Translation guide
The physical sensation of needing food, or a strong desire for something. Japanese distinguishes between the physical feeling of hunger, the state of famine, and metaphorical craving.
Expressing that you feel hungry or have an empty stomach.
Expressing a powerful longing for something, often abstract.
Referring to a large-scale lack of food.
The standard term for 'famine.' Used in historical or news contexts.
空腹 is a noun meaning 'empty stomach' or 'hunger' as a state, while お腹が空いた is a phrase meaning 'I'm hungry.' Use 空腹 in more formal or written descriptions, and お腹が空いた in everyday conversation.
English 'hunger' is often used metaphorically (e.g., 'hunger for success'). In Japanese, 空腹 only refers to physical hunger. For metaphorical uses, choose 渇望 or 飢え depending on intensity.
The most direct and common noun for the physical sensation of hunger. Often used with 感じる or in the phrase 空腹を満たす (satisfy one's hunger).
The most natural everyday expression for 'I'm hungry.' Literally 'stomach has become empty.'
お腹が空いたね。何か食べよう。
I'm hungry. Let's eat something.
A more casual, masculine way to say 'I'm hungry.' Literally 'stomach has decreased.' Common in informal speech.
腹が減ったな。ラーメンでも食いに行くか。
I'm hungry. Wanna go grab some ramen?
Refers to severe hunger or starvation, not everyday appetite. Used in contexts of famine or extreme deprivation.
飢えに苦しむ人々
people suffering from hunger
A strong, often formal word for 'craving' or 'thirst' for something like knowledge, power, or love. Used in written and formal contexts.
知識への渇望
a hunger for knowledge
Can be used metaphorically for a deep, almost desperate craving, similar to 'hunger for' in English. Often combined with ～に飢える.
愛情に飢えている。
I'm hungry for affection.
A verb phrase meaning 'to hunger for/starve for something.' Used with nouns like 愛情 (affection), 知識 (knowledge), etc.
彼は権力に飢えている。
He is hungry for power.
A general term for 'desire' or 'urge,' often used in psychological contexts. Less intense than 渇望.
食欲は基本的な欲求だ。
Hunger is a basic desire.
その国は深刻な飢饉に直面している。
The country is facing a severe famine.
A formal term for 'starvation' or 'hunger' on a societal level. Often used in compound words like 飢餓状態 (state of starvation).
飢餓で多くの人が亡くなった。
Many people died of hunger.