consumo
/kon-SOO-mo/
consumption
The apple shows the consumption or the amount used of a piece of fruit.
consumo(noun)
consumption
?the amount of something used
use
?of resources like electricity or gas
,intake
?referring to food or drinks
📝 In Action
Debemos reducir el consumo de plástico.
A2We must reduce plastic consumption.
Este coche tiene un consumo muy bajo.
B1This car has very low fuel consumption (it's fuel-efficient).
El consumo de energía sube en invierno.
A2Energy use goes up in winter.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'el' with consumo
This is a masculine word. Always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not just for eating
Mistake: "Using it only for food."
Correction: Use it for anything that gets 'used up,' like electricity, gas, or money.
⭐ Usage Tips
Household bills
When you look at a utility bill in Spanish, look for the word 'consumo' to see how much energy or water you used.
The bird's action shows the present act of consuming food.
consumo(verb)
I consume
?present action of using something
I use up
?depleting a resource
📝 In Action
Yo no consumo mucha carne.
A2I don't consume (eat) much meat.
Consumo mucha electricidad con el aire acondicionado.
B1I use a lot of electricity with the air conditioning.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'I' form
In the present tense, 'consumo' specifically means 'I consume.' You don't need to say 'yo' because the ending '-o' already tells us you're talking about yourself.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The accent mark trap
Mistake: "Writing 'consumó' when you mean 'I consume'."
Correction: Consumo (no accent) means 'I consume' (now). Consumió or Consumó means 'he/she/it consumed' (past). Pay attention to that last letter!
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: consumo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence means 'I consume too much sugar'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'consumo' always mean eating?
No! While it can mean eating or drinking, it is very commonly used for using electricity, spending money, or using up any kind of resource.
How do I know if 'consumo' is 'I consume' or 'the consumption'?
Look at the words around it. If it has 'el' or 'un' before it, it's 'the consumption.' If it follows 'yo' or starts the sentence as an action, it's 'I consume.'