verbrauchen
Translation
to consume, to use up, to spend
Examples
Wir verbrauchen zu viel Strom.
We consume too much electricity.
Das Auto verbraucht wenig Benzin.
The car uses little gasoline.
Sie hat all ihr Geld verbraucht.
She has used up all her money.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to consume sth. We consume too much water.
Similar Words
Synonyms: konsumieren, aufbrauchen; Antonyms: sparen, produzieren
Etymology
From 'ver-' (prefix implying something is used up or goes away) + 'brauchen' (to need). The idea is to 'need away' something, i.e., to use it up.
Memory Tips
Imagine you 'need' (brauchen) something so much that it's all gone ('ver-'). You've 'consumed' it.