an|fressen
Translation
to corrode, to eat away at, to start eating, to put on weight
Examples
Der Rost frisst das Metall an.
The rust is corroding the metal.
Die Raupe hat das Blatt angefressen.
The caterpillar has started eating the leaf.
Er hat sich einen Bauch angefressen.
He has eaten his way to a belly.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) an|fressen to corrode (sth.) The rust is corroding the metal.
sich3 ((sth.)) an|fressen to eat one's way to (sth.) He has eaten his way to a belly.
Similar Words
annagen (to gnaw at), korrodieren (to corrode), zunehmen (to gain weight)
Etymology
Composed of 'an-' (on, at) and 'fressen' (to eat voraciously). It means to 'eat at' or 'eat onto'.
Memory Tips
Picture something starting to eat 'at' ('an-') a surface, like corrosion on a car, or someone adding 'on' ('an-') weight by eating ('fressen').