ngo6餓饿
Jyutpingngo6
Yalengoh
Definition
Hungry; starving; feeling a strong desire to eat.
colloquialfoodbody
How it's used
Hunger is almost always expressed using the construction 肚餓, which literally means stomach hungry. While 餓 can stand alone as an adjective, native speakers frequently add 肚 to specify the source of the sensation. Using 餓 alone can sometimes sound slightly more dramatic or intense, as if you are truly starving.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use 餓 as a verb like the English to hunger for, but it is strictly an adjective. If you want to express a craving for something specific, use 恨食 instead of trying to force 餓 into a verbal structure.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
