空腹

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 空腹 is read as くうふく and is a noun and na-adjective for the state or sensation of having an empty stomach and feeling hungry.
• Basic usage: Remaining without eating appears in 空腹のまま, while noticing hunger appears in 空腹を感じる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• State and sensation
  • 空腹のまま presents hunger as a continuing condition, while 空腹を感じる describes directly sensing it.
• Difference from お腹が空く
  • The meaning is the same, but お腹が空く is a natural sentence pattern in conversation, while the noun 空腹 also suits explanations and records.