schlucken
to swallow
To move food, liquid, or saliva from the mouth into the esophagus through a movement of the throat muscles.
EXAMPLE
Man sollte Tabletten immer mit viel Wasser schlucken.
You should always swallow tablets with plenty of water.
schlucken
to swallow
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Meanings
schlucken
to consume / absorb
In a figurative sense, to consume, take in, or absorb something, often in large amounts. This often refers to money, resources, or also light and sound.
EXAMPLE
Der Bau des neuen Flughafens hat Milliarden an Steuergeldern geschluckt.
The construction of the new airport consumed billions in taxpayers' money.
schlucken
to swallow
To accept or endure something unpleasant, such as an insult or a defeat, without defending oneself or saying anything in response.
EXAMPLE
Er musste die Kritik schlucken, obwohl sie unfair war.
He had to swallow the criticism, even though it was unfair.
schlucken
to guzzle
Informal term for high consumption, especially with vehicles in relation to fuel.
EXAMPLE
Mein altes Auto schluckt auf der Autobahn fast 12 Liter Benzin.
My old car guzzles almost 12 liters of gas on the highway.
Usage tips
Sentence structure and usage
'Schlucken' (to swallow) is a transitive verb and almost always needs an accusative object. You always swallow 'etwas' (something).
EXAMPLE
Das Kind weigerte sich, die bittere Medizin zu schlucken.
The child refused to swallow the bitter medicine.
Context clue
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.
EXAMPLE
Er musste seinen Stolz schlucken und um Hilfe bitten.
He had to swallow his pride and ask for help.
Typical collocations
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).
EXAMPLE
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.
Feelings and words
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).
EXAMPLE
Statt zu antworten, hat sie die Bemerkung einfach geschluckt.
Instead of replying, she simply swallowed the comment.
Register
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).
EXAMPLE
Dieses große, alte Auto schluckt leider sehr viel Benzin.
Unfortunately, this big old car guzzles a lot of gas.
Compare with
schlucken vs akzeptieren
to accept
In the case of a defeat, both words can express that one no longer rejects it. „Akzeptieren“ refers more to consciously acknowledging the fact, while „schlucken“ is colloquial and figurative, emphasizing reluctant endurance without putting up a fight. „Akzeptieren“ fits a neutral statement, while „schlucken“ is often used for the personal hurt involved.
schlucken
Nach dem verlorenen Spiel musste die Mannschaft die Niederlage erst einmal schlucken.
After the lost game, the team had to swallow the defeat for the time being.
akzeptieren
Nach dem verlorenen Spiel musste die Mannschaft die Niederlage akzeptieren.
After the lost game, the team had to accept the defeat.
In real life
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