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March 24, 2026
饥饿(飢餓)jī’è(ji1e4)
饥饿 (jī è) refers to the state of extreme hunger, often associated with a lack of food that can lead to starvation or famine. It can be used in both physical contexts, such as needing food, and metaphorical contexts, such as a 'hunger' for knowledge or success.
Frequency#6246DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 饥饿 is significant in Chinese history, particularly during events like the Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961), which has had lasting effects on societal attitudes toward food security and scarcity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant figure (饥) with a gaping mouth that looks like it's crying out in desperation for food, while the character 饿 looks like an empty stomach. Together, they represent the powerful feeling of hunger, pronounced 'jī è', as if the figure is saying, 'I am starving!'
Meanings of 饥饿
jī’è(ji1e4)
1hunger
2starvation
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 饥饿
饥饿Simplified
飢餓Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#6246Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 饥饿
Podcast: 饥饿
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AI Study Notes for 饥饿
Quick Contrast
饥饿 (jī è) vs 饿 (è) — use 饥饿 for extreme hunger or starvation, while 饿 is for general hunger.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant figure (饥) with a gaping mouth that looks like it's crying out in desperation for food, while the character 饿 looks like an empty stomach. Together, they represent the powerful feeling of hunger, pronounced 'jī è', as if the figure is saying, 'I am starving!'
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 饥饿 with other terms for hunger, like 空腹 (kōngfù), which specifically means 'empty stomach'. This term is more formal and is commonly used in discussions about food scarcity or health issues.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 饥饿 connects to topics on health and social issues, often used in discussions about poverty and nutrition. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in both formal writing and spoken Mandarin.
Cultural Note
The concept of 饥饿 is significant in Chinese history, particularly during events like the Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961), which has had lasting effects on societal attitudes toward food security and scarcity.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 饥饿 with other words related to hunger, such as hungry (饿, è) alone. For example, saying '我饥饿' instead of '我饿' (I am hungry) is overly formal for casual conversation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 饥饿
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Grammar Patterns of 饥饿
饥饿 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
糖能快速缓解____感，但不能提供持久的营养。
Sugar gives quick relief to hunger but provides no lasting nourishment.
Example Sentences for 饥饿 (8)
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1
糖能快速缓解饥饿感，但不能提供持久的营养。
táng néng kuài sù huǎn jiě jī è gǎn， ， dàn bù néng tí gōng chí jiǔ de yíng。
Sugar gives quick relief to hunger but provides no lasting nourishment.
2
腿瘦得像火柴棍一样的饥饿儿童
tuǐ shòu dé xiàng huǒ chái gùn yī yàng de jī è ér tóng
starving children with legs like matchsticks
3
没挨过饿的人不知道饥饿是什么滋味.
méi āi guò è de rén bù zhī dào jī è shì shí mó zī wèi.
Those who have not known hunger can never imagine how it feels.
4
他握了握那几根被辛苦和饥饿弄得纤瘦的年轻的手指.
tā wò le wò nà jī gēn bèi xīn kǔ hé jī è nòng dé xiān shòu de nián qīng de shǒu zhǐ.
He pressed the work - worn , hunger - worn young fingers, and touched his lips.
5
一只饥饿的瘦猫走到我家门口.
yī zhī jī è de shòu māo zǒu dào wǒ jiā mén kǒu.
A lean and hungry cat came to our door.
6
那群牛由于饥饿而显得瘦骨嶙嶙.
nà qún niú yóu yú jī è ér xiǎn dé shòu gǔ lín lín.
The cattle's bones stuck out with the dint of hunger.
7
追逐现象通常是由饥饿所引起的,并由于饱食而停止.
zhuī zhú xiàn xiàng tōng cháng shì yóu jī è suǒ yǐn qǐ de, , bìng yóu yú bǎo shí ér tíng.
Hunting is usually initiated by hunger and stopped by satiation.
OEA sends hunger - curbing messages to the brain to increase feelings of fullness.
Cultural Notes for 饥饿
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 饥饿 is significant in Chinese history, particularly during events like the Great Chinese Famine (1959-1961), which has had lasting effects on societal attitudes toward food security and scarcity.
Frequently Asked Questions about 饥饿
You can say, '我感到饥饿' (Wǒ gǎndào jī è), which means 'I feel hungry'.
饥饿 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more prevalent in discussions regarding serious issues like famine.
