"Avoir la dalle" - Definition and Pronunciation in French

📖 Definition of the expression “Avoir la dalle”

“Avoir la dalle” simply means to be hungry, to feel like eating something. You can say “vraiment la dalle” to emphasize the feeling and express that you’re really starving.

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🖼 Illustration of “avoir la dalle”

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🗣 Pronunciation in French

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🥳 Usage in casual, informal settings

“J’ai rien mangé depuis hier, j’ai vraiment la dalle” (I haven’t eaten since yesterday, I’m really starving)

“Je viens d’enchainer deux heures de sport, j’ai trop la dalle” (I just did two hours of exercise back to back, I’m so hungry)

“Tu veux pas aller manger maintenant ? J’ai la dalle” (Don’t you want to go eat now? I’m starving)

👩‍💻 Usage in professional, formal settings

The expression “avoir la dalle” should be reserved for friendly and casual environments. You wouldn’t really use it at work, except with colleagues you know well and are close to.

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