German word

verzehren

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtseːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbeat

Example

Ich verzehre nur Joghurt zum Frühstück.

I only eat yogurt for breakfast.

Illustration for verzehren (eat)

More examples

Vor dem Autofahren sollte man keinen Alkohol verzehren.

Before driving, you should not consume alcohol.

Core concept

Food is consumed piece by piece until nothing remains of the portion.

Common phrases

  • Alkohol verzehren

    consume alcohol

  • Speisen verzehren

    eat food

  • im Restaurant verzehren

    eat at a restaurant

Similar words

essen: To eat food in ordinary everyday situations.
konsumieren: To consume food or resources, especially in formal or official contexts.
verschlingen: To eat something quickly and hungrily until none remains.
genießen: To eat slowly while taking pleasure in the taste and atmosphere.

Definition in German

etwas, meist Nahrung, mit dem Mund aufnehmen und dadurch verbrauchen

Word origin

The verb comes from Middle High German verzern, formed with ver- from the older verb zehren, which referred to consuming or wasting away.

Usage tips

  • Verzehren takes a direct object in standard usage, as in Ich verzehre nur Joghurt, while essen is the usual choice in casual speech.

Other meanings

  • devourverb
  • consumeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Verzehrconsumptionnoun
  • verzehrendconsumingadjective

Word lists with this word