I have always used the term « j’ai très faim », but I am wondering about the grammar. I believe that « faim » is a noun and « très » is an adverb. I guess that there are times when an adverb can modify a noun? Does it then become an adjective? I have just never questioned this before!
Thanks!
Hi Cornelia,
Just to add to Alan's excellent answer I have noticed that 'trop' is used in a similar way by young people - It doesn't mean 'too much' but 'so much' :
J'ai trop envie de voir Rémi= I so want to see Rémi
Ce film est trop bien = This film is sooo good
Hope this helps!
There's a good explanation here, in particular the quoted section from the book "Colloquial French Grammar: A Practical Guide". It suggests that the similar "j'ai très froid" is correct, because "froid" is an adjective, and "j'ai très faim" has become accepted by analogy.
https://french.stackexchange.com/questions/6208/why-is-tr%C3%A8s-used-with-avoir-in-certain-expressions
Thank you both, Alan and Cécile! Fascinating to see how language evolves! The link was very interesting! I just plan to be aware of this in future and be glad that I understand the history of the anomalies!!
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