fressen
Translation
to eat (of animals), to devour, to guzzle, to corrode
Examples
Der Hund frisst sein Futter.
The dog is eating its food.
Er frisst wie ein Schwein.
He eats like a pig.
Rost frisst sich durch das Metall.
Rust is eating through the metal.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to eat sth. (of animals) The cat is eating a mouse.
sich ((durch sth.)) to eat through sth. The beetle is eating through the wood.
Similar Words
Synonyms: verschlingen (to devour), vertilgen (to exterminate/devour); Antonym: essen (to eat, for humans)
Etymology
From Old High German 'frezzan', related to 'essen' (to eat) but with a prefix implying intensity or completion.
Memory Tips
Remember: 'fressen' is for animals, 'essen' is for people. Calling a person 'fressen' is an insult, like saying they eat like an animal.