01
sich ernähren
to eat / to nourish oneself
To consume a particular kind of food; to have a particular diet.
example
Ich versuche, mich ausgewogen und gesund zu ernähren.
I'm trying to eat a balanced and healthy diet.
ernähren
to feed / to nourish
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'ernähren' (to feed / to nourish) is closely related to the noun 'die Nahrung' (food/nourishment). It literally means to provide someone or oneself with food.
EXAMPLE
Gute Nahrung ist wichtig, um den Körper gesund zu ernähren.
Good food is important for nourishing the body in a healthy way.
Reflexive vs. transitive
The use of the reflexive pronoun 'sich' changes the meaning. 'Sich ernähren' (to eat / to nourish oneself) describes one's own diet, while 'jemanden ernähren' (to feed/support someone) means to provide for another person's livelihood.
EXAMPLE
Er ernährt sich hauptsächlich von pflanzlichen Produkten.
He eats mainly plant-based products.
Preposition 'von'
To name the main food source, the construction 'sich ernähren von + dative' is used. This describes what the food mainly consists of.
EXAMPLE
Viele Vögel ernähren sich von Insekten und Würmern.
Many birds feed on insects and worms.
Typical adverbs
To describe the type of diet, 'sich ernähren' is often combined with adverbs such as 'gesund' (healthily), 'ausgewogen' (in a balanced way), 'vegetarisch' (vegetarian), or 'vegan' (vegan).
EXAMPLE
Seit einem Jahr ernährt sie sich komplett vegan.
She has been eating completely vegan for a year.
Compare with
ernähren vs essen
to eat
'essen' and 'ernähren' both have to do with food. 'essen' describes the concrete action: you take in solid food, for example bread, soup, or rice. 'sich ernähren' describes more the way someone generally eats, for example healthily, vegetarian, or irregularly. 'ernähren' without 'sich' can also mean that someone provides others with food or money to live on. Learners confuse the words because both are connected with eating. For a single meal, use 'essen'. For habits or providing support, 'ernähren' fits.
ernähren
Seit dem Arzttermin ernährt sich Herr Yilmaz bewusster.
Since the doctor's appointment, Mr. Yilmaz has been eating more consciously.
essen
Nach der Arbeit esse ich oft eine warme Suppe.
After work, I often eat a warm soup.
In real life
Loading video examples...