to swallow
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to swallow
To move food, liquid, or saliva from the mouth into the esophagus through a movement of the throat muscles.
Man sollte Tabletten immer mit viel Wasser schlucken.
You should always swallow tablets with plenty of water.
'Schlucken' (to swallow) is a transitive verb and almost always needs an accusative object. You always swallow 'etwas' (something).
Das Kind weigerte sich, die bittere Medizin zu schlucken.
The child refused to swallow the bitter medicine.
The different meanings of 'schlucken' (to swallow) are easy to recognize from the object. If it is food or drink (tablet, water), the literal meaning is intended. With abstract things (money, criticism, anger), it has a figurative meaning.
Er musste seinen Stolz schlucken und um Hilfe bitten.
He had to swallow his pride and ask for help.
In the figurative meaning 'verbrauchen' (to consume), 'schlucken' (to consume) is often used for projects or devices that require many resources. Typical objects are 'Geld' (money), 'Zeit' (time), or 'Energie' (energy).
Die Renovierung des alten Hauses schluckt unglaublich viel Zeit und Geld.
The renovation of the old house is consuming an incredible amount of time and money.
When you accept something unpleasant without protesting, 'schlucken' (to swallow) is combined with negative words or feelings. Common phrases are to swallow 'die Wut' (anger), 'den Ärger' (annoyance), 'die Kritik' (criticism), or 'eine Beleidigung' (an insult).
Statt zu antworten, hat sie die Bemerkung einfach geschluckt.
Instead of replying, she simply swallowed the comment.
The use of 'schlucken' (to guzzle) for the high fuel consumption of a vehicle is colloquial. In a more formal context, you would say 'verbrauchen' (to consume).
Dieses große, alte Auto schluckt leider sehr viel Benzin.
Unfortunately, this big old car guzzles a lot of gas.
to eat
'essen' and 'schlucken' can occur in the same situation, but they are not the same thing. 'essen' means the whole action of taking in solid food. This includes, for example, chewing and enjoying the food. 'schlucken' means only the brief moment when something goes from the mouth into the throat. You can swallow food, but also water, saliva, or a tablet. Learners may confuse the words because swallowing can be part of eating. For a meal, you say 'essen'. When it is about the movement in the throat, you say 'schlucken'.
Mein Bruder kann die Tablette nur mit viel Wasser schlucken.
My brother can only swallow the tablet with a lot of water.
Nach dem Arzttermin hat Maria nur etwas Leichtes gegessen.
After the doctor's appointment, Maria ate only something light.