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Avoir un petit creux

French expressions analyzed and explained

By Laura K. Lawless, About.com Guide


Expression: avoir un petit creux, avoir un creux (dans l'estomac)

Pronunciation: [a vwa roo(n) p(eu) tee creu]

Meaning: to be a little hungry/peckish, to have the munchies

Literal translation: to have a little hollow

Register: informal

Notes: Like avoir faim (the French translation of "to be hungry"), the French expression avoir un (petit) creux requires the verb avoir rather than être. In this case, though, it feels a little more logical: it makes sense that your slight hunger is caused by having a little hollow space in your stomach. Note that creux is also an adjective -- "empty stomach" is le ventre vide.
Any thoughts? Post your comments on my French blog - just hit "comments" at the bottom of the post.

Example:
   J'ai un petit creux - t'as envie de commander une pizza ?
   I'm kind of hungry - want to order a pizza?

More: Expressions with avoir
 

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