Chinese · Adjectives
饿
è
Hungry
Beginneradjective
Definition
Wanting or needing food.
Example
我饿了，我们吃饭吧。
I am hungry, let's eat.
Etymology
'饿' (è) has roots in historical depictions of starvation and need for sustenance. The character has evolved to describe hunger broadly, from physical to metaphorical contexts.
How & Where It’s Used
'饿' (è) is used mainly in informal spoken language and can express both immediate hunger and figurative lack. It is widely recognized across regions in China, often paired with specific food items.