Translation of German word "essen" to English
essen
/ˈɛsn̩/
Meaning
VerbTo ingest; to be ingested. To consume (something solid or semi-solid, usually food) by putting it into the mouth and swallowing it.
How to use
The strong verb essen ('to eat') changes its root vowel in singular present: ich esse, du isst, er isst. Past forms: aß, hat gegessen. Do not confuse with fressen (used for animals eating).
🇬🇧 English
to eat
Example
Er isst einen Apfel. / Stör mich jetzt nicht; Kannst du nicht sehen, dass ich esse?
He eats an apple. / Don't bother me now; Can't you see that I'm eating?
Um wie viel Uhr essen wir heute Abend?
What time are we having dinner tonight?
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- zu Mittag essen— to eat lunch / dine
- zu Abend essen— to eat dinner / sup
- gern essen— to like to eat / enjoy eating
More Core Verbs words
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "essen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich habe gegessen
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #188 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "essen"?▼
The German word "essen" is defined as: "To ingest; to be ingested. To consume (something solid or semi-solid, usually food) by putting it into the mouth and swallowing it."
What does the German word "essen" mean?▼
The German word "essen" means "to eat" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "essen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "essen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "essen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Er isst einen Apfel. / Stör mich jetzt nicht; Kannst du nicht sehen, dass ich esse?" (which translates as "He eats an apple. / Don't bother me now; Can't you see that I'm eating?").
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