Translation guide
Expressing the process of becoming hungry in Japanese, from casual to polite, and common natural phrases.
I'm getting hungry.
I got hungry.
To say that one is getting hungry or will become hungry.
Standard, natural way to say 'get hungry'. Literally 'stomach becomes empty'. Used in both casual and polite contexts.
I think I'll get hungry soon.
I got hungry after running.
Similar to お腹が空く, but slightly more casual and direct. Often used by men or in informal speech.
Formal or written expression for 'become hungry'. Not common in everyday conversation.
To express that one is currently starting to feel hungry.
To ask someone if they will become hungry or if they are getting hungry.
Casual question to ask if someone will get hungry. Can be made polite by adding ですか.
To talk about what happens or what one does when they get hungry.
To express that something causes hunger.
The intransitive verb can be used with a cause marked by で or と. No direct transitive equivalent for 'make hungry'.
Do not translate 'get hungry' as 空腹を得る or similar. The natural expressions use お腹が空く or お腹が減る.
In Japanese, the subject is often omitted when it's clear from context. 'お腹が空いた' alone can mean 'I'm hungry' without saying 私は.
お腹が空く is the standard, neutral expression. お腹が減る is more casual and direct, often used by men. 腹減った (hara hetta) is very casual slang.
I always get hungry around 3 p.m.
I skipped lunch, so I'm already hungry.
I became hungry during the long meeting.
Oh, I'm getting hungry.
I'm starting to get hungry, aren't you?
Casual version of 'I'm getting hungry'. More common among men or in informal settings.
Man, I'm getting hungry.
Will you get hungry after eating only this?
Asks if it seems like someone will get hungry. Uses 〜そう for conjecture.
Do you think you'll get hungry by evening?
If you get hungry, eat whatever is in the fridge.
He gets grumpy as soon as he gets hungry.
Conditional for natural consequences or habitual results. Slightly more formal or written than 〜たら.
When I get hungry, I can't concentrate.
Exercising makes you hungry.
This smell is making me hungry.
Means 'to stimulate appetite', often used for appetizing smells or sights. Not a direct translation of 'make hungry' but related.
The smell of grilled meat makes me hungry.
お腹が空く前に食べよう。
Let's eat before we get hungry.