"keen hunger" is a noun phrase.
/kiːn ˈhʌŋɡər/
"Keen hunger" refers to a strong or intense feeling of hunger. It conveys a sense of sharpness or urgency in the desire to eat. This phrase is often used to express not just a physical sensation but also a deep craving for food, indicating that the feeling is difficult to ignore. The term can be found in both oral and written contexts, although it may appear more frequently in literary or descriptive writing, given its expressive nature.
After skipping breakfast, I felt a keen hunger that made my stomach growl loudly.
(Después de saltarme el desayuno, sentí un gran hambre que hizo que mi estómago gruñera fuertemente.)
The long hike left us overcoming with a keen hunger for a hearty meal.
(La larga caminata nos dejó con un gran hambre por una comida sustanciosa.)
The smell of freshly baked bread stirred a keen hunger in her that she could no longer resist.
(El aroma del pan recién horneado despertó en ella un gran hambre que ya no pudo resistir.)
While "keen hunger" does not feature heavily in widely recognized idiomatic expressions, the term "keen" is often linked to a few other phrases that convey intensity. Here are a few expressions using "keen":
Keen as mustard - This expression describes someone who is very enthusiastic or eager.
"He is as keen as mustard about starting his new job."
(Él está muy entusiasmado por comenzar su nuevo trabajo.)
Keen eye - Refers to someone who is very observant and perceptive.
"She has a keen eye for design."
(Ella tiene un ojo agudo para el diseño.)
Keen interest - This means having a strong interest or enthusiasm in something.
"He has a keen interest in learning new languages."
(Él tiene un gran interés en aprender nuevos idiomas.)
Keen sense - Refers to highly developed intuition or awareness.
"She has a keen sense of what people are feeling."
(Ella tiene un agudo sentido de lo que sienten las personas.)
Keen as mustard: Despite the rain, the kids were as keen as mustard to play outside.
(A pesar de la lluvia, los niños estaban muy entusiasmados por jugar afuera.)
Keen eye: The photographer's keen eye captured the beauty of the moment perfectly.
(El ojo agudo del fotógrafo capturó la belleza del momento perfectamente.)
Keen interest: The student showed a keen interest in science from an early age.
(El estudiante mostró un gran interés por la ciencia desde temprana edad.)
Keen sense: His keen sense of timing made him an excellent performer.
(Su agudo sentido del tiempo lo convirtió en un excelente intérprete.)
The word "keen" comes from the Old English "cene," meaning brave or bold, and has evolved to signify something sharp or intense. The word "hunger" derives from the Old English "hungor," which refers to a strong desire for food. The combination "keen hunger" thus evokes an intense, almost passionate craving for sustenance.