger
饥寒交迫
stricken by hunger and cold
Often Confused With
'饿' is the more common, colloquial term for 'hungry'. '饥饿' (jī'è) is slightly more formal and can imply a more intense or prolonged state of hunger.
'空腹' means 'having an empty stomach', focusing on the physical state rather than the feeling of hunger. It's often used in contexts like medical check-ups before eating.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
‘饥饿’ is a fundamental word suitable for everyday conversation and basic writing. It can be used to describe personal feelings or broader societal issues like famine. While ‘饿’ is more common in casual speech, ‘饥饿’ is perfectly acceptable in most contexts and adds a slightly more formal tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse ‘饥饿’ in very casual settings where ‘饿’ would be more natural. Also, confusing the intensity: ‘饥饿’ can imply a more severe state than just feeling a little peckish.
Tips
Expressing Hunger Simply
Use '饿' (è) for everyday situations like '我饿了' (Wǒ è le - I'm hungry). '饥饿' (jī'è) is also correct but slightly more formal.
Avoid Overuse in Formal Writing
While '饥饿' is a valid word, consider synonyms or more descriptive phrases in very formal academic or literary contexts if 'hunger' is not the central theme.
Cultural Significance of Food
In many cultures, including Chinese culture, sharing food is important. Expressing hunger can be seen as a direct need, and fulfilling it is often a social act.
Word Origin
The character 饥 (jī) relates to hunger and famine. The character 饿 (è) also means hungry or starvation. Together, they form a strong and direct term for the state of being hungry.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, food is central to social gatherings and family life. While expressing hunger is direct, the act of providing food for someone who is hungry is often seen as an act of care and hospitality.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Jī' (基) as the base need, and 'è' (饿) as the feeling. Basic need leads to the feeling of hunger.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“饿”是更口语化、更常用的词，直接表示想吃东西的感觉。而“饥饿”稍微书面化一些，可以表示程度更深的饥饿感，或者作为一种状态来描述，有时也用于更正式的语境或引申义。
当你身体需要能量但长时间没有进食时，就会感到饥饿。这是身体发出的需要补充营养的信号。
是的，有时“饥饿”可以被引申用来形容对某事物（如知识、信息、关注等）的强烈渴望或匮乏，但这是一种比喻用法，不是它的基本意思。
本身“饥饿”描述的是一种生理状态，不一定是负面的。但如果指代的是饥荒或长期食物不足，则带有强烈的负面含义，表示一种困苦的境况。
Test Yourself
长时间徒步后，我感到非常______。
长时间活动消耗能量，需要补充食物，因此感到饥饿。
Which sentence best describes a state of extreme hunger?
‘饥饿难耐’ conveys a stronger, more intense feeling of hunger compared to the other options.
用“孩子”和“饥饿”造句。
这是一个完整且符合逻辑的句子，描述了孩子们放学后的状态。
Score: /3
Summary
Hungry means feeling a strong need for food.
- Describes the feeling of needing food.
- A basic physiological need.
- Commonly used in daily life.
Expressing Hunger Simply
Use '饿' (è) for everyday situations like '我饿了' (Wǒ è le - I'm hungry). '饥饿' (jī'è) is also correct but slightly more formal.
Avoid Overuse in Formal Writing
While '饥饿' is a valid word, consider synonyms or more descriptive phrases in very formal academic or literary contexts if 'hunger' is not the central theme.
Cultural Significance of Food
In many cultures, including Chinese culture, sharing food is important. Expressing hunger can be seen as a direct need, and fulfilling it is often a social act.
Examples
4 of 4我太饿了，想立刻吃点东西。
I'm so hungry, I want to eat something right away.
由于连续干旱，该地区爆发了严重的饥饿。
Due to continuous drought, a severe famine broke out in the region.
小猫饿得喵喵叫。
The kitten meowed out of hunger.
长期营养不良会导致严重的健康问题，甚至危及生命。
Long-term malnutrition can lead to serious health problems and even endanger life.
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This Word in Other Languages
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