consumir
/konsuˈmiɾ/
To consume in Spanish is consumir.
The verb consumir is used to describe the act of consuming resources, goods or energy. While it can be used to mean 'to eat', it is more frequently applied in a formal or economic sense. For the physical act of eating food, the standard word is usually comer.
Meaning: eat (verb)
Which one should you use?
While consumir can refer to eating, it is often used for the consumption of resources or products. In contrast, comer is the standard, everyday way to describe the physical act of eating food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use the verb tomar to express the consumption of drinks.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present indicative form is consumo (I consume/I am consuming), and the third-person singular preterite form is consumió (he/she/it consumed).
How do you pronounce it?
/konsuˈmiɾ/
When do people say it?
To express the act of excessive consumption, particularly of food or drink, you can use the phrase darse un atracón (to gorge oneself).
Did you know?
- Although consumir means 'to consume', the reflexive form consumirse is often used to describe someone wasting away from grief or passion.
- In a culinary context, the word consumé is used to describe a clarified, concentrated soup, borrowing the term from French.
- The Latin ancestor of consumir actually stems from the verb 'sumere', which originally meant 'to take up' or 'to take up a task'.
Examples in context
- Hay que consumir menos y socializar más.We have to consume less and socialize more.This sentence demonstrates the use of consumir in a context of consumption and socialization.Tatoeba #14019899 by Seael, translation #14019905 by frpzzd
- Ser es consumir.To be is to consume.This sentence uses consumir to create a philosophical statement about existence.Tatoeba #1264598 by Shishir, translation #9741528 by DJ_Saidez
- ¿Consumir es ser?Is to consume to be?This sentence uses consumir in a questioning manner regarding the relationship between consumption and being.Tatoeba #1264599 by Shishir, translation #12096566 by shekitten
- Voy a tomar un refrescoI am going to have a soda.
- Consumo muchas frutas y verduras.I consume a lot of fruits and vegetables.
- Él consume una cantidad considerable de energía todos los días.He consumes a considerable amount of energy every day.
- Deberíamos consumir menos azúcar para llevar un estilo de vida más saludable.We should consume less sugar for a healthier lifestyle.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a healthy diet.
- SofíaDebes consumir más verduras cada día.You should eat more vegetables every day.
- JavierLo sé, pero no me gustan mucho.I know, but I don't like them very much.
- SofíaSi consumes espinacas, tendrás más energía.If you eat spinach, you will have more energy.
- JavierEstá bien, voy a intentar comerlas.Alright, I am going to try to eat them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “consume” translations and entries consumir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries consumir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
