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From what I understand from listening to anime, both mean I'm hungry. But when
do I use them properly? Is one more formal/polite than the other? Or is
neither of them polite/formal enough?

In addition, how do I inform the other party that "I'm hungry let's go eat"
politely?
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2016-09-18T12:35:24.603
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2016-09-20T01:03:14.947
2016-09-20T01:03:14.947
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question
formality
When to use おなかすいた and when to use はらへった?
It's better to only use 「腹が減った」 if you're speaking in all-male company, and to
say 「お腹すいた」 (or it's polite ます form if needed) otherwise.

I remember the times when I said 「みんなさん腹減ってない？」 to a group of Japanese
students, and they all laughed. It's apparently was a 失礼.
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2016-09-18T14:42:44.157
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2016-09-18T14:47:56.023
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To me, "お腹が空いた" sounds normal and polite as compared with "腹が減った," which
sounds informal and sometimes vulgar, depending on the situation.

When you are taking a walk with your friend in downtown, say Asakusa, you may
say "腹が減ったな。めしを食おう." But when you are taking a walk with your teacher or
senpai, you may say "先生 (先輩)、お腹が空きましたね。何か食べて行きましょう."

We have a saying, "お里が知れる - One's birthplace is revealed," meaning "You can
tell what class somebody belongs to from how he / she talks and behaves."

It'd be better not to say "腹へった" to others, unless they're your very close
friends.
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2016-09-19T00:12:43.487
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2016-09-20T00:59:54.140
2016-09-20T00:59:54.140
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answer