1.
slight hunger; small appetite; peckishness
A mild feeling of hunger between meals, not enough to warrant a full meal but enough to want a small snack.
小腹が空いた。
I'm a little hungry.
小腹が空いたので、おにぎりを一つ食べた。
I was a bit peckish, so I ate one rice ball.
小腹が空いた時に食べられるように、カバンにお菓子を入れている。
I keep snacks in my bag so I can eat when I get a little hungry.
Literally 'small belly' (小 small + 腹 belly/stomach). Used almost exclusively in the expression 小腹が空く (to be slightly hungry). The 小 prefix softens the degree, distinguishing it from full-on hunger.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 小腹が空く: to be a little hungry
- 小腹が空いた時: when you're a bit peckish
- 小腹を満たす: to satisfy a small hunger
USAGE:
This word is strongly associated with snacking culture. It describes the feeling that leads you to eat a light snack (軽食) or buy something from a convenience store between meals. Very common in advertising for snack foods.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 空腹: hunger, empty stomach — stronger hunger, more formal
- お腹が空く: to be hungry — the general, everyday expression
- 腹ぺこ: starving, famished — casual, emphasizes strong hunger