Chinese phrases
How to say I’m hungry in Chinese
I’m hungry in Chinese is 我饿了 (wǒ è le). The 了 marks a change: you were not hungry before, and now you are.
我饿了
I’m hungry
饿 is è, a single falling tone, like a short “uh!”
Ways to say I’m hungry
我饿了
EverydayI’m hungry
The normal way, with anyone.
我有点饿
EverydayI’m a bit hungry
A soft hint that you would like to eat soon.
肚子饿了
Everydaymy stomach is hungry
Common in speech, especially between parents and children. 我肚子饿了 is also fine.
饿死了
With friendsI’m starving
Literally “hungry to death”. A normal exaggeration with friends and family, often after a long day.
好饿
Textingso hungry
In chats, often as 好饿啊, with a photo of food.
Asking, and saying you’re full or thirsty
你饿不饿
are you hungry?
A friendly question before you suggest food. 你饿了吗 means the same.
我不饿
I’m not hungry
The answer when you don’t want to eat now.
我吃饱了
I’m full
At the end of a meal, and the polite way to refuse more food from a host.
我渴了
I’m thirsty
Built the same way as 我饿了.
Common mistakes
Saying 我是饿
English says “I am hungry”, but Chinese does not use 是 before 饿. Say 我饿了 or 我很饿.
Saying 我满了 for “I’m full”
满 is for a cup, a bus or a room. A person who has eaten enough says 我吃饱了: “I have eaten until full.”
Leaving out 了
A bare 我饿 sounds unfinished. Add 了 for “I’m hungry now”, or 很 for “I’m very hungry”: 我很饿.
After class
我饿了，我们去吃饭吧？
Leon: I’m hungry. Shall we go and eat?
好啊，我也饿死了。
Qiqi: Sure, I’m starving too.
你想吃什么？
Leon: What do you feel like?
吃火锅怎么样？
Qiqi: How about hotpot?
