Word Detail

The Japanese word 飢餓 きが (kiga) primarily means "famine," "starvation," or "hunger." It refers to a severe shortage of food, leading to malnutrition, emaciation, and potential death. It can also describe a prolonged state of physical suffering due to a lack of necessary nutrients. The word encompasses both the state of being starved and the broader societal consequences of food scarcity.

⚫︎ 世界中で飢餓が問題になっている。 Translation: Famine is a problem worldwide. ⚫︎ 飢餓により多くの人々が亡くなった。 Translation: Many people died due to starvation. ⚫︎ 彼は長期間の飢餓に苦しんだ。 Translation: He suffered from prolonged starvation.

This word is used in formal and informal contexts to discuss situations related to food shortages, lack of nourishment, and the resulting physical suffering. It's often used in news reports, academic discussions, and conversations about global issues, historical events, or personal experiences. It's a serious term, reflecting a severe and often tragic situation.

The word is most commonly written with the kanji 飢餓. The reading is きが. The hiragana reading is きが. There are no significant variations in okurigana (the suffix hiragana) for this word.

⚫︎ 餓死 (gashi) - starvation (resulting in death) ⚫︎ 食糧難 (shokuryō-nan) - food shortage ⚫︎ 貧困 (hinkon) - poverty (which can lead to starvation)

⚫︎ 飽食 (hōshoku) - gluttony, overeating ⚫︎ 豊作 (hōsaku) - good harvest, abundant crop ⚫︎ 食料供給 (shokuryō kyōkyū) - food supply

アフリカの一部の地域では、深刻な飢餓が続いています。 ・Translation: In some regions of Africa, severe famine continues. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights the ongoing issue of famine in a specific geographical location.

飢餓は、紛争や自然災害によって引き起こされることが多い。 ・Translation: Famine is often caused by conflicts and natural disasters. ・Explanation: This sentence explains some of the common causes that can lead to famine.

The word 飢餓 is composed of two kanji: 飢 (ki), meaning "hunger" or "starvation," and 餓 (ga), also meaning "hunger" or "starvation," especially to the point of death. The combination of these two characters emphasizes the severity of the condition.