consumir
“consumir” means “to consume” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to consume
Also: to use up, to buy
📝 In Action
Este coche consume mucha gasolina.
A2This car consumes a lot of gas.
Debemos consumir más frutas y verduras.
A2We should consume more fruits and vegetables.
La industria consume gran parte de la energía del país.
B1Industry uses up a large part of the country's energy.
to waste away
Also: to be consumed by
📝 In Action
La culpa lo está consumiendo poco a poco.
B2Guilt is slowly consuming him.
El fuego consumió el viejo edificio en minutos.
B2The fire destroyed the old building in minutes.
Se consumió por la tristeza después de la noticia.
C1He wasted away with sadness after the news.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: consumir
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly describes a car's fuel use?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'consumere', which combines 'con-' (altogether) and 'sumere' (to take). It literally meant 'to take up completely' or 'to use up'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'consumir' only for food?
No! While it can mean to eat or drink, it's very frequently used for electricity, gas, time, and money.
What is the difference between 'gastar' and 'consumir'?
'Gastar' is usually for spending money or wearing out shoes/clothes. 'Consumir' is for things that get 'used up' and disappear, like fuel, food, or energy.
Does it have a special meaning in economics?
Yes, 'el consumo' refers to the total amount of goods and services bought by people in an economy.