Translation guide
The state of extreme hunger or death from lack of food. In Japanese, different words are used for hunger, famine, and the act of starving. The most common equivalent is 飢餓 (kiga), but learners should be aware of context-specific terms.
Referring to widespread lack of food, famine, or the state of starving.
The standard term for starvation or famine. Used in formal, written, and news contexts.
多くの国で飢餓が問題になっている。
Starvation is a problem in many countries.
Millions died from starvation.
Specifically means death from starvation. Used when the outcome is death.
He starved to death.
Hunger or starvation, often used in literary or emotional contexts. Can also mean a craving.
people suffering from starvation
Expressing the action of starving or causing to starve.
Intransitive verb meaning to starve or be hungry. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
The people are starving.
To starve to death. A compound verb using 餓死 (death from starvation) + する.
He starved to death.
Colloquial or emotive way to say 'starve to death'. More vivid than 餓死する.
At this rate, we'll starve to death.
Referring to starvation used as a means of killing or dying.
Referring to a diet that severely restricts food intake, often for weight loss.
飢餓 (kiga) is the general term for starvation/famine. 飢え (ue) is more literary and can also mean a strong craving. 餓死 (gashi) specifically means death by starvation. Use 飢餓 for most contexts, 餓死 when death is the focus.
Starvation is a problem worldwide.
His hunger was a thirst for knowledge.
Send food to prevent starvation deaths.
The katakana word スターベーション is rarely used and may not be understood. Stick to native Japanese terms like 飢餓 or 餓死.
Starvation is a serious issue in some regions.
He died of starvation.
The prisoners were starved.
彼女は絶食で体重を減らそうとした。
She tried to lose weight by fasting.