iss es
In German, "eat it" is expressed as iss es.
The phrase is an imperative used to tell someone to consume a specific piece of food.
What does it mean word for word?
iss is the imperative form of the verb essen (to eat) and es is the pronoun for "it".
How does it change in a sentence?
The way you say "eat it" depends on whom you are addressing: iss es is the singular imperative used for one person informally (the du-form). And essen Sie es is the imperative used for addressing one or more people formally (the Sie-form).
Did you know?
- The word es in iss es is grammatically neuter, which is why the phrase changes if the object being eaten is masculine, like 'the soup' (der Eintopf), becoming iss ihn.
- The German pronoun es descends from the Proto-Germanic *it, while the English 'it' descends from *hit.
- While iss es is a command to consume food, using it with a blunt tone can sound much harsher than the English 'eat it' due to the cultural emphasis on directness in German imperatives.
Examples in context
- Wenn du es nicht magst, dann iss es nicht.If you don't like it, then don't eat it.This sentence is useful for expressing that one does not have to eat something they do not like using iss es.Tatoeba #12379880 by mayabe, translation #1657025 by gleki
- Iss es.Eat it.This sentence is a direct command using iss es.Tatoeba #8597873 by Roujin, translation #4768107 by garborg
- Lass es etwas abkühlen! Iss es nicht, solange es noch heiß ist!Let it cool down a bit. Don't eat it while it's hot.This sentence provides a warning not to use iss es while food is still hot.Tatoeba #9286291 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10748444 by sundown
- Herr Schmidt, bitte essen Sie es.Herr Schmidt, please eat it.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah has prepared a snack for Felix.
- SarahHier ist dein Apfel. Iss es jetzt!Here is your apple. Eat it now!
- FelixIch habe gerade keinen Hunger.I'm not hungry right now.
- SarahEs ist gesund, also iss es bitte.It is healthy, so please eat it.
- FelixNa gut, ich esse es.Alright, I'll eat it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries es, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
