1.
feeling of hunger; sensation of an empty stomach
The subjective physical sensation of being hungry. More clinical or objective than simply saying 'hungry,' focusing on the bodily feeling itself.
Composed of 空腹 (empty stomach, hunger) + 感 (feeling, sensation). Treats hunger as a measurable physical sensation rather than a simple state.
Common collocations
- 空腹感を感じる: to feel hunger
- 空腹感を紛らわす: to distract oneself from hunger
- 空腹感が和らぐ: hunger subsides
- 空腹感を抑える: to suppress hunger
Similar words
- 空腹: hunger, empty stomach — the state itself rather than the sensation
- お腹がすく: to get hungry — the most common everyday expression
- 飢え: starvation, hunger — much stronger; implies severe deprivation
- 食欲: appetite — the desire to eat; can exist without actual hunger
Usage
Commonly used in health, diet, and medical contexts. Often appears in discussions about managing appetite, fasting, or distinguishing between genuine hunger and emotional eating.
Related Words
Compare:
飢え (starvation, hunger)
Compare:
食欲 (appetite)
Related:
満腹感 (feeling of fullness)