Morir de hambre vs. morirse de hambre
The Spanish expressions 'morir de hambre' and 'morirse de hambre' are used to express extreme hunger or starvation. Both phrases are quite similar but can carry a slight difference in tone or emphasis.
Morir de hambre
This phrase literally translates to 'to die of hunger'. It is generally used to express severe hunger or the actual process of starvation.
Si no comemos pronto, voy a morir de hambre
(If we don't eat soon, I am going to die of hunger.)
En esa época, muchas personas llegaron a morir de hambre.
(During that time, many people actually died of hunger.)
Los animales abandonados pueden morir de hambre.
(Abandoned animals can starve to death.)
Morirse de hambre
While this also translates to 'to die of hunger', the reflexive form 'morirse' adds a nuance that often implies urgency or exaggeration, typically used in a figurative sense rather than literally.
¡Apúrate con la comida! Me estoy muriendo de hambre.
(Hurry up with the food! I'm dying of hunger.)
Después de la maratón, me moría de hambre y me comí una pizza entera.
(After the marathon, I was famished and ate an entire pizza.)
Cuando llegamos a casa después del viaje, todos nos moríamos de hambre.
(When we got home after the trip, all of us were starving.)
Summary
Both 'morir de hambre' and 'morirse de hambre' convey a sense of extreme hunger. The former is more likely to be used in a literal or serious context, while the latter is commonly used in everyday language for exaggeration or to stress an urgent craving for food. In essence, while they can sometimes be interchangeable, 'morirse de hambre' tends to be more dramatic or hyperbolic.