hungern
to go hungry
To suffer severe hunger because one does not have enough to eat over a longer period of time.
EXAMPLE
Aufgrund der Dürre hungern viele Menschen in der Region.
Due to the drought, many people in the region are going hungry.
hungern
to go hungry / to hunger / to fast
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Meanings
hungern nach
to hunger for
In a figurative sense, to have a strong desire or great longing for something.
EXAMPLE
Nach Jahren harter Arbeit hungerte der Künstler nach Anerkennung.
After years of hard work, the artist hungered for recognition.
hungern
to fast
To deliberately go without food for a certain period of time, for example for medical or dietary reasons.
EXAMPLE
Vor der Operation musste der Patient zwölf Stunden hungern.
Before the operation, the patient had to fast for twelve hours.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'hungern' (to go hungry / to hunger) is derived directly from the noun 'der Hunger' (hunger). When you have the state of 'Hunger' (hunger), the corresponding action is 'hungern' (to go hungry / to hunger).
EXAMPLE
Nach einem langen Tag ohne Essen hatte ich großen Hunger.
After a long day without food, I was very hungry.
Context clue
The meaning of 'hungern' depends on the context. When it is about poverty or a disaster, it means 'to involuntarily have nothing to eat.' In a medical or dietary context, it means 'to deliberately go without food.'
EXAMPLE
Wegen der schlechten Ernte hungert die Bevölkerung.
Because of the poor harvest, the population is going hungry.
Fixed preposition
In the figurative meaning, 'hungern' is always used with the preposition 'nach' and the dative. It describes a strong desire for something abstract.
EXAMPLE
Der junge Musiker hungert nach Erfolg und Anerkennung.
The young musician hungers for success and recognition.
Compare with
hungern vs verhungern
to starve
Both words can express that someone is very hungry. In this context, „verhungern“ is a colloquial exaggeration and does not necessarily refer to an imminent death; „hungern“ describes actually suffering severely from a prolonged lack of food. Use „verhungern“ casually in everyday situations and „hungern“ for the more serious situation.
hungern
Die Menschen mussten hungern, weil sie über längere Zeit kaum Nahrung hatten.
The people had to go hungry because they had hardly any food for a long time.
verhungern
Ich könnte verhungern, seit dem Frühstück habe ich nichts mehr gegessen.
I could starve; I haven't eaten anything since breakfast.
In real life
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