Translation guide
The English word "famine" refers to a severe shortage of food affecting a large population. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 飢饉 (ききん), but there are also related terms for starvation and food scarcity. This guide covers how to express the concept naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a large-scale famine affecting a region or country.
The standard word for famine. Can be used in both formal and everyday contexts.
その国は深刻な飢饉に見舞われた。
The country was hit by a severe famine.
飢饉で多くの人が亡くなった。
Many people died due to the famine.
Literally 'food shortage'. A more general term that can refer to less severe shortages, but often used in the context of famine.
干ばつが食糧不足を引き起こした。
The drought caused a food shortage.
Great famine, used for historically significant famines.
天明の大飢饉は江戸時代に起こった。
The Great Tenmei Famine occurred during the Edo period.
Focusing on the state of starving, rather than the event of famine.
Starvation, hunger. Often used in compound words or formal contexts.
飢餓で苦しむ人々を助けたい。
I want to help people suffering from starvation.
飢餓状態が続いている。
The state of starvation continues.
Death from starvation. A specific term for dying of hunger.
多くの人が餓死した。
Many people starved to death.
Using 'famine' metaphorically to describe a severe lack of something non-food.
Attach 不足 to a noun to indicate a shortage. Not specifically famine, but the natural way to express scarcity.
水不足が深刻だ。
The water shortage is serious.
人材不足に悩んでいる。
We are suffering from a talent shortage.
Literally 'famine of ~', used figuratively but less common than 不足.
情報の飢饉に陥っている。
We are in an information famine.
飢饉 (ききん) refers to the event or condition of famine affecting a population, while 飢餓 (きが) refers to the state of starvation or hunger itself. Use 飢饉 for historical or large-scale famines, and 飢餓 when talking about the physical condition of starving.
In English, 'famine' can be used hyperbolically (e.g., 'a famine of good movies'). In Japanese, 飢饉 is almost always literal and serious. For minor shortages, use 不足 (ぶそく) instead.
飢饉が広範囲にわたる苦しみを引き起こした。
The famine caused widespread suffering.
彼らはその地域での飢饉を防ぐために活動している。
They are working to prevent famine in the region.