Spanish word

consumir

Pronunciation

IPA/konsuˈmiɾ/

Meaning

  • verbconsume

Example

En verano, las familias consumen mucha electricidad.

During the summer, families consume a lot of electricity.

Illustration for consumir (consume)

More examples

Hay que evitar consumir bebidas azucaradas en exceso.

You should avoid consuming sugary drinks in excess.

Core concept

Nearly empty fuel tank.

Common phrases

  • consumir energía

    use energy

  • consumir alimentos

    ingest food

  • consumir alcohol

    drink alcohol

  • consumir recursos

    deplete resources

Similar words

gastar: Pay out or deplete money or resources through consumption or expenses.
usar: Employ something as a means to do a job or fulfil a purpose.
agotar: Deplete inventory or bodily energy completely, leaving none left.
desperdiciar: Waste a resource by using it inefficiently or without purpose.

Definition in Spanish

Usar, gastar o agotar algo hasta que ya no quede; también ingerir o tomar una sustancia o alimento.

Word origin

From Latin consumere 'completely take' (con- 'completely' + sumere 'take'), via medieval Spanish to modern consumir with senses of using up resources and ingesting substances.

Usage tips

  • For spending money Spanish speakers usually use gastar, and for everyday eating prefer comer, while consumir commonly describes fuel, energy, alcohol, or formal reference to intake.

Other meanings

  • ingestverb
  • use upverb
  • depleteverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word