Translation guide
The state of extreme hunger or death from lack of food. In Japanese, different words are used for hunger, famine, and the act of starving. The most common equivalent is 飢餓 (kiga), but learners should be aware of context-specific terms.
Referring to widespread lack of food, famine, or the state of starving.
The standard term for starvation or famine. Used in formal, written, and news contexts.
Starvation is a problem in many countries.
飢餓で何百万人もが亡くなった。
Millions died from starvation.
Specifically means death from starvation. Used when the outcome is death.
彼は餓死した。
He starved to death.
Hunger or starvation, often used in literary or emotional contexts. Can also mean a craving.
飢えに苦しむ人々
people suffering from starvation
Expressing the action of starving or causing to starve.
Intransitive verb meaning to starve or be hungry. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
人々は飢えている。
The people are starving.
To starve to death. A compound verb using 餓死 (death from starvation) + する.
彼は餓死した。
He starved to death.
Colloquial or emotive way to say 'starve to death'. More vivid than 餓死する.
このままでは飢え死にしてしまう。
At this rate, we'll starve to death.
Referring to starvation used as a means of killing or dying.
Death by starvation. Often used in news or historical contexts.
餓死は避けられるべきだ。
Starvation deaths should be preventable.
Formal phrase: 'death due to starvation'. Used in reports or statistics.
飢餓による死亡が増加している。
Deaths from starvation are increasing.
Referring to a diet that severely restricts food intake, often for weight loss.
Literally 'starvation diet'. A common term for crash diets that involve extreme calorie restriction.
飢餓ダイエットは健康に悪い。
Starvation diets are bad for your health.
Fasting or abstaining from food. Can be voluntary or forced. Not always negative.
彼女は絶食で体重を減らそうとした。
She tried to lose weight by fasting.
飢餓 (kiga) is the general term for starvation/famine. 飢え (ue) is more literary and can also mean a strong craving. 餓死 (gashi) specifically means death by starvation. Use 飢餓 for most contexts, 餓死 when death is the focus.
飢餓は世界中で問題だ。
Starvation is a problem worldwide.
彼の飢えは知識への渇望だった。
His hunger was a thirst for knowledge.
餓死を防ぐために食料を送る。
Send food to prevent starvation deaths.
The katakana word スターベーション is rarely used and may not be understood. Stick to native Japanese terms like 飢餓 or 餓死.
飢餓は一部の地域で深刻な問題です。
Starvation is a serious issue in some regions.
彼は餓死した。
He died of starvation.
囚人たちは飢えさせられた。
The prisoners were starved.