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Lesson 48 of 238

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Free Spanish CourseLesson 48 of 238

I'm hungry in Spanish

Justin is back at Café Laurel with Michael and Yako. Before ordering anything, he needs to say he's hungry and thirsty.

You'll learn to ask what's available, say something tastes good, and politely turn down more food when you're full.

These lines help at cafés and friends' homes. Yako, meanwhile, is watching the bread.

By the end of this lesson

Say you're hungry or thirsty, ask what's available to eat, and say food tastes good or you're full.

  • Tengo hambreI'm hungry
  • Tengo sedI'm thirsty
  • ¿Tienes hambre?Are you hungry?
  • Está ricoIt's good
  • No, gracias, estoy llenoNo thanks, I'm full
  • ¿Qué hay de comer?What's there to eat?

Scene — Back at the café

It's afternoon at Café Laurel. Justin sits down while Michael comes over to the table; nothing has been ordered yet.

Yako, a brown yak sitting on two chairs, has a clear view of the bread behind the counter.

Justin is sitting down as Michael approaches the empty café table, while Yako looks toward bread behind the counter.

Learn — Hungry, thirsty, and full

You'll learn six lines for the moments before and after eating. Tap ▶ and say each one aloud.

Keep hungry and thirsty separate: they ask for different things.

  1. Justin tells Michael he is hungry, resting a hand on his stomach and glancing toward the bread.

    Tengo hambre

    I'm hungry

    When to use it: Say this when you feel like eating.

    Say it: The h in hambre is silent: AHM-breh.

  2. Justin tells Michael he is thirsty, lightly touching his throat while the table still has no drinks.

    Tengo sed

    I'm thirsty

    When to use it: Say this when you need a drink.

    Learn this as one piece, just like Tengo hambre.

  3. Michael asks Justin whether he is hungry, looking directly at him with an open questioning gesture.

    ¿Tienes hambre?

    Are you hungry?

    When to use it: Ask a friend whether they feel like eating.

    Tengo tells about you; tienes asks about the person you're speaking to.

  4. With bread now served, Justin praises its taste while holding a bitten piece and smiling at Michael.

    Está rico

    It's good

    When to use it: Say this after tasting food or a drink you like.

    Here, good means tasty.

  5. Justin politely declines more bread from Michael, raising a gentle refusal hand and resting his other hand on his full stomach.

    No, gracias, estoy lleno

    No thanks, I'm full

    When to use it: Politely refuse more food because you've had enough to eat.

    Justin uses lleno to describe himself.

    Say it: The ll in lleno sounds like y: YEH-noh.

  6. Michael asks a café worker what food is available, gesturing toward the food display while Justin and Yako remain at the table.

    ¿Qué hay de comer?

    What's there to eat?

    When to use it: Ask what food is available before choosing anything.

Story — Save some for Yako

Watch how Justin asks about food before choosing anything. He only comments on the taste after taking a bite.

Follow the highlighted lines, and use Show English if you need help.

  1. Michael¿Tienes hambre?Are you hungry?
  2. JustinTengo hambre. Tengo sed.I'm hungry. I'm thirsty.
  3. Justin¿Qué hay de comer?What's there to eat?
  4. MichaelHay pan.There's bread.
  5. JustinQuiero agua y pan.I want water and bread.
  6. Michael brings a glass of water and a bread roll.
  7. MichaelAquí tienes.Here you go.
  8. Justin takes a bite of the bread.
  9. JustinEstá rico.It's good.
  10. After Justin finishes the roll, Michael offers him another.
  11. Michael¿Más pan?More bread?
  12. JustinNo, gracias, estoy lleno.No thanks, I'm full.
  13. Yako raises a hoof before Michael can take the extra roll away.
  14. YakoTengo hambre.I'm hungry.

Practice — Before and after a bite

Ten exercises help you listen, match meanings, and choose what to say. Keep trying or use the skip button.

Each explanation helps you understand the answer.

0 of 10 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    Tengo hambreDrop the English here
    ¿Tienes hambre?Drop the English here
    ¿Qué hay de comer?Drop the English here
    Aquí tienesDrop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its Spanish, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What do you say?

    You've tasted the bread and love its flavor. Tell Michael it tastes good.

  4. What does it mean?

    No, gracias, estoy lleno

  5. What do you say?

    You're thirsty, not hungry. Tell Michael you need a drink without choosing one yet.

  6. True or false?

    This asks whether the other person is hungry.

  7. What do you say?

    You haven't chosen any food yet. Ask Michael what there is to eat.

  8. What does it mean?

    Quiero ___

  9. Fill the gap

    I'm hungry

    Tengo ____

  10. Build the line

    No thanks, I'm full

    , ,

    Tap the words in order.

Say it — Tell Michael what you need

You're Justin, and Michael speaks first. Tap the microphone to answer, or tap ▶ to hear the model line.

You can use the skip button. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. Michael¿Tienes hambre?Are you hungry?
  2. Justin (you)Tell him you're hungry.

    Tengo hambre

    I'm hungry

0 of 6 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
Tengo hambreI'm hungry
Tengo sedI'm thirsty
¿Tienes hambre?Are you hungry?
Está ricoIt's good
No, gracias, estoy llenoNo thanks, I'm full
¿Qué hay de comer?What's there to eat?
Next: lesson 49For here

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Keep these café lines handy with your Yak Cards. Practice saying what you need before choosing anything.

Try recalling hungry, thirsty, and full tomorrow without looking.

Open Yak Cards