How to Say ‘I am hungry’ in French
J'ai faim
zhay ay fah(n)
[zhay ay fah(n)]
💬 Usage Tip: French uses [avoir] here: literally [I have hunger], not [I am hungry]. The same pattern works with [J'ai soif] and [J'ai chaud].
Phrase Breakdown
J'
[zhay]
I
Shortened form of 'je' before a vowel.
J'ai faim après le voyage.
I am hungry after the trip.
ai
[ay]
have
Form of the verb 'avoir' used with 'I.'
J'ai faim ce soir.
I am hungry tonight.
faim
[fah(n)]
hunger
French uses 'have hunger' to mean 'be hungry.'
J'ai faim maintenant.
I am hungry now.
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