सुबह से भूखा हूँ

Using this phrase is very straightforward. If you are male, say hoon. If you are female, say hoon but ensure the adjective bhookha changes to bhookhi. The structure is Subah se (Since morning) + bhookha/bhookhi (hungry) + hoon (am). It works perfectly at the start of a sentence or as a standalone complaint. Just add a little dramatic sigh for effect!

You can use this when you finally reach a restaurant after a long day. It is great for telling your mom or spouse why you're grumpy. Use it when a meeting runs late and your stomach is growling loudly. It is also perfect for texting a friend who is running late for a dinner date. It signals that they need to hurry up or bring snacks.

Don't use this if you just had a snack an hour ago. Hindi speakers value honesty about food! Avoid using it in very formal business presentations unless you're making a joke. It might sound a bit too desperate or personal in a high-stakes professional setting. Also, don't use it if you're actually fasting for religious reasons; there are specific words for that.

Food is the heart of Indian culture. Saying you haven't eaten since morning usually triggers an immediate 'rescue mission' from friends or family. In India, hospitality is sacred. If you tell an Indian host Subah se bhookha hoon, expect your plate to be piled high with food instantly. It’s a phrase that taps into the deep cultural desire to feed others.

You can swap Subah (morning) for other times. Try Kal se (since yesterday) if you're feeling extra dramatic. You can also add Bahut (very) to say Main bahut bhookha hoon. If you want to sound more casual with friends, just say Bhookh lagi hai (I'm feeling hungry). But for that 'starving' feeling, the 'since morning' version is the gold standard.