मुझे भूख लगी है

You can use this phrase exactly as it is. It works for a tiny snack craving or a massive feast. If you are starving, just add bahut before bhook. Say Mujhe bahut bhook lagi hai. It sounds natural and urgent. Don't worry about gender here; bhook is feminine, so it stays lagi whether you are a man or a woman. It is one of the easiest sentences to master early on.

Use it when the stomach growls. Use it at a restaurant when the waiter takes too long. Tell your host at a dinner party if they ask how you are. It is perfect for texting a roommate to see what's for dinner. You can even use it metaphorically for a 'hunger' for success, though that's more advanced. Mostly, use it when you want food immediately.

Avoid saying this in the middle of a very formal speech. It might seem a bit too personal or distracting. Don't say it if you are just bored and want to munch. In India, people take food seriously. If you say you are hungry, someone will likely try to feed you a three-course meal. Only say it if you are actually ready to eat!

In Indian culture, feeding guests is a sacred duty. There is a saying, Atithi Devo Bhava, meaning 'The guest is God'. If you tell an Indian mother Mujhe bhook lagi hai, prepare for a mountain of parathas. Food is the universal love language in Hindi-speaking households. Sharing a meal is how bonds are built and maintained. It is more than just calories; it is a social event.

Kids often say Mummy, bhook lagi! for a shorter version. If you want to ask someone else, say Kya tumhe bhook lagi hai?. In slang, friends might say Pet mein chuhe kood rahe hain. This literally means 'mice are jumping in my stomach'. It is a funny way to say you are absolutely famished. Stick to the standard version first, then try the mice one for a laugh.