faim/fɛ̃/
noun · A1 · Frequency 819
nounfeminine
Meanings
hunger
Core literal sense: physical need for food or the feeling of hunger; commonly used in expressions such as avoir faim.
strong desire; craving
Figurative sense referring to a strong desire for something; often used with de, as in expressions meaning a hunger for success.
Examples
Après six heures de randonnée, la faim devenait difficile à supporter.
After six hours of hiking, the hunger was becoming difficult to bear.
La faim l'a réveillé avant le lever du soleil.
Hunger woke him before sunrise.
Sa faim de reconnaissance l'a poussé à accepter ce poste.
His craving for recognition drove him to accept the job.
Collocations
- avoir faimto be hungry
- avoir faim de libertéto hunger for freedom
Common mistakes
avoir la faim
avoir faim
In French, the expression for ‘to be hungry’ is ‘avoir faim’ without an article; ‘avoir la faim’ is incorrect.
faim pour réussir
faim de réussite
The correct collocation for ‘hunger for success’ is ‘faim de réussite’; ‘faim pour réussir’ is incorrect.
Related words
antonymsatiétésatiety, fullness, repletion
nounfeminine
Meanings
hunger
Core literal sense: physical need for food or the feeling of hunger; commonly used in expressions such as avoir faim.
strong desire; craving
Figurative sense referring to a strong desire for something; often used with de, as in expressions meaning a hunger for success.
Examples
Après la randonnée, les faims de toute l'équipe étaient difficiles à calmer.
After the hike, the hunger of the whole team was difficult to calm.
Le buffet devait répondre aux faims de plusieurs centaines de participants.
The buffet had to satisfy the hunger of several hundred participants.
Les faims de réussite ne disparaissent pas toujours avec le succès.
Cravings for success do not always disappear with success.
Les faims de pouvoir ont divisé le conseil municipal.
Cravings for power divided the city council.