Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'consume'

English Word: consume

Key Russian Translations:

• потреблять [pətrʲɪˈblʲatʲ] - [Formal, General Use]
• есть [jestʲ] - [Informal, Used for food]
• употреблять [ʊpətrʲɪˈblʲatʲ] - [Neutral, Often for food or drink]

Frequency: Medium (varies by context and translation)

Difficulty: потреблять - B2 (Intermediate); есть - A1 (Beginner); употреблять - B1 (Intermediate)

Pronunciation (Russian):

потреблять: [pətrʲɪˈblʲatʲ]

Note on потреблять: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "р" sound is rolled, which may be challenging for non-native speakers.

есть: [jestʲ]

Note on есть: Simple pronunciation, but the soft "с" sound requires attention.

употреблять: [ʊpətrʲɪˈblʲatʲ]

Note on употреблять: Similar to потреблять, with stress on the third syllable.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. To use up a resource (e.g., energy, time)

Translation(s) & Context:

• потреблять - Commonly used in formal contexts for consumption of resources like energy or goods.

Usage Examples:

• Этот завод потребляет много электроэнергии.

  This factory consumes a lot of electricity.

• Мы потребляем слишком много природных ресурсов.

  We consume too many natural resources.

• Техника потребляет меньше энергии в режиме ожидания.

  The device consumes less energy in standby mode.

2. To eat or drink

Translation(s) & Context:

• есть - Informal, used specifically for eating food.
• употреблять - Neutral, can refer to eating or drinking, often with a focus on intake (e.g., alcohol, specific foods).

Usage Examples:

• Я хочу есть что-нибудь сладкое.

  I want to eat something sweet.

• Он употребляет много кофе каждый день.

  He consumes a lot of coffee every day.

• Некоторые люди не употребляют мясо.

  Some people do not consume meat.

• Ты уже ел сегодня?

  Have you eaten today?

Russian Forms/Inflections:

потреблять (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation in present, past, and future tenses.

Person	Present Tense
Я (I)	потребляю
Ты (You, singular)	потребляешь
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	потребляет
Мы (We)	потребляем
Вы (You, plural)	потребляете
Они (They)	потребляют

есть (verb, imperfective): Irregular verb with unique forms, primarily used for eating.

употреблять (verb, imperfective): Regular conjugation, similar to потреблять.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for потреблять (formal, resources):

• использовать
• расходовать

Note: "использовать" is broader and can mean "to use," while "расходовать" emphasizes expenditure.

Synonyms for есть (informal, food):

• кушать (more polite)

Antonyms:

• производить (to produce, opposite of потреблять)

Related Phrases:

• потреблять в пищу - To consume as food (formal expression).
• употреблять алкоголь - To consume alcohol (common collocation).
• есть на ходу - To eat on the go (informal idiom).

Usage Notes:

• "потреблять" is typically used in formal or technical contexts, such as discussing resource consumption. It is less common in casual speech.
• "есть" is the go-to word for eating in everyday conversation but should not be used for non-food contexts.
• "употреблять" often implies a deliberate or habitual intake (e.g., food, drink, or drugs) and can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation depending on context.
• When choosing between these translations, consider the formality of the situation and whether the consumption involves food or abstract resources.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "есть" for non-food consumption (e.g., "Я ем электричество" for "I consume electricity").
  Correction: Use "потреблять" instead: "Я потребляю электричество."
• Error: Overusing "потреблять" in casual speech about food (e.g., "Я потребляю суп").
  Correction: Use "есть": "Я ем суп."

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the act of eating ("есть") is often associated with communal or family settings. Invitations to eat or share food are common expressions of hospitality. Using overly formal terms like "потреблять" in such contexts may sound unnatural or distant.

Related Concepts:

• пища (food)
• ресурсы (resources)
• расход (expenditure)