Meaning

Primary

Empty Stomach

Alternatives

Hunger, Hungry

Word Type

noun, な adjective, の adjective

Explanation

Remember how can also mean empty? Well, an empty belly is an empty stomach.

空腹 is a word that refers to the state of your stomach when it has absolutely nothing in it. Because of this, it's also often used to refer to hunger itself. You can even use it as an adjective to describe a hungry person, though it sounds a little formal or clinical.

Reading

くうふく
  • Miyuki
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 空腹感

    feeling of hunger

    空腹時

    on an empty stomach, when one's stomach is empty

Context Sentences

空腹のせいで、何も考えられなかった。

Because of hunger, I couldn't think clearly.

彼女は空腹を忘れるために歩いた。

She walked to forget her hunger.

空腹と疲労が、彼の判断をにぶらせていた。

His empty stomach and fatigue dulled his judgment.

Kanji Composition