German word

verbrauchen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈbʁaʊ̯xən/

Meaning

  • verbuse

Example

Ich verbrauche jeden Monat viel Strom.

I use a lot of electricity every month.

Illustration for verbrauchen (use)

More examples

Beim Kochen wird oft viel Gas verbraucht.

A lot of gas is often consumed when cooking.

Core concept

A measured supply steadily shrinks as it is used, perhaps until nothing remains.

Common phrases

  • Strom verbrauchen

    consume electricity

  • Energie verbrauchen

    consume energy

  • Ressourcen verbrauchen

    consume resources

Similar words

benutzen: Use a tool or object for a particular purpose without necessarily consuming it.
verwenden: Use an item or method for a purpose suited to it.
aufbrauchen: Use an available supply completely, leaving nothing behind.
konsumieren: Consume goods or services, especially as a customer or user.

Definition in German

etwas durch Gebrauch so verwenden, dass dessen Vorrat reduziert oder vollständig aufgebraucht wird; betont oft den Verbrauch einer messbaren Menge

Word origin

Verbrauchen combines ver- with brauchen, a verb historically meaning to need or use, and developed the resultative sense of using a supply up.

Usage tips

  • Verbrauchen is used for resources such as fuel, electricity, and food, while benutzen is more typical for a tool or object that remains.

Other meanings

  • use upverb
  • consumeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Verbrauchconsumptionnoun
  • der Verbraucherconsumernoun
  • verbrauchsintensivhigh-consumptionadjective

Word lists with this word