Learn French
with Audio Stories

Try for Free

HOME > FRENCH PHRASES

The French phrase "J'ai la dalle" explained

On this page, we are going to explain you all the things you ever wanted to know about the funny French phrase "J'ai la dalle". This include a complete explanation of what it is and how you can use it in a conversation with an audio example. But wait, we also added some useful informations like slow pronunciation audio, synonyms, dialogue example and more!


French to English

  • Translation : I'm starving

  • Register : Informal - Funny - Slang

Audio pronunciation

Slow

Normal

  • IPA : / ʒe la dal /

aesthetic french quote avoir la dalle

Learn French
with Audio Stories

Try for Free

What does j'ai la dalle mean?

Definition

It literally means:

The expression "J'ai la dalle" is useful to say "I am starving" in informal contexts. The word "dalle" is slang for "hunger".

As you may have noticed, in French we don't use "to be hungry" but "to have hunger" instead. For example, the most basic way to say "I am hungry" is "J'ai faim". (Literally: I have hunger)

How to use it

Whenever you are extremely hungry/starving, you can use rather "J'ai la dalle" or "J'ai les crocs" (Which both mean: "I'm starving"). If you just feel a bit hungry, use instead "J'ai un petit creux" (I am a little hungry). 

Beware that all these expressions are informal, especially "J'ai la dalle". For the formal way to express hunger, use "J'ai faim" (I'm hungry). 

Synonyms

Example in a dialogue with French audio

Dialogue

J'ai la dalle, et toi ?

I'm starving, and you?

Non j'ai trop mangé, mais j'ai soif

No, I ate too much, but I'm thirsty

Comme d'habitude...

As usual...

Learn French with Audio Stories

Learn French the easy way with our French - English
parallel texts with slow French audio

Start Learning

← PREVIOUS

Ouep

BACK

To vocabulary list

NEXT →

Je suis à la bourre