to finish eating / use up
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to finish eating
To eat something completely until nothing is left. Often used as an instruction or request.
Wenn du deinen Teller nicht aufisst, gibt es keinen Nachtisch.
If you don't finish eating what's on your plate, there won't be any dessert.
to use up
To completely use up or consume something immaterial, usually something financial such as savings.
Die unerwarteten Reparaturen haben unsere gesamten Ersparnisse aufgegessen.
The unexpected repairs used up all our savings.
'Aufessen' (to finish eating/use up) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'auf' goes at the end of the sentence. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Er isst immer seinen ganzen Teller auf.
He always finishes everything on his plate.
The prefix 'auf-' strengthens the verb 'essen' (to eat) and means 'completely' or 'to the end'. So the action is completed fully.
Wir haben die ganze Pizza aufgegessen, es ist nichts mehr übrig.
We ate the whole pizza; there is nothing left.
'Aufessen' (to finish eating) is very often used as an imperative, especially when speaking to children. The form is 'Iss auf!' (Finish eating!).
Iss deinen Brokkoli auf, er ist sehr gesund!
Finish your broccoli; it's very healthy!
Besides its literal meaning, 'aufessen' (to use up) is also used figuratively for financial resources. When the object is 'Ersparnisse' (savings), 'Budget' (budget), or 'Geld' (money), it means that these resources have been completely used up.
Die lange Reise hat einen großen Teil unserer Ersparnisse aufgegessen.
The long trip used up a large part of our savings.
to use up
When talking about savings, aufbrauchen is the neutral choice and means that all the money is used up. Aufessen can express the same idea figuratively, presenting the consumption especially vividly as completely devouring something. For a factual statement, aufbrauchen is therefore usually more appropriate; for a figurative formulation, aufessen can also be used.
Die hohen Ausgaben aßen ihre gesamten Ersparnisse auf.
The high expenses ate up all her savings.
Durch die hohen Ausgaben brauchte sie ihre gesamten Ersparnisse auf.
Because of the high expenses, she used up all her savings.
