How do you say Hunger in German?

Whether it’s a growling stomach, a craving for pizza, or a crisis in a developing country - Germans use the same word: Hunger. It’s primal, physical, and deeply human. And yes, it’s the same word in English - just with a sharper German bite.

The noun Hunger means hunger or extreme appetite - ranging from a casual “I’m hungry” to the global tragedy of famine. It’s a core human experience and one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German, so you’ll encounter it early and often.

It’s a masculine noun, so we say der Hunger.

Pronunciation

Hunger is pronounced [ˈhʊŋɐ], with a short u as in "put." The ng is one sound, as in "singer," with no separate g; the final -er is commonly a reduced vowel. It sounds slightly more urgent and growly than the English equivalent. Appropriate.

Example sentences:

• Ich habe großen Hunger.I’m really hungry.
• Der Hunger in der Region nimmt zu.Hunger in the region is increasing.

Nuance and usage tips

You’ll most often see Hunger paired with haben (to have):

• Ich habe Hunger. - “I’m hungry.”
• Hast du Hunger? - “Are you hungry?”

Ich habe Hunger and Ich bin hungrig both mean "I'm hungry" and are natural in everyday German. Hunger haben is a useful common phrase, not a rule against hungrig.

And Hunger can also be metaphorical, expressing deep desire:

• Hunger nach Liebe - hunger for love
• Hunger nach Erfolg - hunger for success

An opposite? Of course: Sättigung (feminine, die Sättigung), meaning satiation or fullness - though that’s more scientific or nutritional. In speech, Germans are more likely to say Ich bin satt (“I’m full”).