Spanish · Food & Drink
"I'm hungry" in Spanish: tengo hambre
tengo hambre
I'm hungry is tengo hambre (TEN-go AHM-breh). Spanish uses tener, not estar, for hunger. Say tengo mucha hambre when you are really hungry. Hambre is feminine, but the set phrase stays tengo hambre.
How to pronounce tengo hambre: audio and sound guideAfter a long walk
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How to pronounce tengo hambre
Say it
TEN-go AHM-breh
/ˈten.ɡo ˈam.bɾe/
TEN-go AHM-breh. Stress TEN and AHM. The h in hambre is silent. Keep tengo clear before hambre.
"I'm hungry" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| tengo hambre | I'm hungry Default everyday phrase. | Default everyday phrase. |
| tengo mucha hambre | I'm very hungry Stronger intensity. | Stronger intensity. |
| tenemos hambre | we're hungry Plural for a group. | Plural for a group. |
| ¿Tienes hambre? | Are you hungry? Question to a friend (tú). | Question to a friend (tú). |
How to use tengo hambre in real life
- 1After a long walk
Tengo hambre. ¿Comemos ya?
I'm hungry. Shall we eat now?
Pairs tengo hambre with a plan.
- 2Late study night
Tengo mucha hambre de verdad.
I'm really very hungry.
Mucha intensifies tengo hambre.
- 3With kids
Los niños tienen hambre.
The kids are hungry.
Tener hambre conjugates; hambre stays.
Mistakes English speakers make with tengo hambre
Incorrect: Estoy hambre.
Correct: Tengo hambre.
Hunger uses tener. Say tengo hambre, not estoy hambre.
Incorrect: Tengo hambre masculino change.
Correct: Tengo hambre.
Do not change hambre for your gender. Everyone says tengo hambre.
Good to know
Good to knowTengo hambre is fine in casual and polite talk across Latin America. Before a big midday meal tengo hambre sounds completely normal. If you only want a snack, you can still say tengo hambre and then ask for something light.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Deciding when to stop for food
ChatPal
Yo ya tengo hambre.
I'm already hungry.
You
También tengo hambre.
I'm hungry too.
ChatPal
Hay una fonda cerca.
There's a small eatery nearby.
You
Vamos entonces.
Let's go then.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"I'm hungry" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "I'm hungry" in Spanish
Why not estoy hambre?
Spanish links hunger with tener. Tengo hambre is the set phrase; estar is wrong here.
Does hambre change for women?
No. Women and men both say tengo hambre. Hambre itself is feminine as a noun.
How do I say "starving" casually?
Tengo mucha hambre, or estoy muerto/a de hambre in playful speech.
How do I ask someone else?
¿Tienes hambre? with friends. ¿Tiene hambre? in formal usted talk.
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