Translation guide
Expressing the process of becoming hungry in Japanese, from casual to polite, and common natural phrases.
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.
もうすぐお腹が空くと思う。
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.
昼を抜いたから、もうお腹が減った。
I skipped lunch, so I'm already hungry.
Formal or written expression for 'become hungry'. Not common in everyday conversation.
長時間の会議で空腹になった。
I became hungry during the long meeting.
To express that one is currently starting to feel hungry.
The most natural way to say 'I'm getting hungry' right now. Uses 〜てきた to indicate a change in state.
あ、お腹が空いてきた。
Oh, I'm getting hungry.
そろそろお腹が空いてきたね。
I'm starting to get hungry, aren't you?
Casual version of 'I'm getting hungry'. More common among men or in informal settings.
腹減ってきたな。
Man, I'm getting 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.
これだけ食べて、お腹が空く？
Will you get hungry after eating only this?
Asks if it seems like someone will get hungry. Uses 〜そう for conjecture.
夕方までにお腹が空きそう？
Do you think you'll get hungry by evening?
To talk about what happens or what one does when they get hungry.
Standard conditional form meaning 'when/if I get hungry'. Used for habitual or specific situations.
お腹が空いたら、冷蔵庫にあるものを食べて。
If you get hungry, eat whatever is in the fridge.
お腹が空いたらすぐに機嫌が悪くなる。
He gets grumpy as soon as he gets hungry.
Conditional for natural consequences or habitual results. Slightly more formal or written than 〜たら.
お腹が空くと、集中できなくなる。
When I get hungry, I can't concentrate.
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'.
運動するとお腹が空く。
Exercising makes you hungry.
この匂いでお腹が空いてきた。
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.
焼き肉の匂いが食欲をそそる。
The smell of grilled meat makes me 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.
いつも午後3時ごろにお腹が空く。
I always get hungry around 3 p.m.
お腹が空く前に食べよう。
Let's eat before we get hungry.