Definition
饿 (è) is the everyday word for 'hungry' — the one you use in normal conversation. 饥饿 (jī è) is stronger, closer to 'starving', and more formal/literary; you'd see it in writing or when emphasizing extreme hunger.
adjective
hungry
Easily confused
- 哦òlook-alikeoh (expressing understanding, realization, or mild surprise)
- 恶èsound-alikeevil, wicked
- 馋chánlook-alike(adjective) gluttonous, greedy for food; fond of eating
- 鹅ésound-alikegoose
Examples
- 饿。Wǒ yǒudiǎn è.I'm a bit hungry.
- 饿？Nǐ è le ma?Are you hungry?
- 饿。Tā hǎoxiàng hěn è.He seems very hungry.
Browse more HSK 3 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.