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
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
trinken
to drink
To consume alcoholic beverages regularly or excessively.
EXAMPLE
Seit er seinen Job verloren hat, trinkt er leider zu viel.
Since he lost his job, he unfortunately drinks too much.
auf etwas trinken
to drink to
To toast a person or event with a drink in order to congratulate or celebrate.
EXAMPLE
Lasst uns auf das Brautpaar trinken!
Let's drink to the bride and groom!
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 leeren
to empty
„Trinken“ neutrally describes someone consuming a drink without emphasizing how long it takes or whether they finish it. „Leeren“ can colloquially mean drinking a beverage completely, often quickly. Use „trinken“ for the process and „leeren“ when the glass is meant to become completely empty.
trinken
Beim Abendessen trank Lara ihr Glas Wein langsam.
Lara drank her glass of wine slowly during dinner.
leeren
Nach dem Essen leerte Lara ihr Glas Wein in wenigen Zügen.
After dinner, Lara emptied her glass of wine in a few gulps.
In real life
Loading video examples...