essen
/ˈɛsən/
The English phrase "eat food" is translated into German as essen.
The word essen means to put food into the mouth and swallow it. In German, essen can function as both the verb meaning "to eat" and as the noun meaning "food" (though the noun form Essen is capitalized).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb essen is irregular. In the third person singular present tense, the stem vowel changes to i, resulting in isst. The simple past tense form is aß, and the past participle is gegessen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɛsən/
Did you know?
- The German language distinguishes between eating food for humans, essen, and animals eating, which uses the verb fressen.
- While English uses the word 'eat' for almost any food, German speakers often switch between essen and more specific verbs like speisen when they want to sound much more formal or elegant.
- The verb essen shares the exact same linguistic ancestor as the English word 'eat', meaning they are distant cousins from the same prehistoric root.
Examples in context
- Wie oft isst du Essen, das du nicht magst?How often do you eat food you don't like?This sentence is useful for asking about eating food that one does not like using the form essen.Tatoeba #6611608 by Felixjp, translation #3154855 by CK
- Ich sollte nichts essen, das Zucker enthält.I shouldn't eat food that has sugar in it.This sentence is useful for discussing not eating food that contains sugar using the form essen.Tatoeba #12408983 by mayabe, translation #252307 by CK
- Kann man Essen, das auf den Boden gefallen ist, noch verzehren?Can you still eat food that's fallen on the floor?This sentence is useful for asking if one can still consume food that has fallen on the floor using the form Essen.Tatoeba #3444047 by freddy1, translation #3444349 by patgfisher
- Das Essen ist fertig! Schlemm los!The food is ready! Dig in!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are at home in the evening.
- LukasLaura, willst du etwas essen?Laura, do you want to eat something?
- LauraJa, ich habe großen Hunger.Yes, I am very hungry.
- LukasIch kann für uns kochen.I can cook for us.
- LauraDas wäre toll, danke Lukas!That would be great, thanks Lukas!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry essen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries essen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
