hast du gegessen?
In German, "did you eat" is translated as hast du gegessen?
This phrase is a question used to ask if someone has consumed a meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase hast du gegessen? literally translates to "have you eaten?", as German uses the present perfect tense to express the English simple past in this context. The word gegessen is the past participle of the verb essen (to eat).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Austria, the variation Hobn's g'essen? may be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes from hast du gegessen? to haben Sie gegessen? when addressing someone formally.
Did you know?
- The verb essen is used in German for human consumption, but if you are talking about animals eating, you would likely use the verb fressen instead.
- German has a specific verb frühstücken for eating breakfast, meaning you rarely ask hast du gegessen? in the morning.
- The word du is a direct relative of the archaic English word 'thou'. Both descended from a common Proto-Germanic ancestor.
Examples in context
- Wo hast du gegessen?Where did you eat?This sentence is useful for asking where the person hast du gegessen?Tatoeba #7372891 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2273935 by CK
- Was hast du gegessen?What did you eat?This sentence is useful for asking what the person hast du gegessen? to eat.Tatoeba #604293 by Dejo, translation #1830499 by CK
- Wieviel Obst hast du gegessen?How much fruit did you eat?This sentence is useful for asking how much fruit the person hast du gegessen?Tatoeba #11306392 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9337211 by sundown
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas meet after work.
- HannahHallo Lukas, hast du gegessen?Hello Lukas, did you eat?
- LukasNein, ich habe noch nichts gegessen.No, I haven't eaten anything yet.
- HannahMöchtest du jetzt mit mir essen?Would you like to eat with me now?
- LukasJa, das ist eine gute Idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
