我饿了。
I'm hungry.
Literalmente: I hungry [change of state].
Use this phrase to signal you are ready to eat with friends, family, or close colleagues.
Em 15 segundos
- The standard way to say 'I'm hungry' in Chinese.
- The 'le' at the end marks a change in feeling.
- Use it casually with friends or family anytime.
Significado
This is the most direct way to tell someone you're hungry and ready to eat. It is simple, clear, and used by everyone from toddlers to grandparents.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Walking past a bakery with a friend
我饿了，我们去买个包子吧？
I'm hungry, shall we go buy a bun?
Texting a partner after a long work day
老婆，我饿了，晚上吃什么？
Honey, I'm hungry, what are we eating tonight?
In a long meeting that has gone over time
不好意思，我有点饿了，我们要不要先吃午饭？
Sorry, I'm a bit hungry, should we have lunch first?
Contexto cultural
In China, food is central to social harmony and care. While Westerners might see hunger as a personal physical state, in China, expressing hunger is often an invitation for a group social activity. The phrase is deeply tied to the traditional greeting 'Have you eaten?' (你吃了吗？).
The 'Le' Magic
Don't forget the 'le' at the end. Without it, '我饿' sounds like a robotic dictionary entry rather than a natural feeling.
The Hunger Invitation
In China, saying you're hungry is often seen as a group invitation. Be prepared for your friends to drop everything to find a meal with you!
Em 15 segundos
- The standard way to say 'I'm hungry' in Chinese.
- The 'le' at the end marks a change in feeling.
- Use it casually with friends or family anytime.
What It Means
我饿了 (wǒ è le) is the standard way to say 'I'm hungry.' The 了 at the end is the secret sauce. It signals a change of state. You weren't hungry before, but now you are. It is a call to action. It says 'Feed me soon!'
How To Use It
Just drop it into conversation when your stomach growls. You can add 好 (hǎo) or 很 (hěn) to show intensity. 我好饿 means 'I'm so hungry.' Use it when you see a food commercial. Use it when you smell garlic frying. It is a very versatile sentence starter.
When To Use It
You can use this with friends, family, or partners. It works perfectly when deciding where to go for lunch. It is great for texting a roommate to see if they want takeout. If you are hiking and need a snack, say this. It is a very honest and human expression.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid saying this abruptly in a very formal business meeting. It might seem a bit too personal or impatient. Don't say it to a host right as you walk in. It might make them feel rushed to serve you. In those cases, wait for them to offer food first. A little patience goes a long way in polite circles.
Cultural Background
Food is the ultimate love language in Chinese culture. Instead of 'How are you?', people often ask 'Have you eaten?'. Saying 我饿了 is a very common social cue. It often triggers a flurry of hospitality. Your Chinese friends might immediately start listing nearby restaurants. It is a phrase that brings people together around a table.
Common Variations
If you are starving, try 我饿死了 (wǒ è sǐ le). This literally means 'I'm hungry to death.' It is very common and dramatic. For a cuter, more childish vibe, some say 肚子饿了 (dù zi è le). This translates to 'My belly is hungry.' It sounds a bit softer and less demanding.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and safe for 90% of situations. Use '我有点饿了' for the remaining 10% of formal situations to avoid sounding blunt.
The 'Le' Magic
Don't forget the 'le' at the end. Without it, '我饿' sounds like a robotic dictionary entry rather than a natural feeling.
The Hunger Invitation
In China, saying you're hungry is often seen as a group invitation. Be prepared for your friends to drop everything to find a meal with you!
Watch the Tone
If you say it too loudly or abruptly to someone older, it might sound like a demand. Add a 'softener' like '有点' (a little bit) to be extra polite.
Exemplos
6我饿了，我们去买个包子吧？
I'm hungry, shall we go buy a bun?
A classic way to suggest a quick snack break.
老婆，我饿了，晚上吃什么？
Honey, I'm hungry, what are we eating tonight?
Very common in daily domestic life.
不好意思，我有点饿了，我们要不要先吃午饭？
Sorry, I'm a bit hungry, should we have lunch first?
Adding 'a little' (有点) makes it more polite in professional settings.
我饿死了！快给我点吃的！
I'm starving to death! Give me something to eat, quick!
Uses the 'to death' hyperbole for dramatic effect.
妈妈，我肚子饿了。
Mom, my tummy is hungry.
Using 'belly' (肚子) makes the request sound more innocent.
我饿了，哪家餐厅比较快？
I'm hungry, which restaurant is faster?
Focuses on the urgency of the hunger.
Teste-se
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence 'I have become hungry.'
我 饿 ___ 。
The particle '了' (le) indicates a change of state, meaning you are now hungry.
How do you say 'I am very hungry'?
我 ___ 饿了。
'好' (hǎo) is often used in casual speech to mean 'very' or 'so'.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of Expressing Hunger
Starving to death
饿死了
Standard daily use
我饿了
Polite inquiry
我有点饿了
Where to use '我饿了'
With friends
Deciding on BBQ
At home
Asking what's for dinner
On a date
Suggesting a dessert spot
At the office
Heading to the canteen
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasThe 了 (le) indicates a change of state. It means you have transitioned from not being hungry to being hungry now.
It sounds incomplete. Adding 了 makes it a natural, complete thought in conversational Chinese.
It is better to add 有点 (yǒu diǎn) to say 我有点饿了. This softens the statement and sounds more professional.
You would say 我不饿 (wǒ bù è). Notice you usually don't need the 了 here unless you just finished eating.
我饿了 is 'I'm hungry,' while 我饿死了 is 'I'm starving' (literally 'hungry to death'). The latter is very common among friends.
In some northern parts of China, people might add an 'r' sound, but 我饿了 is understood perfectly everywhere.
Yes, if the waiter is taking too long, you might tell your friends 我饿了 to express your impatience.
Simply change 'I' to 'You' and add a question particle: 你饿了吗？ (nǐ è le ma?).
Usually, yes. It is a very immediate expression of a physical need.
Both are common. 肚子饿了 (dù zi è le) is slightly more descriptive and can sound a bit more casual or cute.
Frases relacionadas
我饿死了 (I'm starving)
你吃了吗？ (Have you eaten?)
我想吃... (I want to eat...)
我饱了 (I'm full)
去吃饭吧 (Let's go eat)
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