to fast
Loading your saved state.
to fast
To voluntarily abstain from food or certain foods and drinks for a specific period of time, often for religious or health reasons.
Im Christentum fasten viele Menschen in der Zeit vor Ostern.
In Christianity, many people fast in the period before Easter.
to fast
In a figurative sense, to consciously give up something pleasant or a habit, for example social media, alcohol, or television.
Ich versuche, eine Woche lang digital zu fasten und mein Smartphone auszuschalten.
I'm trying to do a digital fast for a week and turn off my smartphone.
Careful: the German verb 'fasten' means not to eat. It is a false friend of the English verb 'to fasten', which means 'befestigen' (to attach/secure) or 'anschnallen' (to buckle up).
Viele Muslime fasten während des Ramadan.
Many Muslims fast during Ramadan.
'Fasten' (to fast) is usually used without an object because it describes the general act of not eating. You simply say 'Ich faste' (I am fasting).
Er fastet eine Woche lang, um seinen Körper zu entgiften.
He fasts for a week to detox his body.
The verb is often used in connection with religion or health. Typical phrases are 'aus religiösen Gründen fasten' (to fast for religious reasons) or 'aus gesundheitlichen Gründen fasten' (to fast for health reasons).
Mein Arzt hat mir empfohlen, aus gesundheitlichen Gründen zu fasten.
My doctor recommended that I fast for health reasons.
In its figurative meaning, 'fasten' (to fast) often becomes part of new compound words. Examples are 'Digitalfasten' (giving up digital media) or 'Konsumfasten' (giving up shopping/consumption).
Eine Woche Digitalfasten hat mir sehr gutgetan.
A week of digital fasting did me a lot of good.
to give up / to do without
Both words can describe consciously giving up something pleasant. „Verzichten“ is general and fits many decisions; „fasten“ describes giving something up for a limited period, often food or a habit, especially for religious or health reasons. For such a special practice, „fasten“ is more precise.
Sie fastet während des Ramadan auf Alkohol und andere Getränke.
During Ramadan, she is fasting from alcohol and other drinks.
Sie verzichtet während der Reise auf Alkohol.
She is giving up alcohol during the trip.
