01
trinken
to drink
To take in a liquid by swallowing it.
example
Es ist wichtig, bei heißem Wetter genug Wasser zu trinken.
It is important to drink enough water in hot weather.
trinken
to drink
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Sentence structure
The verb 'trinken' (to drink) usually needs an accusative object that says what is being drunk. When 'trinken' is used without an object, it often has a special meaning.
EXAMPLE
Ich trinke jeden Morgen einen Kaffee.
I drink a coffee every morning.
Context clue
When 'trinken' (to drink) is mentioned without a specific beverage, in a social context it often means that a person is consuming alcohol. The context makes clear whether the general or the specific meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Er hat gestern Abend zu viel getrunken und hat heute Kopfschmerzen.
He drank too much last night and has a headache today.
Fixed preposition
When you toast someone or something, you use the fixed expression 'auf etwas/jemanden trinken' (to drink to something/someone). The preposition 'auf' takes the accusative here.
EXAMPLE
Wir trinken auf deinen Erfolg!
We're drinking to your success!
Typical phrase
The phrase 'etwas zu trinken' (something to drink) is a very common and useful way to offer or ask for a drink. It is used as a fixed unit.
EXAMPLE
Möchtest du etwas zu trinken haben?
Would you like something to drink?
Compare with
trinken vs essen
to eat
'essen' and 'trinken' both belong to the topic of food and drink and are often learned together. Still, they describe different actions. You use 'essen' for solid food, for example bread, rice, or vegetables. You use 'trinken' for liquids, for example water, tea, or juice. Learners may confuse the words because both mean that you take something in. The simple rule is: you eat solid food, and you drink liquids.
trinken
Nach dem Training hat meine Nachbarin ein großes Glas Wasser getrunken.
After training, my neighbor drank a large glass of water.
essen
In der Mittagspause esse ich ein Sandwich und einen Apfel.
During my lunch break, I eat a sandwich and an apple.
In real life
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