🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "I'm hungry" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
お腹が空いた
"I'm hungry" in Japanese · say it like oh-nah-kah gah soo-ee-tah

The most natural way to say "I'm hungry" in Japanese is お腹が空いた. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

お腹が減った
casual way to express hunger
お腹がすいた
another casual variant, slightly softer

When to use it

Use this phrase when you feel hungry and want to express it to someone. It can be used in casual conversations with friends or family. You can also use it when discussing meal plans or asking if it's time to eat.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "I'm hungry" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapaneseEnglish
お腹が空いたから、何か食べよう。I'm hungry, so let's eat something.
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse this phrase with 'お腹が痛い' (I have a stomachache), which means something different.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear お腹が空いた, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

How do I say 'I'm very hungry'?

You can say 'すごくお腹が空いた' for emphasis.

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