What Does “Hunger for sth” Mean?
“Hunger for sth” means to have a strong desire or craving for something, often something non-physical like success, knowledge, or love.
Introduction
The phrase “hunger for sth” is used to describe a deep longing or intense desire for something. This “sth” stands for “something,” which can be anything from power to happiness. The hunger here is not about food but about wanting something strongly. Understanding the “hunger for sth meaning” helps you express emotions like ambition, passion, or need in English. People often say they have a hunger for success or a hunger for learning when they want to show how motivated or eager they are. This phrase is useful in both everyday conversations and formal writing to communicate strong feelings clearly.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: hunger for sth (hunger for something)
- Type: Intransitive + preposition + object
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To want something very much
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Hunger for sth” is an inseparable phrase. You cannot put the object between “hunger” and “for.” The pattern is always:
- Subject + hunger + for + something
- Example: She hungers for knowledge.
It is followed by a noun or noun phrase that shows what the desire is for. “Hunger” here works like a verb but always requires “for” before the object.
How to Use “Hunger for sth”?
Use “hunger for sth” when you want to describe a strong, often emotional desire for something important. It is commonly used in contexts related to ambition, goals, or emotional needs. This phrase can be used in formal writing, speeches, or everyday conversations to express eagerness or passion.
For example, you might say “He hungers for success” to describe someone very ambitious. Or “They hunger for freedom” to show a strong desire for liberty.
Examples
People often talk about their hunger for something when they want to emphasize how much they want it.
- She has a hunger for knowledge that drives her to study every day.
- After years of struggle, he still hungers for recognition in his field.
- The team hungers for victory after their recent losses.
- Many young artists hunger for opportunities to showcase their work.
- We all hunger for love and acceptance in different ways.
These examples show “hunger for sth in a sentence” used to express strong desires clearly.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the word order or preposition when using this phrase.
- Incorrect: She hungers something.
- Correct: She hungers for something.
- Incorrect: He hungers of success.
- Correct: He hungers for success.
Remember, always use “for” after “hunger” and never separate the phrase by putting the object in the middle.
Differences / Synonyms
Other phrases like “crave,” “long for,” or “desire” are similar but have subtle differences.
- Hunger for sth implies a strong, often emotional or urgent desire.
- Crave sth usually refers to a strong desire, often for food or something addictive.
- Long for sth suggests a gentle or wistful desire over a longer time.
- Desire sth is more formal and can be used broadly.
Example: “She hungers for success” sounds more intense than “She longs for success.”
Common Collocations
The phrase “hunger for” is often paired with nouns that express abstract or emotional things.
- Success: A strong desire to achieve goals.
- Knowledge: A deep wish to learn and understand.
- Power: Desire for control or influence.
- Freedom: Wanting independence or liberty.
- Love: Seeking emotional connection or affection.
These collocations help you use the phrase naturally and correctly.
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation showing “hunger for sth” in use:
Anna: Why do you study so hard every day?
Ben: I have a hunger for success. I want to be the best in my field.
Anna: That’s impressive! Your passion really shows.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “hunger for”:
- She __________ (hunger) __________ knowledge to improve her skills.
- They __________ (hunger) __________ freedom after years of oppression.
- He __________ (hunger) __________ recognition for his hard work.
- The artist __________ (hunger) __________ opportunities to display her paintings.
FAQs
- What does “hunger for sth” mean? It means to have a strong desire or longing for something.
- Can I use “hunger for” with food? Usually, “hunger for” is used metaphorically for desires, but it can also mean craving food.
- Is “hunger for” separable? No, it is inseparable; always use “hunger for” together before the object.
- What are some common things people hunger for? Success, knowledge, power, freedom, and love are common objects.
- Is “hunger for” formal or informal? It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
