If you’re learning Vietnamese or planning a trip to Vietnam, one of the most useful expressions to know is how to say I’m hungry in Vietnamese. Hunger is a basic human need, but the way it’s expressed can vary widely depending on the tone, setting, and relationship between speakers. In this guide, Jellyfish will walk you through various natural ways to express hunger in Vietnamese.
1. The basic phrase
The most direct way to say “I’m hungry” in Vietnamese is: Tôi đói.
This is grammatically correct and suitable for neutral or semi-formal settings.
Examples:
- Tôi đói rồi. – I’m already hungry.
- Tôi đói quá! – I’m really hungry!
2. Common and casual variations
When talking to friends, siblings, or classmates, native speakers often express hunger in a more relaxed and emotional way. Below are some of the most natural casual phrases:
| Phrase | Meaning | Usage Context |
| Đói quá! | I’m so hungry! | Common, informal |
| Đói muốn xỉu! | So hungry I might faint! | Slang, expressive |
| Bụng đói meo rồi | My stomach is meowing | Humorous, playful |
3. Polite and formal ways
If you’re in a formal situation or talking to someone older (like a teacher, coworker, or host), you’ll want to sound more respectful. Here’s how to say “I’m hungry” in Vietnamese in a polite and appropriate way:
| Phrase | Meaning | Usage Context |
| Em cảm thấy hơi đói. | I feel a little hungry | Polite and soft tone |
| Dạ, em hơi đói ạ. | Yes, I’m a bit hungry | Very respectful tone |
4. Regional expressions
Just like English, how to say I’m hungry in Vietnamese can vary depending on the region. Knowing these variations can help you understand locals better, especially in daily life.
| Region | Expression | Meaning/Note |
| North | Tôi đang đói lắm! | I’m really hungry |
| South | Đói bụng ghê luôn! | Starving (very casual) |
| South | Đói gần chết luôn á! | I’m starving to death! (slang) |
5. What to say next
Once you’ve said I’m hungry in Vietnamese, the conversation usually continues with suggestions to eat or offer food. Here are natural follow-up phrases you can use:
| Phrase | Meaning |
| Đi ăn nha? | Shall we go eat? |
| Mình đi ăn gì đó đi. | Let’s go grab something to eat. |
| Muốn ăn gì không? | Do you want to eat something? |
| Anh nấu gì cho em ăn nhé? | I’ll cook something for you, okay? |
| Đi ăn phở không? | Want to go eat phở? |
| Có quán mới mở gần đây nè! | There’s a new restaurant nearby! |
6. Related vocabulary
| Vietnamese | English Meaning |
| đói | hungry |
| no | full |
| ăn | to eat |
| bữa ăn | meal |
| bụng | stomach |
| thèm ăn | to crave food |
| đói bụng | hunger (noun) |
>>> See more: Explore more: How to say good job in Vietnamese
Now that you’ve learned how to say I’m hungry in Vietnamese across a wide range of settings, you’re ready to use it naturally in real-life conversations. Whether you’re with friends, in a classroom, or visiting family in Vietnam, you can now express your hunger politely, casually, or humorously.
Learn Vietnamese Naturally with Jellyfish
At Jellyfish Education, we help students learn Vietnamese the way it’s actually spoken in daily life, not just what’s in the textbook.
- Practice casual and polite phrases with real-life roleplay
- Learn with native speakers to build fluency and confidence
- Master vocabulary for food, feelings, and more
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