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der Hunger
hunger
The physical feeling you have when you need to eat.
example
Nach der langen Wanderung hatte ich einen riesigen Hunger.
After the long hike, I was extremely hungry.
der Hunger
hunger
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'der Hunger' (hunger) belongs to a word family with the adjective 'hungrig' (hungry, describing the feeling) and the verb 'hungern' (to go hungry / to suffer from hunger).
EXAMPLE
Nach einem langen Tag war er sehr hungrig.
After a long day, he was very hungry.
Typical collocation
To express the physical feeling, German uses the fixed phrase 'Hunger haben' (to be hungry, literally: to have hunger). A person 'has' hunger in German; they are not hunger.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe seit dem Frühstück nichts gegessen und habe jetzt großen Hunger.
I haven't eaten anything since breakfast, and now I'm very hungry.
Preposition 'nach'
When 'Hunger' (hunger) describes a strong desire, it is almost always used with the preposition 'nach' and a noun in the dative. This pattern shows what the desire is directed toward.
EXAMPLE
Er hat einen unstillbaren Hunger nach neuem Wissen.
He has an insatiable hunger for new knowledge.
Context clue
In the meaning 'Hungersnot' (famine), 'Hunger' is often used without an article or in connection with geographic regions or crises. It then describes a social problem, not a personal feeling.
EXAMPLE
Viele Organisationen kämpfen gegen den Hunger in der Welt.
Many organizations are fighting hunger in the world.
Compare with
Hunger vs Sehnsucht
longing
'der Hunger' and 'die Sehnsucht' can both express a strong desire. In this meaning, 'Hunger' often sounds active and strong, for example a hunger for knowledge or success. 'Sehnsucht' is usually more personal and emotional. It fits when something or someone is far away, lost, or hard to reach. The words can be confused because both express more than a normal wish. As a guide: 'Hunger nach' is more likely to fit goals and things you want to achieve. 'Sehnsucht nach' is more likely to fit people, places, or a state that you miss.
Hunger
Nach dem ersten Erfolg wurde sein Hunger nach Anerkennung noch größer.
After his first success, his hunger for recognition grew even stronger.
Sehnsucht
Im Winter hat Lisa oft Sehnsucht nach dem Meer.
In winter, Lisa often longs for the sea.
In real life
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